MovieChat Forums > Big Eyes (2014) Discussion > What was the "shocking" scene?

What was the "shocking" scene?

posted 9 years ago by holesahoy
11 replies | jump to latest

In one review it said there's one particular scene that's quite "shocking" & "dark", was that when Margaret was locked up?

[–] rosek102 9 years ago

Possibly the scene where the husband went a little crazy and started throwing lit matches at Margaret and her daughter. They fled to her studio for safety, but he started tossing matches through the keyhole and successfully started the room on fire (although Margaret and the daughter got out).

[–] holesahoy 9 years ago

Bloody hell, I've heard he was slightly crazy aha.

I've never read it officially but I have read online that Walter apparently "locked" (emphasis on "locked" due to unconfirmed) Margaret in a basement in a fit of hysteria to make her produce the painting he wanted.

[–] rosek102 9 years ago

Yeah, I've read that he never let her leave the house, ever. The story about the matches is true too--he actually did do that, and that's when she left.

[–] BilboTheDefiler 9 years ago

throwing matches as a threat.. right. 

[–] lhardman_763 9 years ago

Throwing matches into a closed room with turpentine in it (a can of which Margaret knocked over as she tried to stomp out one match) -- yup, thats a threat.

[–] denise1234 9 years ago

I think that scene could have been done a bit better.

I would have immediately moved those flammables out of the way of incoming matches and would have had no trouble stomping those little guys out.

From history vs Hollywood <dot> com:

"Did Walter Keane nearly burn down their Woodside, California home?: In the movie, we see Christoph Waltz's character flicking matches at Margaret (Amy Adams) and her daughter Jane (Madeleine Arthur). He then shoves burning matches through the keyhole of Margaret's studio, which ignite a spilled can of turpentine. Court documents reveal that Walter made threats "to burn the house down and kill her if she tried to leave him."

"Shake your hair girl with your ponytail"

[–] Wombstar 9 years ago

Never understood why she had turpentine when the paints were acrylic ?

[–] charlesdusk 9 years ago

Throwing matches on people's clothes. That's pretty threatening. Unless you think clothes don't burn? and he through it at a child.

[–] lantzn 9 years ago

Especially with all the polyester worn in those days.

[–] zinabaggins 7 years ago

do you see it as a sign of affection?

[–] darkzero 9 years ago

The torture-porn generation doesn't find anything threatening unless it involves a chainsaw.

Originality needs a reboot.