Delmar's widow - The first person to wrong Rambo?
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Foot_of_Davros — 9 years ago(September 12, 2016 09:40 AM)
Well, of course what you are saying here is all perfectly plausible in a real life situation dealing with grief. But what I was questioning was whether the way her character was portrayed acting, within the storyline, may have been set up deliberately as "negative".
After all Rambo clearly isn't just some random guy - He shows her Delmar's hand written note of their address and the photo of the old team back in 'nam. This is surely a deliberate means of establishing their bond. Plus Delmar died of cancer, not something sudden, so it seems at least possible he may have at least mentioned the only other surviving member of their team.
So, had she offered him a drink or something to eat, it wouldn't really have seemes incongruous - in fact in another kind of film it may have been played out as quite a cathartic scene for both characters. However, she sends her kid inside (out of the way quick smart) and he's sent straight on his way into his encounter with Teasle
The
truth
about Marti Pellow -
armhammer — 9 years ago(September 12, 2016 03:31 PM)
Actually he wasn't " sent " at all but rather, abruptly turned his back and began to walk away immediately after handing her the picture he had been carrying. This is where we see her demeanor shift significantly, gazing at it affectionately, even appearing oblivious to Rambo at that point.
I think her embitterment in that scene was entirely plausible. Wasn't there a lot of that going around concerning that war? The film begins and ends with that premise.
Your presentation is interesting but kind of a moot point. Your words, " in another kind of film it may have been played out." is telling. Yes, but not this one.
So, to answer your question, it appears as a "negative" but is actually a very effective ' hook,' wasting no time in grabbing the viewer's attention, creating the momentum of what's to follow. By the time he explodes in the jail, we're completely empathetic with his character and feel he's justified.
I think it's also noteworthy that, just prior to meeting the widow, as he's approaching the house, it's the only time in the film we actually see Rambo smiling broadly, appearing very happy. -
DrAndreiSmyslov — 9 years ago(September 12, 2016 07:22 PM)
footofdavros, don't even engage with whinehammer, just look at his profile, if you upset him he will forum stalk you.
whinehammer, you wanna play psycho stalker, that's a two way street. Now when you're bawling your eyes out, remember it was you who started this childish forum stalking game. See you in the next forum you post, pumpkin.
Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten. -
DrAndreiSmyslov — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 06:16 PM)
And I think he is smart enough to look at your profile and see I'm not lying you're nothing but a pathetic forum stalker. Now why would he even chance it going by proof he can see with his own eyes, you clueless moron.
Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten. -
DrAndreiSmyslov — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 06:47 PM)
That was weak, little crybaby. Most members avoid psychos like you by simply not replying to your bait posts. Anyone can see when you get butthurt, you stalk that person. All your insults here CANNOT change your profile history, ya dumb puke.
Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten. -
armhammer — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 07:02 PM)
I was wondering when you were going to use that predictable insult against me.
According to your own words, I don't have much of a profile here but you do and a prolific posting history.
Better get busy and start deleting if you want to save face. -
DrAndreiSmyslov — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 07:08 PM)
This isn't about my profile, little crybaby. Nothing will be changed, I'm not here to save face. I'm here, or any forum you go, to flick a known forum stalker's ears and I will continue doing it until it no longer amuses me.
You obviously wanted my attention when you initiated your pathetic stalking on me because you got your widdle feelwings hurt. Congratulations, you got my attention.
Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten. -
DrAndreiSmyslov — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 07:35 PM)
Don't you worry about me, little psycho. Stop trying to divert the main focus that you are a confirmed forum stalker. Rest assure I will see to it we don't lose sight of that, mmmkay, pumpkin?
Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten. -
NutMustardx — 9 years ago(September 12, 2016 05:41 AM)
That's what I said in another postwhy didnt she say it looks like you traveled a long way to come see him, come on in for a drink.let's talk about him, tell me your time w him or something. beep dead.see you later buddy, go walk off . What a rude biatch
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Hendry_William_French — 9 years ago(September 13, 2016 12:34 AM)
It was Delmar's mom, wasn't it?
She's not being cold on purpose, she's just sad and bitter at the manner in which her son died. Rambo meets a bereaved mother who just doesn't have the energy to engage him in a friendly way - understandable. I don't think she's pissed at Rambo or wrongs him at all.
