Tim Talk

you're quite insane

You know, as rudely as you put it, you still made a point.

Of course, I saw the film differently than that but I think it's a very interesting comparison you made, about a beautiful, sexy, stupid male being the equivalent to the dumb blond.

I agreed. I mean, I NEVER understood all the fuss about Mel Gibson. He just isn't that attractive, but seeing him so young with blue eyes and a perfect body, I kind of get it now. And I agree with your point about the disability become an "erotic feature." I really did wonder about their relationship. I mean, one minute she's like his mother and the next they're kissing. How did he REALLY feel about that. Did he understand it really? I mean, I guess they were saying that he did, but they could have gone into a little more depth on his feelings about such a giant and most definitely confusing step for something like that.

You know, while we're on the subject, I fell for a mentally retarded boy at school BEFORE knowing he was retarded. He was just extremely attractive! I had no idea. So, I told someone and then they told someone and the next thing I know I have this squeaky-voiced retard chasing me around trying to snag his first girlfriend. Oh well... it's a funny story at least.
But dude, if he hadn't talked a little funny, and was as smart as Tim, I probably would have married him if we were older and stuff. lol.

But, also, I think they were making that point in the film with the sister's anger at Mary. She thought she was just after him for the pleasure of having an obedient, sexy guy at her beck and call. I'm not sure of all the details of Mary's feelings or motives so I guess I should go read the book and get a little more filled in.

And you know, I was thinking if they did a remake without the silly clothes and hair, it wouldn't be the same because movie people just aren't real enough. I mean, obviously Tim was in unusually good shape (for someone who loved sweets and probably never did anything like weight training)but still his body looked real. Today they'd be all tanned to perfection and smooth as ice cream and have their torso shaped to exactly the right contours and all that *beep* It would be totally unattractive. I'm sure a thousand 12 year old girls would like it, but for me, I prefer the natural, yet lean look.

Anyway, now I'm just rambling.







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Nothing Gold Can Stay

And what's wrong with having a Dimbo pulling your weeds? It's not a romance in the traditional sense, but they both need each other and it works. Tim is a fox, Mary pays the bills, and they don't fight over politics - seems perfect.

You obviously have not spent any time with retarded folks. In working at a center for helping them become more independent and cautious, as people constantly try and take advantage of them, especially financially, we are warned to be very business like and sterile around them, because it is true, once they see you as a love interest, they will not be deterred. They see no barriers of race, age, or public opinion.

The story was told with great care to include details of the view of the parents. So many people have no idea what it is to have such a child and to worry about them, especially after you are gone, who will watch out for them, protect them from predators, help them get along; what they go through to put money away for them for after they have gone.

Piper Laurie was a surprise to me in this role, she was very good, believable, her character being a workaholic, at first saw Tim as a sort of child, felt, as many do, that teaching him to read or use money will in the end help him, but her character was also lonely and hadn't recieved advice from anybody that to Tim, this was a gesture of affection, for often times they are also lonely. The public's opinion in this area can be shocking and disgusting, a young girl lured by a boy she has developed feelings for, to a place where he and several boys rape her. Young men who are convinced that another boy is their friend and end up being beaten up and robbed by a group of boys "for fun."

This film was well done, the roles played very well, I found it touching and real. I wish more people like Tim ended up so well. Tim was not doing what he did as blind obedience, he did what he did because he loved her, and because of the way he was, would do so for the rest of his life. It's what most of us say we want, yet our own selfishness, unresolved issues, and fear that it will end make us undermine this happily ever after. Usually, mentally retarded people bring no such problems with them.

I guess if you've not seen true child-like devotion it could seem all made up. Ignorance in our society around this issue is huge.

Tim was well played, his parents were done to perfection, and the sister was as selfish as concerned. Piper Laurie did a wonderful job, as usual. I'm sorry the film was not better received, I thought it was very good, easily an 8 out of 10 for me. But then we all bring our own life experience to the films we watch don't we.