MovieChat Forums > Apt Pupil (1998) Discussion > A Few questions (poss. spoilers)

A Few questions (poss. spoilers)

posted 18 years ago by nigel87
6 replies | jump to latest

I just recently read the noveletta, and I've seen the movie a few years ago (so that's a bit rusty), but I have a few questions in regard to the movie.

In the movie I don't remember Todd killing any hobos, did he? Also I don't remember Todd having those disturbing wet dreams in the movie. Was there an appearance by Todd's (actual) grandfather? (When Rubber Ed was at that guidance counselor convention.) Was Todd as much of an athlete in the movie as the book? Was the police/Israeli Intelligence after Todd at the end? If Todd did kill hobos in the movie, was he identified by newspaper photo by a different hobo to the police? Last, did Todd have such a distaste for Betty Trask in the movie as he did in the book? and was Betty a big slut in the movie?

Thanks.

[–] taje 18 years ago

Mine a bit rusty too
1. Todd actually help Dussander killed at least one
2. He did have bad dreams, I can't remember though any specific indication about wet dreams (unless he looked under the blanket) He was sweating all over though
3. Can't remember although I can almost visualize a scene lol (maybe from the novella)
4. He played basketball. I'm not sure if he's in the school team
5. I can't recall but I doubt so because he was pretty cleared off as mere helping an old man (Dussander). I can only remembered the school teacher visit
6. Nope
7. lol I can't remember

[–] yellowpinkjello 18 years ago

1. in the movie todd did finish killing one hobo that mckellen (nazi) had already wounded pretty badly.
2. yeah, all the movie showed was that todd had trouble sleeping and one time woke up soaked with sweat from dreaming. but it didn't insinuate he had wet dreams to my knowledge.
3. his actual grandfather was shown when mckellen came over for dinner to todd's house with his family. todd's grandfather asked him what he had done in the war...
4. they mentioned in the movie that todd was on the baseball team, and he excelled in it. and he was always playing basketball.
5. at the end the police disregarded todd as knowing nothing, seemingly without asking him any more questions or pursuing it any further.
6. there was only one hobo in the movie, and he was killed in a joint effort between todd and mckellen. todd didn't get caught for it.
7. in the movie todd showed a general lack of interest for betty trask. like he didn't like or dislike her.
8. she was sort of a slut... she tried to give todd oral sex. but he wasn't up for it. then she got high and insinuated he was gay.

[–] nigel87 18 years ago

Thanks! That really helps clear things up!

[–] Fuktz 18 years ago

he wacked a bird with a ball in the movie thus he must be into sports. although, i would like to have seen the end of the novella on the big screen... *beep* that would have rocked.

*beep*

[–] Zmeister81 18 years ago

I just watched the movie for the first time tonight. What a great movie. Yet another great movie by Bryan.

Todd also played baseball, he was actually the pitcher and Joshua Jackson (Todd's best friend in the movie) was the catcher. It only showed Todd throwing one pitch though and he struck out the batter. It seemed like most the movie took place in the very late fall or winter, hence maybe the focus on basketball.

-Zac

[–] Jester2000154113 10 years ago

1. Dussander tries to kill one hobo, throws him down the stairs, then locks Todd in the basement with him and Todd finishes him off. Other than that, they omit the bit with Dussander and Todd killing hobos.

2. Todd doesn't have wet dreams in the movie. He has nightmares.

3. Todd's real grandfather is at dinner when Dussander meets Todd's parents.

4. Todd in the movie is a basketball player.

5. The police and the Nazi hunter interview Todd, but they dismiss him afterwards and aren't really suspicious of him (well the Nazi hunter seems to be slightly, but there's no evidence against him).

6. There's no hobos murdered in the movie except the one Todd buries in Dussander's basement, and the only person implicated in that is Dussander.

7. He seems mostly disinterested in her. They do go out on a "date" and make out in the car, but she can tell he's not into it, and he can't get an erection when she tries to give him a blowjob. They do go out to the movies, so they might be casually dating.

8. It's implied she's slutty, I think.

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