For me the movie really went downhill during that part.
Far far too much of a difference in the girlfriend, teens just don't change to that degree in reality.
And it was never ever conveyed why the bully went from so mean to a super nice religious guy. Why? Because the girl did?
Other than that, I really liked the movie, but the changes in those two youth were just way off base.
I see it as more of a comparison between Harlon and the other people in his life...
Harlon's father faced a health crisis and that became an impetus for change. Julie goes to rehab and also makes a change. As for the bully, we don't see what happened in his life to make him want to change. But usually when people are faced with a crisis, they reevaluate and make big changes.
Even though Harlon has gone through a bunch of crises and warnings, he is unable to use those events to make a change for the better. He just keeps getting worse. It's a series of really sad missed opportunities.
Perfect analysis! It was like everyone else could somehow move on with their lives too and he just seemed stuck.
share