MovieChat Forums > The 24th Day (2004) Discussion > Tom and Dan's Relationship

Tom and Dan's Relationship

posted 14 years ago by tr777
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The intimacy between Tom and Dan was way more powerful than a kissing or sex scene, whether they were shouting at each other or just talking softly so as interesting as that would be, it's unnecessary. I think Tom was still very attracted to Dan for several reasons: (1) Tom was a very reserved and shy guy yet it seems he revealed a lot more about himself to Dan than he probably did with others (for example, talking about the expectations and need to conform in the town where he was from); (2) Even though they only had a one-night stand, that one night obviously had a very lasting and strong effect on Tom. He said he remembered every detail about what was said and done. He even remembered exactly what he was wearing. Why would someone remember such details unless it it was important to him at the time; (3) When Tom is dancing with the older woman, he declines to have sex with her yet the person he goes to for comfort right after that scene is Dan. As another poster mentioned, this is an extremely powerful moment in the film. Tom crawls on his knees, sobbing, to Dan's lap. Dan too is very affectionate but then makes a move for the keys. It appears Tom is truly hurt by this action and sees it as just another betrayal. He lashes out at Dan saying "Is this what you want?" holding up the keys, as if to say you want these keys more than me? I think Tom was more furious and hurt at that moment, than any other moment in the film.

On a lighter note, even though the film was dark, powerful, etc., there were several very cute moments between the two of them, despite Dan being tied up almost the entire time: (1) When Dan asks what college Tom went to and Tom says that NASA gets all their people from his school; (2) the entire exchange between Dan and Tom when Dan tried to wake him to tell him he needed to use the bathroom; (3) Dan chattering away while Tom is trying to watch the game and (4) when Tom is about to let Dan go, he almost affectionately brushes Dan's hair aside to unwrap the tape. He was so gentle, it was almost sweet.

I could easily see the two of them in a relationship under different circumstances.

[–] hb-boyd 14 years ago

"Why would someone remember such details unless it it was important to him at the time..."

I'd like to answer this question. It appeared to me Tom remembered all those details because that whole experience changed his life forever not because of intimacy issues. He remembered everything that night because he played it back in his mind over and over again because the angry he had towards Dan ate him up inside, nothing more. When Dan tried to get those keys from Tom while he was crying on his lap it was the ultimate betrayal. Here he was trying to seek comfort in the person who had caused him so much pain and anguish and Dan was denying him the opportunity to grieve. His action just proved to Tom that Dan only cared about himself, never his victim(s).

(*spoilers)
Regarding their "relationship", if you look closely Tom is always very careful manhandling Dan while he's tied up. I noticed on more than one occasion Tom was gentle applying and removing the tape from his mouth. When Tom came back and found Dan had tried to set a fire, I was expecting him to go into a rage and beat the crap out of Dan, he didn't. He simply moved him into the other room.

You mentioned, you could easily see the two of them in a relationship but under different circumstances. Personally, a few clues lead me to believe they end up in a relationship in the movie. The minute Tom brought Dan home, it symbolized him bringing home his partner. He couldn't have his wife back, so he went out and got Dan. The older lady in the bar scene spoke to Tom about loneliness and how sad it is to be alone and Tom rushes home to seek comfort in Dan (not by coincidence!). Finally, at the end, the minute Dan walked back into Tom's apartment you sorta knew the relationship was sealed, especially if you listen to what they say to each other in that last scene - very powerful.

[–] ronnoco28 13 years ago

Also, after putting out the fire, Tom gave Dan a drink of water. His first impulse was solicitous consideration rather than anger.

What Tom felt the most guilt and anger about was the possibility that he'd given his wife AIDS, from his one-night stand with Dan, 5 years earlier. (That one-night stand obviously meant much more to Tom than it did to Dan). Tom blamed himself for his wife's death, and thus blamed Dan also. When Dan broached the possibility that it was Tom's wife who possibly gave Tom HIV, Tom lost his temper, and didn't want even to think about that possibility.

At the end, though, Tom realized that things weren't black-and-white, and each individual shared responsibility for being safe, and for passing on the virus. At the very end, informing Dan of the positive test result, he may even have realized the possibility that it was he who passed the virus on to Dan.

[–] Zando777 11 years ago

Their earlier hookup meant a lot to Tom because it was his only gay experience. (Vs. Dan's dozens or hundreds of experiences.) And because it caused a lot of later problems.

And he turned down sex with the older woman because he knew he had HIV, and wasn't an *beep* That's why he "couldn't".