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Michael Cera's subtly homosexual character (SPOILERS)


I'm surprised no one's mentioned this one yet, but perhaps I'm looking too much into some of the scenes and character interactions. I forget the actor's name, but aside from Brink I'm referring to the one who played Augustin (Sara's boyfriend) as the other male character. If you rewatch the movie, really pay attention to the scenes with Brink and Augustin. Brink is constantly vying for Augustin's attention (asking to watch a movie, playing roller tennis, etc.), especially when Augustin is talking to the female characters and/or about Sara. Augustin's sister even awkwardly asked Brink "if he ever had a girlfriend," which Brink quickly explains away before changing the subject. Augustin's sister again makes an almost knowing comment during the scene when Alicia was hypnotized and giving Brink a lap dance; the sister said Brink "wouldn't know what to do" and "look how uncomfortable he is" (which he actually was). Even when Alicia later sexually assaulted Brink with her crotch, Brink was clearly disgusted and mortified by the experience. Check out just before Sara returns -- there's one scene with Brink dressed up as "that dog" (NOTE: he attacks Augustin FIRST) and again in a private conversation between Brink and Augustin. For the latter, Brink makes a snide comment about Sara's dysfunctional family heritage. Augustin, perhaps offended, walks away and Brink is left moping, as if sad that Augustin doesn't acknowledge Brink's affections.

Augustin was the most understanding character to Alicia outside her sister/cousin (didn't catch the familial relation), which someone who is more sensitive and in touch with his emotions tends to act. Brink (Michael Cera's character) was buffoonish but generally harmless; however, he grew aggressively more critical or obnoxious when around the women in the story. Why would Brink be interested in what Augustin was dreaming about when waking up with the erection? These only male characters in the story share a secret.

Here's my (somewhat obvious) interpretation of the Brink/Augustin relationship: Brink is "in the closet," trying his hardest to deny his homosexuality, but his effiminate personality and his outward attempts at heterosexuality ("I love p*ssy") are an undeniable giveaway. Augustin is perhaps bisexual, possibly having experimented once with Brink, hence Brink's subtle jealousy over Sara. Again referencing the scene where Brink is trying to get Augustin's attention to watch a movie, Brink asks Augustin about his sexual exploits, seemingly touching himself at the thought of it. He's also too overtly trying to mask his homosexual feelings by announcing his "wish that Alicia was here to keep him warm." That wasn't for him but rather Augustin, maybe to get a reaction out of him. What do you guys think?

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Subtle?! You have got to be kidding! You don't have to "really pay attention," to see that Cera's character was a closeted homosexual because the innuendoes were apparent and plentiful. And as you point out, just in case you somehow didn't pick up on them, there is actually a scene where the audience can blatantly SEE Cera's character masturbating while asking Augustin to talk about sex! I can't even believe that I'm replying to this thread, but I honestly cannot believe that you posted such a comment as if you've discovered some sort of breakthrough analysis. His unrequited feelings were a motivation for his cruel behavior.

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