MovieChat Forums > The Brothers McMullen (1995) Discussion > Why were Patrick and Susan dating in the...

Why were Patrick and Susan dating in the first place?

posted 12 years ago by archer1267
4 replies | jump to latest

Patrick's Catholic faith was so important to him, yet he was involved with a Jewish girl. Don't get me wrong, I've got no problem with interfaith relationships, but his character was so staunchly Catholic throughout most of the movie, that it strains plausibility that he would be involved with a girl who wasn't Catholic. Not only that, but not Christian.

It'd be one thing if it was true love and these two were head over heels for each other, but nope.

Just one of many ways these movie strained plausibility. Don't get me started on the "triangle" Barry and Audrey had with Henry, a guy who may or may not have existed.

[–] Nikon11 11 years ago

Like most people, Patrick was conflicted.

He set up the priesthood ideal for himself - but in reality it wasn't what he was meant for.

[–] jgroub 9 years ago

I am dear friends with a guy who is in the Patrick mold. Staunch Catholic.

He dated, and f@cked, a Jewish girl for a long time. Very serious relationship. The relationship ended eventually, and he's still quite the Catholic. Stuff like this just happens. People don't plan for it or screen it out. You would think they would, but they don't.

The heart wants what it wants, as Woody Allen says. Or, in other words, the little head thinks for the big head.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Noufa (378) 5 years ago

If he really wanted to marry a "nice Catholic girl", he'd be dating Catholic girls. They're not hard to find in NYC. This wasn't a mistake. It was meant to show that Patrick was just as restless as Barry. Only difference is he hid behind a shield of piety to deflect criticism.

BTW I just watched the movie with Burns' commentary. He mentions that they bought the rights to William Kennedy's book "Legs" & that they planned to make it into a movie. Kind of bummed out to see that never happened.