Topic: Question about "The Road" -- SPOILERS

[Jeff]

OK, I broke down and watched the movie.  I don't like Cormac McCarthy's stuff and this was no different.  But what in the hell was up with the messed up thumbs on the black guy that stole the cart and the man that took in the kid?

[NGO]

never noticed that.

I saw the movie read the book.

Once for each was enough.

[Jeff]

There's no way that two characters would be missing thumbs and that not mean something. 

I figured that he would (might) have mentioned something in the book.  I won't read the book as I don't like McCarthy's style at all.

[NGO]

don't remember anything being mentioned in the book.

yeah I didn't care for the writting style...like he was trying too hard to be different.

[RGinIdaho]

I didn't read the book. From what I have been told by some that have; the missing digits were from people that had been expelled from a commune.

What I personally perceived; the two characters that were missing digits were not cannibals, thieves or threats and were more or less "good guys." Might tie in to not fitting in with the cannibalistic communes. Escapees from the commune?

I did like the movie. It didn't follow the typical survivalist fantasy that most of hollywood productions seem to embrace. Very somber. It was a thought provoking piece that ran counter to the typical positive fantasy that exists in the minds of many.

I did one thing odd/Hollywoodish. Acquiring the stapler by chance at the right time. Give me a break.

One thing that stuck in my mind was a simple error probably based on the main character's lack of backcountry experience. When he found the survivalist's cache, a more woods savy individual might have mimicked a survival strategy from nature's largest predators and lived for some time utilizing the stash until it was depleted as opposed to being driven off as he was.

[JollyRoger]

Expelled from a cannibal commune....that would make sense.  It was kinda irritating that it didnt explain any of that though in the movie.  If it was important enough to leave only these two dudes without thumbs it should have been important enough to let the viewers know WHY!

RG - That was my reaction as well...they struck a gold mine, might have been wise to stay there and 'fatten up' a bit before heading out again.  Also, it seemed that they ran across other people often enough to warrant NOT just meandering down the road like they owned the place.  They never knew where and when bad guys would be, yet the just kept trucking down the middle of the road.

I really liked the fact that it wasnt a super positive, good guys always win type movie.  I also thought it was interesting that there was so much mass/family suicide going on...something I hadnt really thought of before.

[RGinIdaho]

If you have ever been in on a bear kill you should have learned how to protect that cache!!! Lay off a distance and watch it while you rest. Move in and feed when all is clear, cover up, back out and repeat. Having two members in your party, you could add to that a prey/herd type tactic. IE: One eats while the other watches.

[fj40mojo]

Expelled from a cannibal commune....that would make sense. 

Ummm, not to point out the obvious, but wouldn't the cannibals eat yer ass rather than kick you out. After all, every member would be a potential food source...no? Here's the scenario as I imagine it.

Mom: "Eat yer uncle"

Kid: "But I'm a vegan!"

Mom: "You clean that uncle off yer plate or I'll cut yer thumbs off myself!"

Nope....doesn't make sense.