Also, It works well in the film for Rambo to basically be cut off from everyone. At the start, he's not being hugged and greeted with open arms and he then finds out his friend and the last surviving member of his team is gone. Thus, when Rambo goes into town and Teasle confronts him, he's already feeling even more lonely - and it goes from there. It's a great set up.
Plus, we wouldn't have a movie if Delmar's mom treated Rambo like a son and gave him a place to crash for a few days.
And you can deal with me; Doug Masters! -
Foot_of_Davros — 9 years ago(September 14, 2016 01:31 AM)
It was Delmar's mom, wasn't it
Ha, I went back to check that out - but you can't just watch that without watching the first showdown with Teasle, then the police station scene, then the chase, then well, next thing you know, I've watched the whole thing again
Anyway, re the widow / mom, I couldn't really say - she does look a bit older, but not way, way older. The Rambo wiki page, for what it's worth, doesn't help much either, it says "widow (possibly mother)".
Either way, like you say it sets the scene up nicely, and as Rambo goes on to say later "There are no friendly civilians"
The
truth
about Marti Pellow -
Hendry_William_French — 9 years ago(September 19, 2016 01:06 AM)
Ha, I went back to check that out - but you can't just watch that without watching the first showdown with Teasle, then the police station scene, then the chase, then well, next thing you know, I've watched the whole thing again
Haha, that's not surprising. First Blood has unbelievable pacing and editing the momentum of it just makes it such an entertaining and watchable movie. I could watch FB once every couple of weeks and never get bored.
Anyway, re the widow / mom, I couldn't really say - she does look a bit older, but not way
It's just way she acts. She just seems very motherly, like the way she speaks and the way she is dressed. Delmar would've been the same age as Rambo, and that lady looks older.
Either way, like you say it sets the scene up nicely, and as Rambo goes on to say later "There are no friendly civilians"
I think the 'no friendly civilians' was aimed at Teasel, but Rambo at least understood what she was saying, and knew her bitterness was not directed at not him. I reckon had Rambo not decided to walk away voluntarily after giving her Delmar's picture, he would've been invited in.
I think a lesser film would've had Rambo welcomed with open arms and invited inside at least, but First Blood was smart and just had him out of there as soon as he got there - emphasizing how Rambo is always continually on the move alone - theme of the movie ie "It's a Long Road". He's got no time to stop and have friendly chats. It suited the opening narrative perfectly. Colonel Trautman is the first and only character to warmly talk to and embrace Rambo - it's perfect that way. -
strntz — 9 years ago(September 28, 2016 09:37 AM)
She's not being cold on purpose, she's just sad and bitter at the manner in which her son died.
^^This.
And she wasn't just bitter, she was effing bitter. Delmar served his country proudly and bravely and got cancer for his efforts. Even if the government didn't know the defoliants sprayed during the war would cause cancer later on, did they help mitigate the damage when the soldiers returned?
She saw her big strapping son waste away to death.
Sure she was bitter, and Rambo was just another cog in the war machine to her. Fair? No, but her bitterness is understandable if not condonable.
Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad. -
TheLordofTheHarvest — 9 years ago(December 20, 2016 09:46 PM)
I'm all for understanding her bitterness but she had no reason to be a bitty to Rambo though at all. It's not his fault Delmar got the cancer; nor is it his fault they were even in the war together to begin with. She was just being a rude C word and was rather disrespectful. Maybe it was her personality in general but she could have handled that so much better.
I've seen plenty of widows and mothers who lost sons and husbands before due to both war and fate but I've never seen one that bad.
I'm sure Delmar would have been angered she treated John that bad; it seemed they were the best of buddies. She could have at least gave him lunch or something. He wouldn't have been so moody or hungry when he got to Hope and wouldn't have had the incidents happen.
But then again it makes the movie work too; the whole world's out to get him pretty much. -
strntz — 9 years ago(December 31, 2016 04:04 AM)
I'm all for understanding her bitterness but she had no reason to be a bitty to Rambo though at all.
I didn't justify the level of her bitterness, only explained it:
Sure she was bitter, and Rambo was just another cog in the war machine to her. Fair? No, but her bitterness is understandable if not condonable.
Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.