MovieChat Forums > Music Box (1990) Discussion > Would You Defend You Parent?

Would You Defend You Parent?

posted 19 years ago by domino1003
30 replies | jump to latest

To fans of "Music Box," an interesting question to pose on you.

Annie Lazlo defends her father against war crimes, despite pleas from friends and colleagues not to do it. It made me decide to post a question to you.

If your parent, whether mother or father, committed a horrible crime (Like sexual assault, murder, or a war crime), and you were a lawyer, would you defend your parent? What would be your reason to do it or not do it? BE HONEST. And consider this: You will find out many things about your parent that you may not want to know.

"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] domino1003 19 years ago

Hello young man! And don't worry about your bad English.

Believe me, I thought long and hard about that question when I first posted this question. It is a toughie.

Both of my parents are gone (My dad in Dec. 1999, my mother of March of this year). I loved both of them very much.

Would I defend my parents? Yes, I would. If a person is close to their parents, then they would do everything in their power to save them. However, with everything there is a risk. You may find out something that you don't want to know about the parent you love.

Imagine the children of serial killers. Imagine what THEY have to go through if their parent was a monster (Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, was married with 2 children!). They will have to live in the shadows of their parent for the rest of their lives. There are even decendants of Hitler still alive, but want nothing to do with the stigma he had left behind!

Knowing this, would I forgive my parent for their crimes? This is an even harder question, knowing my parents. It would kill me if I knew that they had done horrific things, but you also have to ask yourself a question: How can my parents love me if they can do horrible things to others?

My answer to this question? I don't know.

And that's the puzzle, isn't it?

"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] domino1003 19 years ago

Hello! Forgive the "young man" remark!

Yes, I'm sure that he would be sent back to Hungary (The prosecutor mentioned that he would be extradited if convicted). That would pose an even more interesting question! I don't think that I could handle sending my parents to their death, either. This is what dilemna Ann faced. She started to defend her father, but ended up sending him to his death by giving up the photographs. But which is worse: sending your father to his death, or staying silent?

I can imagine what it may feel like for people to look at your funny because you're German. Just because of the actions of a few others, EVERYONE is suspect. Hopefully, one day, such prejudice will be non-existant.

Yes, if there is a question that poses a real moral dilemna, this would be the one.

Thank you for responding!

"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] domino1003 19 years ago

If I had kids, I think I would tell them when they are older and mature enough to understand. Then, they could make choices. However, in this society in which the media is 24/7, it may be difficult to hide such horrors from them.

To tell a child about their history can have possibly damaging effects.

Again imagine the 2 children of the BTK Killer. They are surrounded by the media, the faces of their father on every newspaper, computer and television screen. How their mother will explain the situation to them will be interesting.

I really wouldn't know how to explain it. But I would seek out advice from child experts (Psychologists, therapists, etc)for the best course of action.

"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] EuropeanMoviesFan 18 years ago

"For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing", according to British statesman, Edmund Burke.
I would turn any monster (for very serious charges) to the authorities, even if they were my parents. It would break my heart, but reason and justice would prevail.

[–] p_radulescu 18 years ago

I think it would be honest to defend my parent in such a case. The role of a lawyer is to represent the interests of the defendant and to find any evidence which would lead to the best possible verdict. This does not mean to say lies - only to find all evidence which favors your client (in this case your parent) - and to make sure that your parent has all legal rights during the trial.

I would like to add that as a son, I would think twice whether I am the best possible lawyer for my parent - pewrhaps it would be more appropiate to find another lawyer, better than me.

[–] domino1003 18 years ago

Hello:

Sorry that it took so long to respond to the messages listed here.

I like all of the reponses to this particular question and I am glad that it can provoke such interesting responses. It is a difficult situation and hopefully one that no one should have to ever face.

Take Care,

Yolanda

You understand Captain that this mission does not exist, nor will it ever exist. "Apocalypse Now"

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] sonny_1963 18 years ago

Absolutly!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] cornflowermonroe 17 years ago

if i believed my father innocent, i would defend him to the death. however, if i knew him to be guilty, i would wash my hands of him. also, depends on the crime. but i could no longer love my father if he were responsible for the wholesale rape and murder of so many people.

this is one of my all time favorite movies. it breaks my heart every time i watch it. such a beautiful and tragic film.

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nothing to say here

[–] bookratt 17 years ago

I would help my parent get competent assistance from an attorney. If I was an attorney, I would not represent them myself.

If I thought they were innocent, the above would still apply.

If I thought they were guilty:

I would tell them why I felt I had to turn away from them, tell them I was sorry they had done what they had done, then I would turn my back on them, probably forever.

There are some things that cannot be forgiven.

Let that be up to god to do, if he exists.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] blessings 17 years ago

Well, it is now much later than this question was proposed, but I would like to comment...I don't understand someone who can defend anyone, if they believe them guilty...If I believed them innocent, I would do my level best...If I found I believed them guilty at any point, I would resign...
Now, if the person were my parent, I would still have to resign...There still has to be forgiveness...That does not deny that, were they guilty, there would be grave consequences....It is very difficult to forgive, when the person will not admit their guilt (as in this movie)...But even then there is the necessity to forgive as Corrie Ten Boom so aptly proved after being on the receiving end of the holacost...

[–] domino1003 17 years ago

It's never too late to respond. And I thank you for taking the time to voice your comment.

Yes. To forgive someone that would do something so horrifying is incredibly hard. But even harder when, even when confronted with the evidence of their guilt, they refuse to admit their guilt.

You get Superman in a truckstop men's room, you won't need kryptonite to bring him to his knees!"

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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