MovieChat Forums > Imaginary Heroes (2005) Discussion > Question: Tim and Matt

Question: Tim and Matt

posted 15 years ago by NicholasDeLima
8 replies | jump to latest

I like this movie a lot for different reasons. But I have one question. It might be sound strange or even a bit harsh, but that´s not my intention. So i´m trying my best to explain what´s been up my mind for some time.

I was wondering why it was Matt who decided to commit suicide and it was not Tim who did. (probably to make the story attractive and also because it´s a movie and otherwise it would probably a very short movie)

I mean, I´m not the one to tell someone else to commit suicide nor I can predict it. But in my eyes, Tim had reasons to do, if you know what I mean. Tim always living in the shadow of his brother, felt like he wasn´t a part of the family, quite an emotional person with his diary and music. And Matt was the prodigy, probably very popular at school, favourite nephew, neighboor, etc. I´m not saying that any one these examples must lead to a suicide. And I know they both had probably their reasons to be happy and unhappy. That´s what I was thinking about. But it´s also what I like about this movie, it´s a bit unlogic (not that there´s anything logical about suicide though). Like they switched places.

Of course I know everyone deals with issues and problems in their own way: maybe Matt was less able to cope with his problems (agression towards Tim) and Tim could express himself (more) through his music. So maybe both brothers experienced (same) problems, but they dealt with it in a differendt way. Maybe these brothers had more in common than they thought they had.

I don´t know the answers. Someone else?
Because I haven´t found something about this yet. And to me these questions, and even more the answers will help me to understand the characters and movie more. Or is this all not important and even worth mentioning it. And to be sure: this is my opinion, how I feel about it, what I think of it. I don´t want offend people.

I'd rather be hated for who I am. Than loved for who I am not.

[–] FrederickWit 14 years ago

Well, why do young people that live an extremely comfortable capitalist midclass or highclass life with loving families kill themselves? (emos) And why do people that lives in the street sometimes doesn't?

I suppose your question is quite reasonable, but as you said, everyone copes with its problems diferently. I have been studying something related about this lately, and it really seems that some people have a self destructive nature, and some others just not.

Matt had many reasons to kill himself, believe me. He was a swimmer, which is one of the most "suicidal" sports (I used to practise it). It consumes your life, you sometimes have to practice 5 hours a day (6 times a week), swim more than 10 000 meters, not going to many parties and social events. Many swimmers take sabatic years when they get too "traumatized" by it. The fact that he was "the best" was actually worse... the only excitement in swimming is knowing there are many people you still have to outbest. Do you know what it feels to waste so much of your life in something you dont even like? And the fact the father was proud of him and everything was the worst part... The feeling of not wanting to dissapoint a perfectionist father is just too much sometimes...

Tim just didn't care... He knew his father didn't like him, but he probably never even wanted to be loved by him. I suppose a problem is just a problem when you give it importance... And of course, I would like to think he wasnt of a self destructive nature.

Ok, I hope I answered your question the way you wanted... though... I don't believe that question you made has a real answer. It's interesting to debate though, haha.

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EL GATO

[–] NicholasDeLima 14 years ago

Thanks for answering. And like you said: the question might not have a real answer. And to be honest, I think posting my question was more a way to find out if more people were thinking about this. Sharing thoughts about this movie, this topic.So maybe I found my question.
Thanks again!

I'd rather be hated for who I am. Than loved for who I am not.

[–] Khadgar_Mage 14 years ago

I don't see it unlikely that Matt would have dark thoughts at all.

If he were the popular kid, the one that Dad showed 100% of his affection towards and a prodigy in his field, that can seriously mess with someone.

like the previous poster mentioned striving to be the best becomes meaningless when you have no competition, or no one to share that with. Having things come so easily, such as being a natural athlete and being so popular can actually alienate someone far more than having a troubled childhood like Tim might.

Tim can feel a broad range of emotions, happiness with his friends, animosity towards his father, fear and hatred for his brother. Tim's life is more complete because it not only has those moments you find pleasant, but it has a bottom too, moments that you dislike. There's some comment about evil or pain being important, because without it how can we understand happiness and good times? Matt didn't get to feel some of these emotions I'm betting, which may be why he was so oddly violent towards his brother. Not because he hated him, but because he was normal, and accepted into a role in society.

Matt was probably lonely in his life, and success can ruin a person.

[–] indianapolisbeth 14 years ago

Dude, SPOILER ALERT! Seriously

[–] skampdmb 13 years ago

There you go, the answer to your question. Tim could handle it, Matt couldn't, or rather never did want to. The mother even made a comment once that she could never talk to Matt the way she talked to Tim. I think Matt felt alone. The sister Penny seemed close to Tim as well. The only one Matt had was the father and he, in Matt's eyes, was only interested in Matt's success in swimming. Also, Tim was only Matt's half brother. He was probably angry about that in the first place, which is why he took all his anger out on him, but the fact that his mother favored Tim and was closer to Tim probably depressed him more. You could tell Matt felt alone, he was pretty much forced into doing something he hated, and had to live this double life, thus his suicide. That's my take on it anyway, hope that helps!

[–] heiko78 10 years ago

This is pretty much the best analysis of Matt's character I've read so far. There's only one little thing I'm not sure about: do Matt, Penny and Tim know that Ben is not Tims father? It's been a while since I've seen the movie (I love it, but I don't want to see it too often), but if I'm not totally wrong, it's a matter of the parents.

Ben, indeed, is too much into success to be a really good father (anyway, I love that scene when he finally talks to Tim, though I still think it's more desperation than realizing that his family needs him).

[–] KelJu 12 years ago

Suicide is caused by the feeling of no escape. I think Matt felt like he had no control over his life and no way out. Matt's father demanded athletic excellence from him. Sure, he didn't demand it using force, but he only showed approval when Matt was a winner. He was too afraid to disappoint his father and quit swimming and live his life, so he took the only way out that he could see at the time.

Jeff was a real piece of *beep* and he was mostly responsible for Matt's suicide. He was selfish and cruel to everyone.

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Tim seemed to accept failure as a way of life. Plus he had one friend as an anchor. Matt didn't seem to have anyone only other people's expectations. Tim was able to find some safe place with his art. He didn't give up. Matt gave up.

she loved poetry and romance, but she hit the glass ceiling at birth