Why did their son,,,,,(SPOILERS)

I guess even if there was a reason, it doesn't make us understand any better. For some the reason feels "too small", but for the shooter it was enough.

That's sort of the whole point. They didn't know. The parents were racking their brains and tearing themselves and each other apart trying to figure out what they did wrong, but at the end of the day, there was no way for them to know. And even if they could, there was no way to fix it.

I felt that was the whole point of the film. Some actions just cannot be justified, and even if we are given a reason, it doesn't really make it any easier to understand. This kid was clearly *beep* up, and it almost destroys his parents as they wonder why he would do such a thing. Was it their fault? Or was the kid just mentally unstable? If so, why was he mentally unstable? Is it because of his parents or chemical unbalance? It kind of makes it fascinating in a way. I didn't love this movie but I can't criticize it for not giving a reason as to why Sammy killed those people. If there was supposed to be a specific reason, it would have been touched upon, which it obviously wasn't.

You can't trade magic like *beep* Pokemon cards! - RIP Jesus :(

It was never explained and IMO that's what made this movie so effective. There are some actions, such as going on a murder spree and committing suicide, that are not justified or explainable. This is what made this movie so painful IMO.

I think his pain and anguish went much deeper than his parents having marital problems. It's possible he was just mentally disturbed & a tortured soul. Maybe he was lonesome .. or bullied. We, as the audience, never know ... nor does his parents ever know.

While Kyle's role was not huge, his performance was very effective. He already has what I call very expressive eyes. I also remember his mother saying he was extremely shy and somewhat introverted.




Some hurt, some love, some shout. I fought the world and I lost that bout. ~ Blue October

It wasn't explained in words, but there were plenty of clues.

For example, the opening story about the beach. Who takes the viewpoint of a beach, walked upon and trashed by people? A beach which still loved the people who walked upon it, even though it was unable to tell the people.

Or the brief scene of Sammy reading his heartfelt story to a class and absolutely nobody paying attention or caring.

Or Sammy talking to his mother about snowflakes, how each is made of the same stuff but each turns out different even though most people don't pay attention.

This was a kid who started out being sensitive and then felt rejected by everybody in his life, starting with his parents. Under the right circumstances that can easily turn into the kind of rage that results in a killing spree.

because he was a selfish angry nut case. Why does anyone do this? Theres never a reason

That was actually something I wondered about when the film was over. Not because the reason would have made a shred of difference, but because of the scene where they watch the video Sammy made where he's screaming about how they could have all avoided his rampage. When someone says something like that you kind of expect them to explain how such a thing could have been avoided. Otherwise, what was the point of making such a video?


http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpydj8CqLx1qazkdco1_500.gif

I think to have a 'reason' for the son's behaviour would move the film into another area of debate that has been done over and over.
This film shone a light on the shock and confusion of the parents, who imperfect as we all are, had to deal with the aftermath and dreadful responsibility of what their son did..and having to face people who needed to blame THEM when they were in just as much pain as the others who died.