James Olsen's "Father" character in Ragtime has a relationship with Coalhouse Walker Jr. that reminds me of some of the
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Amadeus
snorlax3111984 — 9 years ago(November 24, 2016 06:15 AM)
James Olsen's "Father" character in Ragtime has a relationship with Coalhouse Walker Jr. that reminds me of some of the court officials in Amadeus (like Baron Von Swieten and the Archbishop Of Salzburg) and their relationship with Mozart.
"Father" disproves of a lot of what Coalhouse Walker Jr. does and scolds him often, but can't admit there's something special about Coalhouse. In the end, "Father" is willing to walk out of the Library with Coalhouse in the hopes that the police may not kill him. It reminds me of a scene in the director's cut of Amadeus where we learn that, for all of Mozart's insolence and bad judgment, Baron Von Swieten is still willing to help Mozart out of his financial crisis.
Early in Ragtime, "Father" chews out his maid for causing a commotion when she finds an abandoned African-American baby in the garden. I can practically hear "Father" reciting the words of the Archbishop "Why do I have to be humiliated? by one of my own servants?"
In another scene, "Father" is trying to help Coalhouse sort out the problem with his car but Coalhouse tries to keep leaving the scene and "Father" insists he stays. I can hear "Father" repeating the Archbishop's words to Coalhouse "I have no intension of dismissing you, you will remain in my service and learn your place."