Brilliant or erroneous? (spoilers)
What do you think, is the ambiguity of Roth's character the film's strength or flaw?
First, Roth's character - if he's so tough and savvy, why the passiveness? It's strange to see him not having a go at this whimpy kid throughout the first part of their journey. Nor does he try to break free when the uncle unlocks the handcuffs and proceeds to relock him.
Why doesn't even try to warn the kid he's bringing more trouble upon himself for carrying a cop? If mind games is his only chance of survival, why doesn't the cop try to do mind games more aggressively to his gain?
Secondly, again, if he's smart, and in the end we're left with the impression that he is, why do they go to the kid's relatives, who are either a direct target or are with the family clan? Even after they witness that his mom is more concerned about the mafia, not the son, next up they go to the guy's godfather.
Third, if we're shown that Roth's character is quite manipulative and cynical - he leaves the vulnerable kid in the middle of nowhere (chances of his survival either the desert or the cartel are slim) - why did he come back for the kid and risked his life against the two remaining shooters? Assuming the backyard had open air, he could've just ran away after getting rid of the third guy.
Yet, he brings the kid along, when he could've left him there.
Is that supposed to show his empathy - that he drags him out of the godfather's house, further away from trouble, but without any notice or advice leaves this 12-year-old-minded kid in the desert? And then, quite literally, steals his car that he earlier said he liked.
That said, and this is where it would get more interesting, is the cop somewhat suicidal? A passive psychopath who's tired of his routine life, soaked in apathy? Even his affair with the gun lady seems to leave him numb. He confessed he liked guns; but in real life, he just can't express that compulsion and thus, yearns for danger? Would that explain his secret willingness not to get out this unexpected (exciting?) escapade, even if it means the very worst?
I liked the film, but these irrationalities are bugging me. A lot.