MovieChat Forums > Shortbus (2006) Discussion > James was a selfish little sod.

James was a selfish little sod.

posted 12 years ago by Optio87
6 replies | jump to latest

He's in a relationship with a loving man, and yet still tries to commit suicide. No thought whatsoever on how it would affect his partner. Very selfish.

What did you expect to be under here?

[–] Ithilfaen 12 years ago

Suicide is the ultimate selfish act imo. But I do believe that people who kill themselves do so because they don't feel like anything is holding them back. Or anyone. It's not a choice. It's a last resort.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] DrinkFromTheSameFountain 12 years ago

I wouldn't say that suicide is selfish in the conventional meaning of that word, but rather it is the ultimate act of the self. When I think of selfish, I think of people who are takers, I don't think of people who can't bear to ho on living. People who commit suicide feel that they are alone (which probably could be interpreted as selfish) and that there is no hope.

I loved James in this movie.

[–] rascal67 8 years ago

It is also "selfish" of people to condemn someone for their actions like suicide, because of the self-entitled notion of...how dare you do that, to make me feel the way I do.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩

[–] sjynyc 11 years ago

That was the selfish part to me.

I didn't know how to react to him letting the "stalker" *beep* him.

Sure, James and his BF were experimenting in being "open" , however, if my lover would rather not share his "first time" with me.. I'd be pretty pissed.

Could you imagine James sharing the info "I just got *beep* finally.... by some guy in the next building who I just met"

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] akshunhiro 8 years ago

Spoken like someone who doesn't understand depression and has no capacity for empathy.

Be very careful saying things like that. Suicidal people are not being selfish; they are experiencing an overload emotional anguish that they cannot cope with. For many, their depression is in their brain chemistry, something they can't control and didn't ask for. Nobody asks for depression or to be standing on the edge of suicide.

You make it sound like they baked a cake and ate all of it themselves without offering any to others.

You obviously have never experienced depression yourself and your life is all wine and roses. Good for you. I can understand why you wouldn't want for that to end. But you have to understand that life is not like that for all people and for many, all they want is for their suffering to end. All they want is peace, relief of an unstoppable burden that is so heavy it crushes them.

How about instead of condemning people who are severely depressed, you actually attempt to understand them and, dare I say it, even try to help them?