MovieChat Forums > Will (2011) Discussion > A bomb in the middle did great damage to...

A bomb in the middle did great damage to the film

posted 10 years ago by ender342
4 replies | jump to latest

A joyous upbeat account of a boy's triumphant adventure -- similar in that respect to many films but a happy two-hour trip -- is suddenly disrupted by the remembrance of a hideous tragedy, an accident for which no one should be blamed but someone is. And then the duo jump back into their car and resume their adventure. The interlude adds nothing to the story; it's more like a giant rip torn through a charming canvas. What were the scriptwriters thinking of? Whatever it was, someone should have stepped in to mend the tear.

[–] hank_saiia 9 years ago

Hi Ender342,

Actually, I think the bomb was crucial to the story. Why on Earth would Alek have risked everything to take this boy across Europe? In Will, he sees the little boy who died. He cannot right that wrong. But he can help another boy who has suffered great tragedy. He doesn't know it, but helping Will is truly his own path to salvation.

In terms of the emotion of the film, yes that was a horrific event. But was it any more of a downer then Will's father dying so soon after their reconciliation? This movie is about overcoming the obstacles that life often throws at us. For Will, it's the death of his parents. For Alek, it's the death of the young boy.

[–] alexander-akrivos 9 years ago

i really liked the movie too.i also think that the bosnian story was not in accordance with the rest.also, i think that there could be a story simpler to give him a motive to drive the kid to turkey.it did not had to be such a tragic one.having said that,this did not prevent me from enjoying the movie.the acting was great,nice to see the late bob and damian who,especially after his unebelievable performance in "cursed" brody in homeland,i believe him to be one of the best actors around.all the boys are magical.great human emotional ending.a really nice surprise.

[–] lsieg 9 years ago

I think, from the moment you first see Alek, that he is suffering some loss. It was the guilt of the boy's death that accounts for Alek's dour personality and the sadness that pervades him. So Zeno's death is essential to the plot. Although the viewer doesn't realize what is haunting Alek, it is obvious something or some event is. It is revealed in his visit to his hometown.

Alek is able to atone for the tragic accident by helping the boy. Otherwise, it would just be a buddy road story. Alek's personal sorrow lends depth to the film.

[–] bananatime 9 years ago

As other have pointed out, there needed to be a reason given for Alic to feel so strongly about Helping Will.