Why wasn't Alfred surprised to see Bruce at the end?
.
shareHe was but at the same time there wasn't anything left to say, he knew that Bruce had made it and that he was happy. Didn't you pay attention when Alfred alluded to this at the very beginning?
shareJust imagine you think your adopted son is dead, and then you see him alive. Regardless of the circumstances, just casually nodding is the most bizarre and inhuman response imaginable. There also was a lot to say.
shareNot at all, he knew Bruce had made it and that he was happy, a nod was all that was needed, again they set this up 17 minutes into the movie you weren’t paying attention
shareI was paying attention, that's why I said "regardless of the circumstances". I have no problem suspending my disbelief in movies, but not when it's completely ridiculous.
Alfred is a human, so he should've reacted like one. If anyone saw their adopted son they believed to be dead, they'd be so shocked, they wouldn't be able to think about that. Their human instincts would take over, and their automatic response would be to run over and hug them.
I don't think you were paying attention, Alfred flat out said that he wouldn't need to say anything to him but he would know that he made it and was going to be alright. I'm pretty sure Nolan would understand his own character better than you would.
share[deleted]
You completely missed my point. My point is none of that matters. All that matters is that Alfred didn't react the way any human would automatically react, even in those circumstances.
Also, here's another reason that scene is completely ridiculous: I understand why Alfred wanted Bruce to leave Gotham, so he could be happy. But why does that mean they had to end their relationship? Why couldn't they continue their father-son relationship, and never talk about Gotham? They made each other happier.
What defines how a “normal human” would react? His actions were consistent with his character, I have no idea what you’re complaining about . Also he said quite clearly he never wanted Bruce to come back to Gotham, if they started having an in-depth conversation reflecting on past times Bruce might change his mind about leaving Gotham. Seriously man pay attention.
shareI know for a fact that if anyone had an adopted son who they loved, and was believed to be dead, and was later found alive, nobody would react the way Alfred did, no matter the circumstances. It would be downright impossible. There are some automatic responses that are unavoidable.
They didn't need to reflect on past times, they could've just had a normal father-son relationship. They could've Skyped every day, and Alfred could afford to visit frequently. There are lots of things they could've spoken about that aren't related to Gotham or the past. I don't even think they'd need to limit their conversation topics though, Bruce is too strong to change his mind about leaving Gotham.
You still haven't explained what defines a "normal" human interaction. Alfred's character clearly establishes that is how he would react to this situation. Also having them hug and make up and everything would have been too cliched and stupid, the way the scene was shot was absolutely perfect.
shareI never mentioned anything about "normal human interaction". I assume you mean "reaction". Well I'm using common sense. I understand you're more willing to suspend your disbelief than me, but I think you know nobody would react that way in real life. They couldn't even if they wanted to, it would be physically impossible. Basic human instincts would take over.
Alfred did say that would be how he'd react, but obviously he didn't mean if he believed Bruce was dead.
How do you define what is common sense and what isn't in this situation? Alfred specifically said it was his fantasy that "you wouldn't say anything to me nor me to you, but we'd both know that you made it and that you were happy". You're talking nonsense here. Please show me where he said he wouldn't want that to happen if he thought Bruce was dead? Also in those 7 years for all he knew Bruce could have been dead, he hadn't heard from him in forever. I think you're looking for something to complain about.
share