Why didn't he shoot? - The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2006) Discussion

[–] McEwansExported 14 years ago

Must admit I thought he was going to shoot.

Only things I can think of is that they had been friends, he was a law man and maybe he could empathise with what Pedro was doing.

Other than that, maybe the film was running behind and Dwight had a concert to go and do and could not be round for the rest of the production :-)

It was a bit odd and seemed to interrupt the flow of the story.

reply

[–] mastholte 14 years ago

Yeah, both count for a reason. I too had an idea finally last night ;) Well, not very backed up, but still. Other than holding the shot out of friendly concern, he seemed to me unable to choose whom to punish ;) Like, he asked himself, whose side he was on and why he should help one or the other. I thought maybe it was then that he made up his mind to drop out and take a vacation. Still then, he was shown sitting there with his lover asking her where Pete had gone...

Whatever, it did not seem to run counter other things, they are all like that here, and I love it ;)

reply

[–] heherrera 14 years ago

they had obviously been friends but something happened and they parted... the woman probably??
i believe deep down the sheriff knows norton is guilty and he doesnt want anything to do with the cover up of the bp... so he goes on vacation. haha

reply

[–] Piers1 14 years ago

Compassion. Human empathy. Sometimes, for the sake of his own moral integrity, a man has to act bigger than himself, bigger even than the law, if that's what it will take.

The sheriff had the depth of personality to be able to discriminate that this is where Pete was. He himself joined him there.

This was a great movie.

"Don't Trust the Heart - It Wants Your Blood."

reply

[–] richardmacdon 13 years ago

+1

reply

[–] jamesowen-2 14 years ago

My interpretation was that he didn't wish for the responsibility, just as he avoided investigating the shooting of Melquiades. While you could argue it was an act compassion, much of the film showed Belmont lacked the fibre to take control of the situation and I think that was key to his choice in this scene.

reply

[–] TheTurkish 13 years ago

i was also thinking that maybe he was also in a lack of confidence and he did not want to risk taking the shot as there was the possibility to shoot Mike ,and that could have gotten him in some big *beep* ... it's not easy to shoot a moving target from that far away with that rifle ,the slightest shake when you take the shot from that far out takes the bullet anywhere

reply

[–] rzajac 13 years ago

I think it's a fantastic scene; it evokes empathic thinking/feeling in the viewer.

I mean, just think of it: What was going through Belmont's head?

I suppose there's some leeway in interpretation, but my personal take was that a rush of logical thinking surged through his mind: He felt reasonably assured the wrongful murder of a Mexican at the border by a border enforcement official could be covered up, but killing a white man would force an investigation; and that expanding investigation would surely reveal the horrific truth.

Simple as that? Maybe yes, maybe no.

reply

[–] Crimpo2 13 years ago

OK - Belmont covers up the murder because he doesn't want to prosecute a fellow officer over an act of stupidity (either he discounts the death of a Mexican or he reasons that either way the Mexican is dead). However, he then has the chance to shoot the man who is avenging his friend and exposing the events. That is going just too far for him. A friendly cover-up is one thing but killing someone he knows well is a very different matter.

The sheriff is administering literal judgement calls - or following the path of least resistance if you take a less friendly view of him.

reply

[–] rzajac 13 years ago

Crimpo,

Beautifully put, and thanks.

-raz

reply

[–] gtbarker 12 years ago

This a complete no brainer and if you don't understand why he didn't shoot then you don't understand the film at all. He had his job to do and his job is keeping the peace, even if that means covering up the manslaughter of an innocent man who as an illegal immigrant probably wouldn't have anyone asking awkward questions about. This leads him into conflict with Pete wants those answers and because he wants to see justice done, but this means a lot of trouble and so he tries to keep a lid on it. But that doesn't mean he doesn't agree with Pete. So why should he shoot him? He didn't shoot him for the same reason he put the four by four in the ditch - if he didn't he would been forced to stop Pete and he didn't want to do that. Rachel even tells Pete that the sheriff left the border patrol try to track him down.

reply

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

he didn't want to get involved.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

reply

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

On top of all that's been said above, shooting a man in cold blood without warning from a distance away; that's pretty extreme for what...the kidnapping of a suspect border patrol officer.

He didn't want to be the judge, jury and executioner of an old friend. Once he decides against pulling the trigger you can feel the relief on his face when he rolls over.

reply

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

yep. good points.

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

reply

[–] KnockKnock1 8 years ago

Makes sense compassion was shown by that character, and it deepens the meaning of it all.

reply