MovieChat Forums > Waking Ned (1999) Discussion > Marks on Michael's Back

Marks on Michael's Back


What are the black marks in the upper middle of Michael's back and in the lower middle of his back?
Couldn't find a decent answer in the site material.

Harry Lime

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It's mud that was kicked up by the motorcycle wheels.

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Some of this explanation makes sense because 1) when Michael gets out of the water, the marks are not there, 2) he does drive the motorcycle through mud on the way to Ned's house, BUT there are some problems with that answer.
1) there is a full mud guard and pouch and helmet on the back of the cycle that would prevent any mud from getting on his back. If you've ever driven a motorcycle through mud with guards on, it doesn't get on you, and 2) the pattern is so absolutely mid-line, circumscribed and narrow, and is missing a segment in the low back, that this is just unnatural.
This could just be a film flaw. Maybe the director meant this to be a mud line, but there are contextual things that contradict it.

Harry Lime

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it's supposed to be funny because it becomes obvious that he wasn't taking a bath when the lottery man comes to call.

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Yes, just one more great gag in this movie!

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