So don't even bother with this until after you've seen the film. But after you've seen the film — you know, when you're enjoying a snifter of XO Cognac by the fire and busting out your back issues of Les Cahiers du Cinema in your efforts to untangle the film's inner workings — maybe ask yourself: who was the Tom Waits character?
(Seriously — spoilers ahead.)
Like Costello, he is a violent man who keeps a cute little pet tucked under his arm. Like Billy — or at least like Billy suggests — he is a serial killer of serial killers. Like Hans, he is a vengeful crusader with an African-American love interest. Like Marty, he is a storyteller, horrified by the violence that erupts. And he is a big fat dramatic loose end. So who is he?
So don't even bother with this until after you've seen the film. But after you've seen the film — you know, when you're enjoying a snifter of XO Cognac by the fire and busting out your back issues of Les Cahiers du Cinema in your efforts to untangle the film's inner workings — maybe ask yourself: who was the Tom Waits character?
(Seriously — spoilers ahead.)
Like Costello, he is a violent man who keeps a cute little pet tucked under his arm. Like Billy — or at least like Billy suggests — he is a serial killer of serial killers. Like Hans, he is a vengeful crusader with an African-American love interest. Like Marty, he is a storyteller, horrified by the violence that erupts. And he is a big fat dramatic loose end. So who is he?
I don't know who the Tom Waits character is -- but wait 'til you find out who the Matthew McConaughey character is in "The Paperboy." Very trippy.
Just watched it. Thoroughly engrossing film. Not sure I can answer your question right now. It bears further reflection. as an aside: The vietnamese angle of the story didn't interest me. It seemed too far detached from the other characters.