MovieChat Forums > In the Bedroom (2002) Discussion > Frank Was a Total Idiot!

Frank Was a Total Idiot!

posted 10 years ago by JaysonT
14 replies | jump to latest

One of my favorite films of 2001, but Frank was a total idiot, and completely stupid to stay with Marisa Tomei.

1. He totally was rude to his mother. She was concerned about his well being because he was SEEING A MARRIED WOMAN! That's actually illegal in many states.

2. Marisa Tomei's husband had a history of violence and being abusive, but naive Frank decides this isn't a big deal because he's selfish and wants to get laid. Never mind the fact that he gets beaten up but still sits there with a happy-go-lucky smile on his face, and insists his parents don't call the police.

3. During an important phone call with a college recruiter, he decides it's more important to answer the phone call of Tomei's whiny children and then make a house call, only to get murdered.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this guy was a clueless moron! Who in their right mind would date a woman with a HUSBAND who is dangerous, and then keep doing it even when he has so much more going for him? With such a strong educational background, he didn't make wise decisions at all.

Marisa Tomei also deserved to go to prison- as one could assume she was part of the reason of Frank's murder. Anyone else have insight on this?

[–] remembervhs 10 years ago

One of the great things about this film is how much is going on under the surface. Like a lot of kids around his age, Frank is extremely confident of himself. People often talk about teenagers acting as though they're invincible and we definitely see this with Frank.

As far as his relationship with Tomei's character, I think you're totally off base. You may not like her (either as a character or an actress) but Frank is quite clearly in love with her. Did you miss the moment where he says to her about her son "We're going to have our hands full." Regardless of what he tells his parents, their relationship is serious. As far as the legality of it, he's 18 and she's separated from her husband. No one could realistically be prosecuted for that.

As far as who is to blame for Frank's death, I think Tomei's character is at the bottom of the list.

Frank's mother is overbearing to the point where he does the opposite of what she says. His father is clearly deriving some satisfaction from Frank's life (living vicariously through him) and so he dissuades the mother from calling the police and generally takes the situation lightly.

Frank himself totally misjudges Tomei's husband. We see in the last scene with him alive, he says to Tomei "Go upstairs, it'll be better if he doesn't see you." This just shows how confident he is that he completely understands the situation. He clearly doesn't, and pays for it.

I think people looking for a simplistic message in this film along the lines of "The women in the movie manipulated the men" or "Frank paid for his inability to face reality" are really missing the point. The events in the film culminate from innumerable factors, just like events in real life.

[–] lisajohn-4 9 years ago

I agree that this is a very rich film. It's not simple, black-and-white. All of the characters had positive and negative attributes and motivations. And their complex interaction culminate in both a tragic event and aftermath. Dr. Fowler relieves his wife's pain by murdering Richard, and in doing so takes on the guilt of his action in addition to the sorrow of losing his son. And we are left hanging at the end of the film ....how does this affect Dr. Fowler and what becomes of these characters. Masterful story-telling.

[–] Stirchley 8 years ago

What was interesting to me was the final scene when Dr. Fowler tells his wife that there was a photo of Richard & Natalie in Richard's place & he told his wife that they looked so happy together. This planted a tiny seed in the doctor's brain that Richard maybe wasn't an out-and-out villain. Also, Richard telling the doctor that his son was always with Natalie, even sleeping over sometimes, & that he couldn't see his wife alone to try to work things out. I am guessing this also gave the doctor pause for thought.

[–] jeffnova 10 years ago

I agree about Frank making bad decisions but what law did Marissa's character break to deserve prison?

[–] Sevans2020-183-680687 9 years ago

Youthfully arrogant Frank was in over his head with someone scheming to escape her abusive ex. Matt and Ruth were unable to present a united front against the situation because they were so estranged from each other. Everyone ended up paying a price because no one was entirely innocent.

[–] lulupalooza 9 years ago

There are very good thoughts on this thread from the four people above me.

I will add that Natalie did nothing to directly cause Frank's death. Even indirectly (like an accomplice) would've been a legal stretch; she didn't personally call Frank to come over, the eldest kid did because he was scared when his parents were fighting (he should've learned to dial 911 instead). Natalie would never be prosecuted for anything as there was no evidence of her involvement, other than poor judgement and what's been said by the previous posters.

"Don't get chumpatized!" - The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

[–] roses888 9 years ago

Frank was just after the easy piece of a** she was! That is not a reason to be killed of course, but he was in fact sleeping with the guy's wife! That would anger any husband.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] creegah-3 9 years ago

What normal, red-blooded young man hasn't done what Frank did?

[–] whitespirit26 9 years ago

Don't be a twit, Sign. And Roses, he and his wife were separated; Richard was foolish and recklessly selfish.

[–] jharmon64 9 years ago

People,

They were divorced, not seperated.

The guy found a woman he truly loved, it's awesome.

Just turned out really bad. Young kids make unsound decisions when they are in love.

Great movie. I loved how the parents grieved differently.

[–] WileyJack (147) 4 months ago

It was revealed in the opening scenes that Richard and Natalie were separated, but not yet divorced.

[–] timroth 8 years ago

Frank was only 18 or 19 years old! Young men that age don't make entirely rational decision, especially when a sexy woman is involved.

[–] OldFriendOfTheChristys 8 years ago

As frustrating as it is to watch Frank be so blasé about the situation – I find myself wanting to shake him – it makes me realize how difficult it really must be to be a parent. As much as you want your kids to make smart choices, the truth is they’re going to do what they’re going to do.