why does the father hate danny.

He didn't. He actually portrayed the wisdom we get as we get older. It's hard, but if we give it time to sink in, it's actually quite useful and shapes our character. I know most people don't pay attention to this, but I saw his remark about taking responsibility as foreshadow. Notice how she runs to the pond when she should wash dishes. Presumably, Maureen or mom probably did them for her. Too she runs out and her mom trips looking for her. Maureen helps her out when dad tears her bottom up with the belt. I think she realized at the end she had to start returning the favor ( giving some leeway as they'd all given to her throughout the years).

Where do you get that he hates her? Dani is "coming of age" which means she is getting too old to be running around like a child with no responsibilities (which they said in the movie).

Especially with a new baby on the way and Maureen going off to college soon, it will be up to Dani to act more mature and help her mom around the house. Her father doesn't hate her, he's just doing what he is supposed to be doing...being a parent and disciplining her. I'm not saying he was right to whip her with a belt, but it was basically her fault her mom got hurt since she was looking for her, and that was the 60's when using a belt on your child was more common.

I actually thought the father was portrayed really well. He seemed to be a strong authority figure but he wasn't crazy strict...for the most part just telling his kids something or giving a certain look got them in line, which is the proof of great parenting. It was evident that using the belt wasn't something he usually (if ever) did and he was very ashamed by it, but he was overtaken by fear of his wife's health and anger at Dani for basically causing it.

What makes you think that he hated her? I thought he was an excellent daddy. More little girls need a daddy like that.

he doesnt hate her that is his favorite child lol Southern men and their daughters lol . I love it and it is a complexity there

Ummm. Clearly she was his favorite.

Such an odd interpretation. He loved her.

Because he's an abusive prick.

I'm happiest...in the saddle.

There was not an ounce of indication that he hated her. Sure he was angry at her because of what happened to Abby, but he never hated her.

He never hated Dani. He loved her best, but seemed to have a hard time showing it.

I hated how he acted with Dani the night her goofball mom inexplicably freaked out.
The dad was too lenient with Maureen & he was too gruff at times.

I didn't like him much. But he did love Dani.



"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."