MovieChat Forums > Total Recall (1990) Discussion > Only Possible Proof That It's Real

Only Possible Proof That It's Real

posted 2 months ago by Zinger (2229)
2 replies | jump to latest

The only possible proof that it's real is the fact that when Quaid is initially struggling at Rekall and the doctor says she hasn't implanted the ego trip yet, Quaid is unconscious. Plus all the moments where Quaid isn't present; like when Cohagen seems genuinely disappointed that he has to kill Quaid (why is that a memory?).

This would imply that it's either real or that you can have memories implanted of what is happening to you while you, the protagonist, are unconscious or not present.

[–] strntz (11339) 23 days ago

I think 95% of what we see says it's real and 5% are little hints that it's not - hints that are not difficult to explain away.

Probably the most compelling hint that it's a dream and not reality is that Quaid sees Melina in the Rekall selection monitor before he's put to sleep. My explanation for that is that he was already under the drug's effect and he was just about asleep when he saw Melina on the screen.

[–] aavfreak (3003) 23 days ago

That's my basic takeaway. It that we see events as they occur separate from Quaid's experience.

If this is an implanted memory, indistinguishable from the memory of an actual vacation, then why would he experience events outside of his own perception?

The counter argument to this is that if it the procedure had gone wrong, then his mind could certainly invent the experiences. There's no reason you can't dream about things you're not present for.

However, this wouldn't explain how Quaid himself would be confused if it's reality or not. If he is experiencing events outside of his perception, as in a dream, then he knows he's not in reality.