MovieChat Forums > The Gift (2015) Discussion > Anyone empathise with Simon (Bateman's c...

Anyone empathise with Simon (Bateman's character)?


Did anyone empathise with simon's character at any time during the film? I think this is one of the strong points of the movie... that it allows for enough room to consider Simon's perspective...

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no... not at all... I think Bateman did an excellent job in his role here...
he tried to be remorseful toward Gordo... but ended up beating the crap out of him...

Bateman's character was a sick twisted evil sob...

as a viewer, we're not suppose to empathize with him... unless we were like him... which we shouldn't be.

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FACT: It was fake remorse. Prove me wrong.

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I don't think we are supposed to empathize with Simon at all. Even before we know just what kind of sociopath he is, we are privy to his disdain and cruel mocking of a fellow whom worse offence seems to be being a bit socially awkward. Furthermore, if Gordon's revenge accomplishes something is to bring out Simon's true colours to light. He is still a morally bankrupt bully, out to ruin people's lives. He never once shows true remorse for utterly ruining Gordon's life, and that's why the wife dumps his sorry arse.

The awesome thing about it is we have no reason to believe Gordon was lying about "let bygones be bygones". Even after everything Simon put him through, he was still willing to give him a chance to show he had changed and was a better person. Alas, sociopaths don't change. Simon got his just desserts and I actually cheered at the conclusion.

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No, I thought he was totally abhorrent.

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