Richard and Anthony (contains spoilers)

[ukzombie]

After watching Dead Man’s shoes for the first time the other day, just a question.

When we first meet Richard we see him talking to Anthony and they walk side by side, we follow on through the film and I notice no other characters talk to Anthony and no one notices his presents (apart from back scenes in black and white). I also notice Richard never tries to reassure Anthony (Alarm bells start ringing).

Does Richard know Anthony’s sprit is present and a guiding force?

or is Richard a schizophrenic (twin personality)? Brought on by the trauma of losing his brother and the gilt of not being able to stop the proceedings.

I know this is a deep question, but it’s a thought provoking film and very well written.

Can anyone tell me if Paddy Considine comes on this forum or is it better to post on his forum page, as I’m interested what his take is when he wrote Dead Man’s Shoes?

[elrina]

Hi, I think that Anthony is really here in his brther heart, is not a schyzophenic attitude. When somebody die arond you, first you feel it, and in your sadness, course you can speek him. I also feel like if, for Richard, Anthony is always alive. Not physically, but he never die, and also he could not because Richard was not here, so he feels responsable, and he will only accept that death when he will had revenge on it.

[ukzombie]

I suppose everyone grieves in their own way and in what way you grief depends on your own temperament.

As Richard is ex forces, he has been trained to kill; I suppose that's his only release, from the torment he feels ?

Good answer 'elrina'

[Gareth]

I think I can remember Paddy acutally saying in an interview somewhere that his brother died at an early age and that his dad would sometimes talk to his brother, not in a wierd way, but sometimes he'd come down stairs and hear his dad talking to himself

appologies if thats wrong but it's what I seem to remember

[carolyn]

garethbowler said:

I think I can remember Paddy acutally saying in an interview somewhere that his brother died at an early age and that his dad would sometimes talk to his brother, not in a wierd way, but sometimes he'd come down stairs and hear his dad talking to himself

appologies if thats wrong but it's what I seem to remember

I think in the commentary for DMS Paddy says that he had an uncle who spoke to a brother who he had lost like he was still around. I may be wrong, but I think that was what was said.

Carolyn x

[PatrickCoyle]

I think it was also mentioned on the DVD that the scenes were all shot both ways, with and without Anthony there.

It's strange how DMS feels like one of the most grounded, realistic films I've ever seen, even though it has a quite large supernatural element to it in a way.

[sinbad1971]

I think the way Anthony trails behind in the opening credits suggests that hes not really there in anything but spirit, Richard seems as though he is walking alone unaware of Anthony behind and I suppose that was intentional. It is strange the way it seems so realistic yet really has a whopper of a twist that some might find hard to swallow, its handled so perfectly though and doesn't feel like it was done just to mis-direct the audience ala 'Sixth sense' at all.

[ukzombie]

sinbad1971 said:

I think the way Anthony trails behind in the opening credits suggests that hes not really there in anything but spirit, Richard seems as though he is walking alone unaware of Anthony behind and I suppose that was intentional. It is strange the way it seems so realistic yet really has a whopper of a twist that some might find hard to swallow, its handled so perfectly though and doesn't feel like it was done just to mis-direct the audience ala 'Sixth sense' at all.

Yes the twist is good, and I did think of 'Sixth Sense', another great film.

[anonlytwin]

i reckon that anthony's presence becomes a suggestion that part of richard has already left the land of the living... that these acts are his last on earth before he joins anthony for real... i think that the dms commentary highlighted this suggestion..

moreover, i think that dms, a truly great work of social realism, becomes a discussion of the disjuncture between fantasy and reality. the fantatical moments only heightening the realistic moments... maybe?