MovieChat Forums > The Bridge (2007) Discussion > Ignorant

Ignorant

posted 10 years ago by MaeLeeMae
7 replies | jump to latest

Eric Geleynse. I wonder if this man winces when he watches and listens to his ignorant comments in the documentary The Bridge. Zero compassion. All he can talk about is how exhilarating he finds kiting ("it's awesome") and how he just doesn't get how someone can kill themselves. "The whole thing is just crazy to me. I just don't understand it". I googled this guy and he's a realtor in San Francisco selling multi million dollar
homes. I'm sure the old man in the beginning of the film would love to be young, happy, trouble free and kiting in the bay rather than crippled with debilitating depression and jumping from the bridge to end his pain.

[–] latherzap 10 years ago

Relax. I think you TOTALLY misinterpreted the man. I did not at all feel he was judging the suicide, I think he was just conceding that he has trouble comprehending what suicidal people are going through. He talks about kiting to illustrate the poignant contrast between what he and a fellow nearby human felt at the exact same time.

And why is it relevant that he sells multi million dollar homes? Is that just a bonus comment to further try and make him sound selfish?

[–] AnonOneFour 10 years ago

I agree with "latherzap" above. And he bothered me at first also, but when I watched the movie the second time I understood more what he was trying to get across. I also think the director used his comments because you can see and hear how passionate he is about his hobby. How alive he must feel doing it. And to me that also stands in contrast to the fact that people who commit suicide have lost that passion - for anything! So, the first time I did think he was a bit of an idiot, but the second time I understood him more. Although I did think the other guy was more sympathetic and empathetic.

As for what he does for a living, I don't think it has anything to do with his interview.

[–] MaeLeeMae 10 years ago

It is most certainly relevant. Money doesn't assure happiness but it certainly helps when you don't have financial troubles. It is, as Forrest Gump said, "One less thing". Did you not hear how many of the 2004 jumpers had been homeless, were jobless, or had lost all their money and were sleeping on friend's couches or in their cars? We didn't hear the story of the elderly man who jumped while Eric Geleynse's compassionate friend, Chris Brown was kiting but it wouldn't surprise me if this man was attempting to live on
next to nothing, perhaps without the support system everyone needs. A lot of people are in the same situation and trust me, as one who has been there, it is a heavy cross to bear. It can happen to anyone as I once had it all. Nobody should become complacent with their comfortable lives. The constant stress of waking up every day, working hard for next to nothing, just trying to keep your head above water can and does induce depression. Gene Sprague's friend, Ms. Pressley points out that it's a small step to empathize.

[–] lazulisienna 9 years ago

I've been to San Francisco a few times and absolutely love the city, but the contrast between how much homelessness there is there and how overpriced the housing is is stark. Knowing those clueless statements come from someone who represents part of the homeless problem there is totally relevent.

~The painter should not paint merely what he sees in front of him but also what he sees within him.

[–] latherzap 9 years ago

ehh, ok.

[–] Clemencedane 8 years ago

Homeless people flock there from all over the country. Most of them weren't made homeless by San Francisco.

[–] kellycallie (728) 6 years ago

Maybe one day he'll lose a child or experience some other devastating life event and then realize life is not all roses.