Posted by Josh at ww-tf02.proxy.aol.com on March 19, 1998 at 21:40:32:
In Reply to: Re: I only had one problem with CHASING AMY posted by Kelpie242 on March 19, 1998 at 21:19:27:
: For starters, yes she lied. But the reason that there's a lot of "Holden's such a fuckwit male" subtext is because he doesn't really care that she lied. The only thing that really bothered him that she had done those things and the point that was trying to be put across was that regardless of when he was told, it would have bothered him and ultimately been the downfall of their relationship.
: Interesting but...
: I don't know man, it seemed an evasion of an issue. I think the storie's point (if indeed it was anti-Holden's attitude) would have been better shown with out Alyssa lying. Because the lie, for me and a few people I've talked to, clouds the issue (and the themes?). Maybe Holden would have freaked out if she told him the truth, maybe he wouldn't have. The fact is she didn't have the faith the find out.
: I don't want to get all serious, I mean it's just a movie, but it seemed to me they were both at fault. And maybe that was the point. I don't know.
: 242
Yes, in reality she should have told the truth, no question. But for the story's sake to better illustrate Holden's insecurities, he had to be shoved into the mix by Cohee's story instead of gradually by a knawing understanding that she was previously (keyword here: previously) a slut. Holden wouldn't have been as bothered had she told the truth. The whole thing would have been averted. But then again he might not have fallen so hard for her either, because I mean who falls in love with the town whore?
The lie is important because in many ways Holden is the victim. Just look at the end of the film where he has nothing but a slowly mounting career whereas his once best friend's career is exploding as well as his ex's career (Alyssa), who has also found comfort in the arms of another. What did he have? Heartache. Was it deserved? No, he was a nice guy who loved her genuinely and honestly but made a bad decision. But he learned something extremely important from all that and became a better person. So was it necessary? For this particular story, yes, it was.