MovieChat Forums > Brat 2 (2000) Discussion > Why no justice?

Why no justice?

posted 18 years ago by sum_meus
18 replies | jump to latest

Could somebody please explain to me why Danila lets the two mobb bosses responsible for his friend's death, and the stolen money, live? He kills for a lot less, for example when he thinks he's being ripped off in the illegal gun deal, so why not nail the men actually responsible? Is this a Russian sense of justice that I don't understand, in which the minions are slaughtered but there is still some sort of respect for the men who hold power, and thus they are inexplicably spared in the end?

[–] sum_meus 18 years ago

nobody wants to tackle this one? i'd love to hear a response.

[–] level33-1 18 years ago

sum meus,
What do you mean "Russian sense of justice"??
It's just a movie, and a "tounge-in-cheeked" one, didn't you notice?
As compared to tons of $zillion-budget Hollywood thrillers lacking sense whatsoever, this one is very stylish, grotesque, clip-like, provocative film.
Unfortunately, for Western folks mesmerized by silly and awfull blockbusters,
this movie will remain enigma. This has nothing to do with "national Russian character" or something---you just have to be Russian to fully enjoy (or, reject--but for reasons other than yours) this movie. I, too, am having mixed feelings about the main haro, Danila Bodrov, I even consider the film quite dangerous especially if it is taken literally.
But again, Why justice? :)

[–] sum_meus 18 years ago

"But again, Why justice? :)"

Because it fits with his character and the theme of the movie for him to seek justice through violent retribution. Also, I'm not at all interested in "$zillion-budget Hollywood thrillers" and I don't believe that I said anything to lead you to that conclusion. It's a weak tactic to challenge the validity of someone's perspective by making baseless assumptions about their person. You make no real arguments, either, just more generalities ("you just have to be Russian to fully enjoy... this movie"). Do you really think that making a mob boss piss his pants is worthy revenge for the man who ordered the death of your good friend and army buddy? His philosophy is such that the death of underlings is meaningless, but that the leaders and decision makers are above this treatment, and making them lose face is equivalent in weight to the killing of his good fiend.

[–] kinofil 16 years ago

I disagree. I am not Russian and I fully enjoyed this film.

[–] tararam 18 years ago

Because he won the moral victory over the evil.

[–] watedge 17 years ago

Because he won the moral victory over the evil.

I think that plays a big part.

[–] powerman611 17 years ago

When Danila extorted information from Belkin(the Russian mob boss who wet himself during the interrogation), he said that he'd kill him, but didn't want his kid to grow up without a father.

At the end of the movie Danila gets the money from Mennis, the American mob boss, who is scared senseless in the process. It is not clear whether or not he let him live. Maybe he whacked him.

Either way, Danila's mission is not revenge for his friend's Kostya's death. Kostya asked him to help him help his brother, who's being cheated by Mennis. That's what Danila did. He got him paid. As for the other guys that he ended up killing, it was absolutely necessary to help him complete his quest, which is truth, not vengence.

[–] mikomi-1 17 years ago

Agree with powerman611.
I don't see any necessity in killing Mennis either. There was no revenge. THere was truth to bring. I would personallu kill Menis but he was not a killer of Danila's friend. Where is revenge here - if Mennis is killd there is no revenge - but blind stupidity.

You have to watch the movie carefull

[–] silencersoft 10 years ago

Completely agree :-)

He did what Kostya asked of him.

[–] SamiAhmed (20) 2 years ago

I like the way this movie ended a lot, because it's more in line with reality. I think by the time he got to the point he did he realized if he went further all that would do is ruin his own life and I wouldn't be surprised if when he saw the reaction of his dead friend's brother he realized his own life wasn't worth some asshole that just wanted money. this movie was a fun little adventure. If it had gone further perhaps the mob boss would have killed that pop star woman and then he would've had to go back to Russia in Brat 3. Personally I think they handled this movie very well.

[–] fatami 17 years ago

i agree with you man. Eti amerikantzi chut chut tupiye s Russkimi filmami

[–] mariabel08-1 16 years ago

oy kakoi te prav ;)

[–] kinofil 16 years ago

Fatami, get over yourself. You don't have to be Russian to like or understand this film.

[–] asgard-5 17 years ago

the first film was dead serious, just one big social comment. and this is a COMEDY. a no-brainer (still, with occasional thoughts throughout it). compared to other crap being made here, it's very very good. in fact, this film was huge in Russia. like Rocky 2 or something )

[–] kinofil 16 years ago

Because Danila has a sense of honor and righteousness, which they clearly do not have.

By putting the two mob bosses in a situation where their false honor crumbles to the ground and leaves them pissing in their pants and crying, in addition to accomplishing his mission, he has already taken away their mask, their false sense of honor. Why does he need to kill them, as well?

Essentially, they are already dead.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kinofil 16 years ago

le russie, I am American. I certainly hope I understand what I mean... ;)

[–] 10 years ago

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