MovieChat Forums > Neds (2011) Discussion > The boy on the steps

The boy on the steps

posted 13 years ago by Sid-Blitzen
5 replies | jump to latest

When John is delivering newspapers, and encounters the new boy on the steps, is this boy the Canta character who threatened him earlier?

If so, why does he want his fellow-neds to beat him up (or allow John to beat him up, I didn't altogether follow the discussion they had about this new kid in the neighbourhood)?

Had not big brother Ben and a colleague dealt with Canta earlier, and John had shaken his head, to spare Canta a worse hiding? Surely this should have ended the beef between John and Canta? Why the need to beat him up again years later?

[–] Ghasters 13 years ago

I think it was just the jealousy that got to him when the others brought him into the gang with open arms and just ignored what he said.

Analog players in a digital world

[–] bootblack987 12 years ago

I thought the new neighbour was definitely the Canta character who threatened John as a youngster.

What's different now is that John has a lot more to be angry about through the various crap that's been thrown in his path. He has not had an outlet to let go of his anger, and with disadvantage youth, the place they most likely get their anger out of their system is with their fellow youth. Canta just showed up in the wrong place...at the wrong time.

Plus it seemed like John's gang was welcoming someone who wronged him, which made it sound like they were taking Canta's side instead of John's.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Noir-82 12 years ago

really? it didn't seem like the transformation was a quick one. it was actually rather slow and progressive which i thought was well done by the film.

[–] tohu 11 years ago

The other difference is the shift in the balance of power. Canta is now weak, isolated and vulnerable. The outsider, trying to get in. And he knows it. Whereas John is a popular member of a strong gang.

This should give John the power. But life's not that simple...

_____________

"Maybe I should go alone"
- Quint, Jaws.