MovieChat Forums > Scent of a Woman (1993) Discussion > George Jr.'s (and Sr's) hissy-fit when ...

George Jr.'s (and Sr's) hissy-fit when the verdict was announced

posted 12 years ago by jaystarstar
13 replies | jump to latest

What the hell did they expect? A gold medal?

The decision is that George Jr. (P.S. Hoffman) is to receive "neither recognition or condemnation for his cooperation" ....

What the hell "cooperation" did he give? He stood up there and basically pulled a Sgt. Schultz act -- "I KNOW NOTHEENK!!"

Even though the circumstances clearly indicated he did see SOMETHING. As much or more than Sims in fact.

George Jr. and Daddy both ought to be damn grateful they weren't put on the probation list with Harry, Trent and Jimmy too.

In fact, if I were the committee, seeing both of them throw their hissy-fit eye-rolling routine, I would bring them up short: "Hold it right there. You got any problems with this decision, let's hear it right now. In fact you don't leave this stage until you either say you are Very Happy with this decision, or you can count yourself on the probation list too. Hooo-ahh!!"

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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

[–] CoffeeRules 11 years ago

Agreed! That was quite an extreme reaction. Not only was he not in trouble, it's not like Charlie got any praise or commendation either. All the verdict was is that Charlie is excused from the inquiry.

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IMDB posters should simply ignore trolls!

[–] loumcp 11 years ago

I think George Jr knew he would be a pariah from that point on.

[–] pmac7902 8 years ago

I agree with the OP completely but I never thought about your point. He is pretty screwed! Everyone thinks he's a dbag now and even his friends just watched him come VERRRRY close to giving them up. I bet the collar of his sport coat doesn't stick up in the back quite so far after that day. (And who does that anyway?!)

~~~"Who do you think you're dealing with? Guess again."~~~

[–] mikeyg24 10 years ago

Not only was he not in trouble, it's not like Charlie got any praise or commendation either

Well he got a standing ovation for withholding the truth off the back of a rousing speech. I was always a bit surprised that he wasn't at least found suspected of ungentlemanly conduct since Col Slade even admitted he was withholding the truth, 'I don't know if Charlie's silence her today is right or wrong...'.

There's a moral to this story Del Boy but for the life of me I can't find it!

[–] mlaiuppa 7 years ago

Exactly. Charlie was excused.

But George is nailed as a coward. He wasn't brave enough to be silent nor was he brave enough to turn them in.

A school like that is designed for networking. "A Baird man." That means as you continue on in the business world you do favors and give breaks to your school buddies. Same reason people go to the Ivy league schools. Not just for the prestige, but also for the social ties.

Trask was coming down on Charlie because he was just as prejudiced against the scholarship "white trash" as the rest of them. He was more than happy to screw Charlie over for not giving him what he wanted; the names. He probably never wrote that recommendation letter and most likely wouldn't have bothered to send it whether Charlie gave up the names or not.

In the end, Charlie was more of a "Baird man" than any of the rest of them. He represented the ideals they talked about but didn't live.

[–] Airjordan2288 11 years ago

I came on this board today to discuss this very topic. Glad to see I wasn't the only one that thought WTF over Big George and little Georges reaction. I think this movie is still the reason I still don't like any of Philip Seymour Hoffmans movies....LOL. Because of his reaction to the proceedings and him not getting extra dessert for coming forward.

Even more shocking to me was that George pretty much gave up Jimmy, Harry and Trent with his 'ballpark figure' description then pushed it off on Charlie to be the real rat.

then when Charlie didn't give them up, Trask wants to send Charlie down the river instead of investigating the matter further. Maybe get Jimmy, Trent, and Harry in separate rooms to get them to confess.

Trask was a douchebag though.
"I've boned a lot of fat chicks in my time but never fornicated with anyone;

[–] The-Last-Prydonian 11 years ago

To be honest I don't know why anyone was surprised. George Jr. was an obnoxious, spoiled rich kid so it stood to reason that his reaction would be that of one. He was a five star idiot! Of course he should have been grateful that he got off so lightly (as should his father who was probably more concerned with his image than his sons well being) but given his character it was unlikely he would.

What got me was that it seemed that Trask although publicly humiliated would still get off otherwise scot free with what he pulled. He abused his position to get what he thought was justice but seemed more like vengeance. He wanted to hang those boys out to dry and he didn't seem to care what he'd have to do to see it achieved. I mean imagine attempting to potentially ruin a young boys career because he refused to be bribed in to naming names! Frank put it perfectly when he said that right or wrong in what he did Charlie displayed integrity. It could not be bought at any price and Trask was being a poor role model which essentially is what an educator should be. But then of course the reason it never did was because Frank wouldn't name name's. Maybe Frank was right for this and maybe he was wrong, I don't know. It's just a shame the Dean was only going to walk away from the fiasco with a red face.

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

"To be honest I don't know why anyone was surprised. George Jr. was an obnoxious, spoiled rich kid so it stood to reason that his reaction would be that of one. He was a five star idiot!"

Agreed! That was the worst verdict they could expect, thus the negative body language. People surely shouldn't be expecting them to jump for joy!

George was never going to be sanctioned any further because of how wealthy his family was. But the assembly and film's audience are left in no doubt who the real villain is.

BTW Phillip Seymour Hoffman really shows some of his early acting chops in this supporting role IMO.

[–] joeykeo 11 years ago

George senior wanted some kind of commendation because it would look good on a resume. (After all George did give the names)

George jr was upset because he will be outcasted since he ratted and Charlie did not.

Jo

I have spread my dreams under your feet,
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams

[–] stevenackerman69 10 years ago

I didn't notice that before. Maybe because they felt that they were the upper class and that the disciplinary committee would be biased towards them.

[–] pmac7902 8 years ago

Haven't read the other responses yet, don't need to. I agree man, and great extended cut of this scene. That would have been epic.

~~~"Who do you think you're dealing with? Guess again."~~~

[–] dhmason6155 8 years ago

George Jr's spirit was broken, just like Trask wanted and just like the Col said it would be. Truly an "amputated spirit".

He took his first step on the road to conformity and his place in the "long gray line of American manhood".

We got a job.
What kind?
...The Forever Kind.

[–] Bernnard_Black 8 years ago

I think they were disappointed because they saw the whole thing as an opportunity. It was clear, at least to me, that George Senior had basically used his financial influence to ensure George Jr. would get the best deal. Trask even praises him, saying he's the only one still capable of calling himself a "Baird Man". I think he really did think he would get some sort of commendation for cooperating...and of course, the old man would cut a fat check to the school because of it. Remember Hunsacker's comments at the end: "We further recommend that Mr. George Wills Jr. recieve neither recognition nor commendation for his actions."

I think at that point, George just saw it all as a huge waste. He'd thrown his only friends under the bus in front of the whole school. Charlie totally upstaged him. The school knows he's basically a liar and a coward, and that message that he wasn't getting any recognition was a bad sign. Basically, he just completely ruined his life at that school until he graduated.

Whores will have their trinkets.