When she sneeringly asks Jimmy about the length of his visit -
a) was she concerned a deadbeat was taking advantage of Mrs. Testagross ?
- or -
b) was she concerned he hadn't returned to take care of his ailing mother ?
Who invited E.T. -?
To me it sounded like Jimmy hadn't come back to visit his mother at all in the previous 25 years, so maybe Mrs. Muller suspected his visit was in self-interest only, for as long as he wanted it to. In other words, Jimmy wasn't there to take his mother's feelings or wishes into account.
There's "its not affecting me", and then there's "its too late"
My fist take was that she was trying to convey to him that she needed his help-
asking how long his stay and questioning how he liked his job as a 'butler'
that, how it was implied she's been assisting Mrs. T for however many years and combined with Mr. Muller's condition which should have been her main priority.
But on my second/third viewing it might appear she was in fact not asking for help as she was in control of the entire situation (the scene where a drunk Jimmy was watching them through the window) and wondering why this outsider was present.
Excellent movie and I'm very interested in opinions on it, so thanks much for the reply vicky.
Who invited E.T. -?
You're welcome :)
yes, the mother-son relationship was very raw and real. One could sense the mother's yearning for a closer relationship, to take care of him as she used to, harkening back to a happier time period in her life, instead of the present when her faculties were declining.
On the other hand, it was fortunate that the mom had caring neighbors who looked in her, and vice versa. This was something Jimmy didn't have in his young life, all those years on the road.
There's "its not affecting me", and then there's "its too late"
The ending, while confessing his current situation she casually shakes her head and states she's always believed in him (combined with the events of the previous night); the realization his problem's stem from his own selfishness.
Powerful!
Who invited E.T. -?
It was indeed a very powerful and honest ending about a mother's tough love for her son who refuses to grow up.
Regardless of the immaturity of Ron Eldard's character, I wouldn't change a thing about that room with the posters of Randy Rhoads and Phil Lynott. It sort of looks like my room actually.
Here's to the Good Rats ...
Jimmy's mother's unconditional love and planting metaphor weren't going to change Jimmy from being a loser slacker. He was a loser from adolescence to the final garden scene. Stil boozing and doping and living in the distant past. Maybe she sensed he'd be living with her until she died and that had been his destiny all along- to take over a caretaker gig from his father. Mommy perhpas felt responsible for birthing such a loser and felt she could help him after all -give him a place to live while he ran errands for her. After her death Jimmy could probably make enough to pay the taxes by selling dope small time. There are plenty of Jimmys who end up in such a setting.
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