MovieChat Forums > Manic (2003) Discussion > I Hated Lyle's relationship with Tracy.

I Hated Lyle's relationship with Tracy.

posted 15 years ago by blipsycat
5 replies | jump to latest

Who else hated how Lyle got to make out with Tracy at the end? Just a few days earlier, he pins her up against a wall and screams at her for a stupid reason, and we're supposed to feel good that he gets to have sex with a rape victim who probably thinks she's SUPPOSED to do whatever sexual things men want her to do? I think Tracy should have kicked his ass, which might have boosted her self-esteem, but I guess the writers got a case of "Hollywood-endingitis" and thought the movie must end with the protagonist getting laid.

I'm a depressed teenage boy, and I really wanted to like the movie, but I think the message get overshadowed by the make-out scene. Lyle and Tracy's romance makes the message seem more like "Teens with mental illnesses have to go through a lot to get better, but it's ok, because they'll get to do a hot girl/guy in a mental institution." And what's the message it's sending to teenage girls? "If you're ever in a mental hospital, the guy with a history of violence who has screamed at you, inappropriately touched you, and sneaked into your bedroom in the middle of the night is Mr. Right! Just as long as you spend a lot of time beforehand staring at each other and he has a 2-minute conversation with you."

OK, I know it's just a movie, but it seems to be trying to have a more realistic portrayl of mental illness, so why does it have to be spoiled by such a "Hollywood" romance? All these stupid "guy and girl fall in love instantly with a only a couple of minor obstacles to overcome in the 3rd act" movies depress the hell out of me, and Tracy and Lyle's romance depressed me. This movie is supposed to make me depressed beacuse it shows what teens with mental illnesses go through, but instead it makes me depressed because it reminds me that even people who are violent to rape victims have a bigger chance of getting married than I do.

So, what's your opinion on this?

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] blipsycat 15 years ago

That's interesting, because I had always thought they were still together at the end. The way Lyle and Tracy stared at each other before he escaped made me think they were thinking something like this:

Lyle: I'm sorry, Tracy, but I have to go my own way. I'll miss you.
Tracy: I'll miss you too. I don't want you to go, but it's your choice.

And I assumed they continued to be a couple when he returned to the institution. I may have to rewatch that scene, but the way I remember it they both acted pretty neutral. So your theory that they didn't end up together could be right.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (4524359) 11 years ago

He went back to the institution in the end and Lyle and Tracy were on good terms with eachother in the end so no reason to think they didn't end up together, at least for a while.

[–] Chara_Angel 9 years ago

I agree, it is a pretty crappy scene, but if you think about it, it is somewhat realistic.

When I was in the hospital, I was stuck around the same people all day, and sometimes you can get attached to people you otherwise wouldn't. Everyone's really vulnerable in there. I almost kissed a boy I didn't like because he was nice to me. I'd never done that before.

I LOVE it when it's hamburger day!- Romy White

[–] jtdreamtheater 9 years ago

I also think we're not supposed to like that he never apologizes. Sometimes women/girls go for a guy that does not treat them well.