MovieChat Forums > Duane Hopwood (2005) Discussion > It Hits Home

It Hits Home

posted 18 years ago by CKlubStriP
11 replies | jump to latest

I am not an alcoholic nor a recovering alcoholic; I am not married nor divorced; I do not have any children; I have never been fired from a job; I do not know what it's like to go through withdrawal symptoms; I only know from what I read and observe how a person feels when caught in an addiction; and I never had a starring role on NBC's Friends. But what I do know is the feeling...that deep feeling in the pit of your stomach that grows when the one's you love the most and are close to you leaves. I nearly fell to tears watching the scene that shows Duane watching the Uhaul with his kids and ex-wife drive away. With somewhat uplifting music playing and the look on Duane's face, I just couldn't help but feel that deep feeling in the pit of my stomach that tears me apart. Even though Duane may be able to see his children later, and me being able to see, say, my friend later; the thought of the good times together just walks away. It's not a happy moment. Where do you go from there? I have learned to live and let go, but that feeling still remains. That is what made this film hit home for me.

Anyone else have a similar experience or anything at all?

[–] Murphees00 18 years ago

yes, yes, yes. some movies hit a level of truth others don't approach. the cypher/cypher comments are fine, free country and all, but, what makes a person decide "this is BAD - I want to go on line and diss it"? what a strange impulse. I've never in my life seen a movie and thought "I know, I'm gonna go write some smack about this film!" I mean, come on - get a freaking life you know? it's not about "bad, bad, movie and people have to be WARNED" It should be "gee, so many seem to like this movie, the comments are so positive, but I was... bored, and maybe it's about ME, and maybe I should just leave the film to continue to find an audience that gets it, and appreciates it" It comes down to that old chesnut "if you don't have anything good to say..." but, with the advent of the internet and sites like this, the "opinions and *beep* quotient has risen exponentially, as in, "now I can VENT" instead of, "maybe I should just shut the *beep* up," you know? give it a rest film geekoids. It's not curing cancer. let the people who like the movie, like the movie, resist the 9 year old urge to pontificate just because you can.

[–] CKlubStriP 18 years ago

So what did this movie do for you?

I believe that those who want to diss movies are upset because they wasted moments of their lives; moments they will never get back and they feel they need to warn others of the potentially threatening situation. While it may seem rude on the part of those who enjoy the films, it may appear to be a message of warning to potential viewers. Remember...there will never be a time where everyone will agree on one side. We will always be faced with pros and cons of every situation (and in our case, movies).

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Murphees00 18 years ago

no, sure you're right, but it's like setting up a chair in front of the Louvre and saying "hey man, don't go in there... and if you do - stay OUT of landscapes"

it's just... please people. it's a movie.

and, by the way, I loved "duane hopwood"

[–] CKlubStriP 18 years ago

Yes, i know you loved this movie. But what did it do for you...??

[–] anacostabrazil 18 years ago

CKlubStriP I really liked your comments about the last scene on Duane Hopwood.
I sure know that feeling, it is devastating. And the movie portrayed it so well.
It also hit home for me in other wasy since my father was a recovering alcoholic and I had to watch him go through all the problems Duane goes through too. It was really tough for me and my brother but I only grew to respect (and love) my father more when he joined the AA group and ended checking himself in a rehab clinic. He mahnaged to stay sober for the rest of his life. Sadly he passed away from lung cancer a few years later.

This movie portrays so well the agony and pain of alcoholism, and families getting ripped apart.

David Schwimmer is great as Duane. Totally believable.

[–] Panterken 16 years ago

I almost couldn't finish it b/c it was so recognizable, I've seen our family get torn apart completely because of alcoholism and even though my dad had a good heart, he still lived in denial. He went through a lot of the same problems Duane went through, getting fired, having to move to a tiny appartment because of money problems, he didn't lose visitation rights but that's mainly because we, the kids, insisted. The only big difference is that I know why he began drinking, I don't know why Duane did. My mother was, well still is unfortunately, a possessive, unstable, obsessive person and literally impossible to live with. The whole situation left me with a big bag of commitment issues and then some other stuff I've yet to discover probably. My dad eventually managed to get sober and stayed sober, until he died now 2 years ago. I guess some people can't catch a break.

The ending scenes are very sad, you know Duane's going to see his kids again but still...it's the end of a once happy family.

...I am lost, I'm no guide, but I'm by your side...

[–] CKlubStriP 15 years ago

Some don't even need a reason. The sad thing is it just happens, sucks you in, and you don't even know why you're having problems. I think that's where a lot of the denial can come from.

Not only in a refusal to admit a problem, but more so admitting you have no idea why you have the problem to begin with.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MissMillie420 15 years ago

Yes...His, 'Act now, think it over later' habits reminded me of my Son...

After watching the baseball bat scene in particular and Duane trying to explain that he was just upset, that he wouldn't have hurt anyone, I called my Son and told him he should watch this. He had a lot of child visitation issues as a direct result of his spontainious, bad temper.

Here's to those who wish me well...

[–] morph1066 15 years ago

Good movie. Too bad it didn't get much showing when it first came out.