MovieChat Forums > The Rite (2011) Discussion > Michael and his Father

Michael and his Father


I don't quite get Michael's relationship with his father. Why does he "hate" him and vice versa. Like why did he want to leave home and mortuary so bad. I know Michael was sick of being a mortician, but I feel like there was more to it. Any explanation would be nice, thanks.

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It wasn't developed enough in the movie to make a clear statement but I think he just didn't want to be a mortician. He didn't want to be a priest either but he was going to get a degree then quit. I thought Michael's character was very weakly drawn.

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Maybe, his father changed after his mother died and as a result their relationship suffered, not too hard to figure that out.

Michael told his friend in the beginning of the movie that in his family, one becomes either a mortician or a priest, and his friend said, 'well just change your name'.
So obviously, becoming a priest would still be considered proper by his father if he no longer wanted to be a mortician.

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For the same reason that all sons resent their fathers, and all fathers are disappointed with their sons.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The standard of love which we are expected to live up to is a standard by which we constantly fall short. We are a sinful, egotistical, and rebellious race undeserving of grace or forgiveness, and yet we are given it anyway so long as we repent.

Just look to your own relationships. How often do you resent those closest to you? Feel frustrated when they interrupt you, or fail to do what you want them to do? These are the normal, venial sins of the day to day, but demons will hold up a darkened mirror to your soul to show you the ugliest elements within yourself. They point out how vile and filthy you are to try and convince you to join them in the pit.

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I don't think they hated each other as none of their actions supported this.

Demons lie after all.

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