I came to that scene forwarned, so I didn't laugh, but I can see why people would, and it isn't so much out of funny as a sort of weird collision of reaction. There is a sort whiplash to the scene: an intense hopeful reunion then bam, someone's life crumbling in a way she really didn't expect.

Maybe I'm being charitable, but eeaush, I've laughed at moments like that. It's like you don't know how to react and laughter comes easiest.

I barked something that was much like a laugh. Wasn't at her though. And it wasn't because I thought it was funny. Even though I knew it was coming, there was a shock, and it was at them, for being busted, not at her for learning the truth.

Maybe I'm being charitable, but eeaush, I've laughed at moments like that. It's like you don't know how to react and laughter comes easiest

Yes, this. You see a world of hurt and a world of pain and it's very much an "ohhhhh, fuck" moment, but the contrast between the two portrayed emotions is so great that there's not much room to do anything else.

Do you think Twist was a predator? And do you think having gay kids automatically confers credibility?

I haven't seen the movie. I'm friendly with the Shalits -- he doesn't have a problem with gay people.

I'm friendly with the Shalits.

Then citing your knowledge of Gene carries more weight than any assumption that having gay children automatically confers you with sense or sensitivity, doesn't it?

edited to match edit:

he doesn't have a problem with gay people.

I'd be curious to know why he read the movie so weirdly.

ita, this isn't debate team and I didn't necessarily want to get into a name droppy this is my friend thing.

Eh, its his opinon. He's reviewed movies for forty years, some of them are going to be weird.

At least from me, "I know Gene and he's not homophobic" would have generated less debate from me. How the hell can you argue with that?

Done deal.

What I meant was "Then citing your knowledge of Gene carries more weight than any assumption that having gay children automatically confers you with sense or sensitivity, doesn't it?" was sorta... pedantic? bossy? something a debate coach would say? whatever.

I'd rather say the likely googlelable "his kid is gay" than give a personal anecdote, so I tried to avoid it.

I don't care about coaching anyone to argue better, Trudy. That would be weird. I am probably over-invested in finding out why people present the information they do. Because it tells me more about the topic at hand, and that is, after all, what's at hand.

I was trying to work out why his kid being gay was relevant. I still have no idea if it was, but if this isn't something you want to discuss, no matter.