MovieChat Forums > Over the Edge (1979) Discussion > Did he really need to die? SPOILERS

Did he really need to die? SPOILERS

posted 14 years ago by org1andrew
10 replies | jump to latest

Yes, the end of the movie seemed a little over the edge (bahahaha), and I don't mind that - it was entertaining.

But I think the movie lost a good chunk of "realism-feeling" when Richie died. It wasn't the fact that he died or that the cop shot him that made it feel unreal. Instead, I think it was the atmosphere of the community and characters - there was seemingly no change to the feel.
We're talking about a suburban community where the total of 3 officers have barely anything to do - no "real" crime. If a kid gets shot and killed, I would think the community would just collapse into horror.
Quick example that comes to mind: Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks - everyone in the school just cries - school is let out - it carries a gut-wrenching sadness to it (thanks to David Lynch, no doubt).
But in this movie, I didn't get that feeling at all.

Which is why, I think, it would have worked better if he had been shot and hospitalized - but not died. The movie could have basically stayed the same, and the reactions of the community and the characters would have fit more properly. Even the parent meeting at the end would have fit better (just change the lines in the script from "dead/killed" to "hospitalized/serious injury", and everyone's reactions would be perfect).

Redubbing anyone?

[–] org1andrew 14 years ago

Morning-after change of mind:

Perhaps my growing-up-in-a-21st-century-town perspective is worlds apart from a 1970s suburb.
If most of the students and parents came from the inner-city, they may have been exposed to youth getting killed from gangs, drugs, or whatever, and hence the general reactions we see in the movie might be spot on. Even Carl may have experienced a friend getting killed before.

Anyone have any reliable insights into this?

[–] org1andrew 14 years ago

Just watched River's Edge... beautiful insights into exactly this matter!

Such luck in my choice of movies!

[–] skatepunkkid 13 years ago

Very good reason for that. Tim Hunter who directed RIVERS EDGE, co-wrote the script for OVER THE EDGE.

"This is the west sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

[–] Dear_Oderus_Urungus 13 years ago

I always though those two movies had something in common. I never realized that they were written/directed by the same person. The children in RIVER'S EDGE make it almost unbearable to watch. They're much more annoying than anybody in OVER THE EDGE.

To the world you may just be somebody, but to somebody you may just be the world.

[–] tallkennj 9 years ago

I have to agree that Rivers Edge was a difficult movie to watch. It was just too darn real. No, I didn't know any murderers growing up, but I definitely knew people like the rest of the characters... too much like them. It totally messed with my head the first time I saw it.

[–] kenburke0627 13 years ago

You point a gun at a cop and it's dead meat time!

[–] Quanfa 13 years ago

I think the major source of conflict between the adults and the kids is because of this very thing. The adults and the development planners don't pay any attention to the kids, ignoring their problems - even ignoring the fact that one of the kids was killed, except to call a meeting to discuss the problem WITH the kids - the vandalism, drugs, etc.

It was about a town in denial about the kids - this was pointed out in the opening scrawl. And I don't think there was much time to think about the other students reactions to Richie's death because by then it was about Carl, and his confusion was all over the screen.

I think the way it was done was just fine, but maybe that's just me.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jefgg 11 years ago

Matt Dillon's character met a similar fate in "The Outsiders". He also had a friend named Johnny in both movies.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]