OK, this is what Roger Ebert says happens, but I just saw the movie, and I think the Nazi took the initiative on this one. Why does Ebert always get things like this wrong? Does he even pay attention during films?
shareAs I am watching the movie - Ian's character definately took the initiative to the the grandfather. Todd (the kid) didn't put him up to it. Ian's character did it all on his own (with his own agenda in mind).
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He probably read the book. In the book, the boy convinces the nazi to pose as his grandfather.
shareUm, no he doesn't - he comes to Dussander in a frantic state over how his parents will react to his grades. Seeing just how much more malleable he is in his current state of mind, Dussander offers to pose as his grandfather...with the secret object of turning the tables on Todd by making it clear to anyone that they were both in it together. (He reveals this to Todd afterwards and, from this point on, it is HE who has TODD under his control...)
shareroger ebert is a TOOL. i don't get why ppl pay attention to what this moron has to say about films - he's ALWAYS wrong!
shareWhile I like look_again's explaination, I may have a more sympathetic presentation of basically the same idea.
Having to watch so many movies, hour after hour, day after day, can be a bit tiring. Don't get me wrong, it's an incredibly cushy job. But from experience I know, watching that many movies at a time, after a while your attention tends to wander. He may well have simply not been paying attention at that particular scene. Maybe that was the point at which he ran out of popcorn. Perhaps he's gotten lazy at this point in his career and doesn't try as hard as he should.
To answer your question, the bottom line is Ebert made a mistake. And based on your statement of him "always get[ting] things like this wrong", I take it this isn't the first time he's done such. I recommend finding a more reliable critic for reviews.