MovieChat Forums > In My Father's Den (2004) Discussion > Confused about Celia's mother

Confused about Celia's mother


In a movie full of confusing characters, the most confusing to me was Jackie (Celia's mother and Paul's girlfriend), while she was young. What was the deal with this girl? On the one hand, she was supposed to be this rebel punk girl who wanted to become a new Patti Smith. On the other hand, she was having sex with her boyfriend and his father at the same time. How does that all fit together? Perhaps her character would have been more real if the father had raped her (which it seems, he didn't do). Or if Paul had left and Jackie had only then started sleeping with the father (out of revenge). Anyway, the movie could have done some more explaining as to how such a situation could arise. But that doesn't change the fact that it is one powerful movie.

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"On the one hand, she was supposed to be this rebel punk girl who wanted to become a new Patti Smith. On the other hand, she was having sex with her boyfriend and his father at the same time" - henrimaine


I really don't see how these two things are mutually exclusive, or maybe there's something about the Patti Smith connection I'm missing. I think she only had sex with Paul's father (Jeff) that one time that they were discovered, or at least it wasn't implied that it was a regular event.

"Or if Paul had left and Jackie had only then started sleeping with the father (out of revenge)." - henrimaine


In a way Paul sort of did leave her, or at least distanced himself from her a little when he told her she couldn't have all of him, some things he wouldn't share with her. So there might have been a little bit of revenge in Jackie's actions although I think she was more enamoured by Jeff's liberal attitude in what seemed a conservative town (socially liberal and conservative, not politically).

"Anyway, the movie could have done some more explaining as to how such a situation could arise." - henrimaine


I don't think that is necessary, it's the backdrop from which the film evolves. Too much hand holding just distracts from the narrative of the film.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

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