anyone think cyrus actually had the hots for his mom? i know that john c. reilly isn't really a "father figure" but he is competing for molly's affections. the shower scene was pretty creepy too.
shareI had the advantage of having watched this movie twice, without the benefit of audio. Hence, I could only follow the movie as a photographic experience. For some movies, this works fine. In this case, I was unsure of the director's competence-- jerky, shaky camera movements in that kitschy style the TV shows love to give you. Usually a sign of incompetence, so I had my doubts.
If the directors job is to tell the story in pictures, the lack of audio ought not be a major obstacle. At least, the moving images themselves would be assisted by sound, but not replaced by sound. The images ought to stand by themselves, more or less. Okay, that is my theory anyway.
I was on a trans-Pacific flight, and I typically refuse to plug into the sound system since airplane movies are often crap. No real exception here, but I could not resist peeking at Marissa Tomei, plus I like Reilly as an actor.
Here is what I got from it:
1. It was a love triangle story. Clearly a sexual tension between the chubby kid and Tomei. I only read later this was his mom, though the possibility occurred to me while watching, given his obvious immaturity and her sympathy toward him. But, my mind rejected the parental possibility as too creepy. Guess I was wrong.
2. I could tell the Reilly character and his ex- were somehow lovers at some point, but it was not really clear to me that they had been married. Fuzzy relationship there, but not too important in the scheme of things.
3. The pudgy kid really was creepy. Good acting, I assume.
4. O'Reilly character indeed was a sneaky bastard. Likable, but not to be trusted.
5. In retrospect, the director did not do such a bad job, since at least the tense relationship between Pudge and Mom was conveyed visually. Also, Marisa Tomei is one fine actress. Did I mention, I like seeing her?
So, to the answer-- yes, the relationship was Oedipal. Creepy, but true.
Oh, and another clue-- the title of the kid's music CD revealed near the end-- "A Study of Two and Three", or some such. Sort of affirms the theory, I think. Love triangle.
It is pretty interesting what you can learn about a movie by only watching and not hearing it.
by no audio, I assume you mean on a plane?
I just had a similar experience on a flight from Vegas back to Atlanta. Half the film had no sound (had to purchase headset).
Almost wish i kept it audio free. I could have written a story & dialogue that didn't suck.
Most of it wasn't written. It's mostly improv.
-Nailed it.-
i know that john c. reilly isn't really a "father figure" but he is competing for molly's affections.There you have it. Not an oedipus complex.