i think barry really needed a psychiatrist, not a lover. dude had serious emotional issues, and love is not going to magically fix that. sure he tells her he beat up the bathroom and he's sorry that he left her at the hospital, but he does he understand how to deal with his emotions in a healthy way? is stalker girl going to teach him that?
shareThose questions are left open to interpretation (just like most romance movies, is it only a happy ending because they choose to end it at a happy moment in the character's lives or is they more to it?) Now I don't believe love can fix all problems but Barry finally found someone he can confide to which goes a long way. People need connection, Lena is a small step but hopefully traveling with her and meeting new people will help "fix" him.
shareAll I can take away from this being a pretend sequel to There Will Be Blood and The Master, is that Paul Thomas Anderson is one brilliant *beep*
shareSurely somebody accepting him for who he is, will only help him.
"Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way."
agreed. the film's surreal. there's an analyses on youtube comparing him to superman. funny thing is, it makes a lot of sense.
shareI see this movie as a way to show what bullying can do to the victim.
Barry was a victim of mockery, harrasment, psychological abuse from his sisters.
Once he put Rhonda (just one of the 7 witches) in her place, he felt better, and she stopped the bullying.
That's what he needs to tell them all: to back off, bug off. The game is over, not taking Crap from these sisters any longer.
Once this is taken care of, and he stays away from his sisters , Barry will be able to recuperate from years of abuse, and find himself again.
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"Dude has serious emotional issues and love is not going to magically fix that".
Neither is psychiatry.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
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He doesn't need to be fixed though he just needs to be accepted (in my opinion).
shareBarry has severe mental issues. I agee with op yet dont at the same time Love can indeed cure all, especially for him. Barry is no doubt almost insane though folks. Cmon now
shareNothing about him suggested that he was "almost insane", being acutely, painfully, aware of himself and how he comes across as compared to others. He seemed coherent enough in his mind, just totally, hopelessly inept when it came to communicating with others - which may or may not have lead others to think he´s sort of retarded. In short, while he was in need for some psychiatric treatment in regards to his trouble with anger management, there really weren´t any further severe pathologies in evidence. Not remotely "insane".
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
I don't think the film is aiming for realism, so while the character had issues, the film shoudln't be seen as a charcter-study. It's more like a roamntic fairy-tale.
NOT YOU!
Agreed, a romantic fairy tale. At its ending Barry has the best possible remedy, a loving relationship, though it won't be sufficient. Better than an even bet he'll be institutionalized at some point(s) as he ages, but there is hope love will see him through it.
Oh that magic feeling -- nowhere to go.