MovieChat Forums > Wicker Park (2004) Discussion > What about Daniel? ** Spoilers **

What about Daniel? Spoilers

posted 8 years ago by KutWrite
3 replies | jump to latest

I found Daniel a potentially interesting antagonist, yet his part in the film was so sketchy I wasn't sure if he was stalking the Real or Fake Lisa.

Had Alex tricked him also into thinking she was Lisa? Or was his note to the Real Lisa. If so, she had given him the key to her place, and trusted him to give it back w/o making a copy when she dumped him.

Plus, the question of his wife's death. Was it staged? Is that what scared Lisa off? Or was Lisa a commitment-phobe, frightened off by the possibility that Daniel was now free to be with her fully?

If he was a potentially murderous character, why not at least hint that he was still following (real or fake) Lisa, and would mean future trouble for Luke, Matt or "next guy in line?" That would've added some spice to the movie for me. Christopher Cousins is a fine actor, and proved to have a dangerous edge in "Breaking Bad." He could've added a lot to the movie!

But, in this movie, we know less about Daniel than any other major character. Except, maybe Lisa!

I thought this was basically a chick-flick: all about relationships and communications, with no real dangers, and the protagonist probably learning nothing (based on his hasty, emotionless dump of Rebecca at the airport).

Thus maybe a good tagline would be: "Women good, Men bad!"

[–] MosquitoMagnet 7 years ago

Had Alex tricked him also into thinking she was Lisa? Or was his note to the Real Lisa. If so, she had given him the key to her place, and trusted him to give it back w/o making a copy when she dumped him.

No, you could hear several times in the movie that the Real Lisa knew Daniel and was running away from him, hence why she stayed in a hotel in the first place when she had a flat.
Yes, that's what couples do when they think the relationship is getting serious. Handing the other the spare key and trust that they didn't choose a psycho who makes copies of the key when they break up.

Plus, the question of his wife's death. Was it staged? Is that what scared Lisa off? Or was Lisa a commitment-phobe, frightened off by the possibility that Daniel was now free to be with her fully?

Lisa said in the phone call to Daniel that Matt overheard in the bathroom that she didn't think that it was an accident. Yes, she was scared which is why she stayed in a hotel when she had a flat.

If he was a potentially murderous character, why not at least hint that he was still following (real or fake) Lisa, and would mean future trouble for Luke, Matt or "next guy in line?" That would've added some spice to the movie for me.

I guess he didn't murder his wife after all for Lisa, and had enough self-respect to stop stalking her once he saw through the window that she already found a new lover.

But, in this movie, we know less about Daniel than any other major character. Except, maybe Lisa!

The thing is, he wasn't a major character.

[–] KutWrite 7 years ago

Good answers.

Thanks.

[–] taggert66 7 years ago

You are correct. In the deleted scenes Daniel told Lisa should could stop hiding from him because he wouldn't be calling her anymore.