Does anyone notice the expression on Foley's face after Mayo says that he will never forget him on his first salute? And then after he says to Mayo "Get the hell out of here" seems like Foley tries to keep his composure. My reading of this scene is that Foley was clearly touched by Mayo but he could not permit himself to drop off his defenses. What do you think?
shareAgree that 1000% Also he's probably glad mayonnaise proved him wrong- overcame his faults and is on his way to being a true officer
shareSomehow Foley probably saw Mayo's graduation as his own accomplishment, at least in part. He could have easily sacked Mayo once and for all after discovering his side bussiness, but he didn't, and instead he tested and pushed Mayo to break down and rebuild his selfish character. And Foley also could have let Mayo DOR before the end but he didn't either, and instead offered Mayo a chance to get rid of his anger by fighting. For all his toughness Foley came to respect Mayo in the end. It was no surprise that he put Mayo's silver dollar coin in his right pocket, because he recognized Mayo was a special candidate.
sharerenzo,
You are 100% spot on here. Foley knew early on that Mayo could be trouble and during the "torture weekend" he told him that he did some background checking on the family and he was talking about his dad being a "whoooooooooor chaser" and all. I think Mayo was kind of a project for him. Same with the fight in the hangar.... It's also why he placed Mayo's silver dollar in a different place. It was all about character-building. Don't forget that Mayo could have gone for the record on the obstacle course but he decided to help Seagar over the wall.
So yeah, behind all of the toughness, Foley is human and Mayo telling him "he'll never forget him" was probably an emotional catharsis. I always thought it was a great moment in the movie.
You are correct. Another hint regarding Foley's emotions at that moment is when he placed Mayo's silver dollar in his right pocket (he placed all of the others in his left pocket.) This signifies that Foley had a higher regard for Mayo than the others (as part of the silver dollar tradition.)
shareYeah, Mayo definitely meant something for Foley. That's why he placed his silver dollar coin in his right pocket, because he was an special candidate.
shareIt's not so much dropping defenses as maintaining military bearing. Foley is a professional and wants to maintain the solemnity of the tradition. However, he knows that Mayo has come further than anyone, from a selfish con-artist, to a dedicated leader. He knows the others will do well, based on the strengths they came with; but, he recognizes that Zack has learned what his strengths really are and that it takes teamwork to accomplish things, not just in the military environment; but, in life. It is very rare to see someone grow like that, in a rarely short period of time. To Foley, mayo is much a son to him as any biological child. He knows that Zack will truly excel; because he has conquered the toughest challenges and won't be stopped.
Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!
Maybe you're right and it's just military bearing and solemnity on Foley's part. To me, the turning point was the weekend when Foley had Mayo for himself to break. After that Mayo gained Foley's respect. However it took more time for Mayo to finally respect Foley. He had to pass through the rest of the course and Sid's tragic death and his subsequent fight with Foley to realize that Foley was not just a tough and rough DI who wanted to make him quit, but a man who was teaching him to become a truly military leader.
shareEXACTLY, for he REALLY wasn't supposed to Graduate, for Foley was RIGHT in his initial evaluation of Mayo; Selfish, broken home, arrogant, and not very smart (book wise), but the 1st DOR incident when Foley broke Mayo down, revealed his EVOLUTION,
He helped Seagar, stood up to Foley,..when others wouldn't, not going to get into his Best Friend dying (too easy).
And remember after their fight Foley actually stated "It's Up to you?" Clearly indicating to me,..he wanted him to graduate.
This is a Great Movie as it pertains to us Men Maturing. Though I recall Foley using a stronger word than "H3LL"?
"Foley tries to keep his composure. My reading of this scene is that Foley was clearly touched by Mayo but he could not permit himself to drop off his defenses. What do you think?"
Your interpretation is on the money. That was my initial reaction, still is today as I am watching the movie right now.
shareForgot to add, that last scene between Foley and Zack is only equaled by Robin Williams and Matt Damon's scene in Good Will Hunting.
I'd give the nod to Foley and Zack, only because you kinda see Matt Damon's breakdown coming, at least I did.
I didn't know Foley and Zack would be able to keep their composure, for both benefited so greatly in that experience.
GREAT, GREAT,..movie.
And let's not forget how grateful Zack was for what Foley did for him. Zack understood what Foley was trying to do, even though he got a good laugh at Foley using the same lines on the next group of candidates.
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"You can't spend the rest of your life on a surfboard."
"Yes I can."---Blue Hawaii