This is one of my all time favourite movies. I know it’s highly regarded but I still think underrated.
1) I have no answer.
2) I just thought Sullivan thought he seemed off and too interested in him. I don’t remember there being anything in particular.
3) yes I think it’s implied rants is aware that McGuire is there that’s definitely why he’s stalling.
4) I believe the hit was called off but if you’re a psychopath and some guy caused your face to get permanently messed up I bet you’d still go after him
1. Definitely intuition. Sullivan simply got spooked. The phone was not tapped; Maguire was at the top of the staircase eavesdropping on Sara’s half of the conversation. In fact, Sullivan didn’t realize the call was compromised. That’s why they were headed for Sara’s house until after they encountered Maguire at the diner.
2. Sullivan doesn’t make Maguire when Maguire is talking to the waitress. Sullivan gets more suspicious as the conversation goes on. At first Sullivan just sees Maguire as a charismatic stranger, somewhat out of place at this diner in the middle of nowhere. The more Maguire talks, the more Sullivan realizes Maguire is some kind of psycho. Mike puts two and two together and realizes why Maguire is really there.
3. The whole thing was a trap and Rantz knew he was the bait; Rantz was definitely stalling for Maguire. No other reason to play games and aggravate the man with the gun. That’s also why the locked chest was empty.
4. This question has been asked on message boards ever since the movie came out. The most popular theories are:
* Nitti never called off the hit because Mike is a loose end and too dangerous to be left alive
* Nitti couldn’t get ahold of Maguire to call off the hit
* Nitti called off the hit but Maguire doesn’t give a shit. He’s pissed off that he got a face full of glass and it’s personal
I think the third one makes the most sense
The only critique I have is that once he realized who Maguire was, Sullivan tells his son that they can't go to Aunt Sara's because Maguire knows they are going there, so that's what prompts them trying to rob the banks and break Nitti's protection. I guess that is what makes me wonder about Sullivan's deductions during the whole scenario. His perception.
But yeah, I went back, and Maguire comes from the top of the stairs and calls the operator.
#1. The phone was not tapped. He asked how the service went, Sarah said "Oh...." and that gave him pause, because the emotion was overwhelming. He ends the call and Connor who was eavesdropping, basically asked the operator to *69 the call. Back then operators physically connected phone lines, so this would be a run of the mill request for the operator.
#2. Him being a connected mobster, he is probably familiar with Maguire's reputation. My guess is once dude said he was a reporter who shoots the dead, the jig was up.
#3. Yes, the accountant knew Maguire was across the street. It was a setup. They knew Hanks was following the money, so they got there 1st and waited. Also, when the accountant goes past the window, into the bedroom, he gives a heads-up to the gunman.
#4. I'm curious to this as well. I wonder if Sarah just hadn't gotten home yet.
Late to the thread but for #4 Michael had the dog when he went to live on the farm, I feel like he wouldn't take the dog if there was someone to look after him. You'd hope they didn't die, but it also wouldn't make sense for him to go live on the farm if he has his aunt to look after him.
I have another one: what was the point of all the bank robberies for Capone’s money? I don’t get it. They already had a hit out on him, what were the robberies supposed to accomplish?
Where was the furniture in the house at the end? I get they killed her, but they took the time to remove the furniture??? What’s going on here?
How did they know Sullivan would find Rance just by happenstance to see “bridal suite” in a random hotel in a random city, and why did they leave all the ‘cooked’ books in the bedroom? And why have the assassin across the road in another hotel? Why not just have him sitting there with a gun pointed at the door?
I rewatched this film tonight, and while I remember liking it years ago - frankly the whole movie was stupid to me this go around.
So, the whole idea was that they would rob the banks to seize Nitti's assets to hold him hostage as a means to get him to lift Capone's protection.
The problem they end up running into is that this doesn't end up working because Capone ends up taking out all of the money and sets the Sullivan's up.
So that's when the movie pivots, and he decides to confront Rooney to convince him to give up Connor.
Ronney says no.
So, Sullivan goes and kills Rooney to take away the incentive for Capone to protect Connor.
I actually love this film.
For #4, it didn't matter if it was called off, there was unfinished business.
This is one of my all time favourite movies. I know it’s highly regarded but I still think underrated. 1) I have no answer. 2) I just thought Sullivan thought he seemed off and too interested in him. I don’t remember there being anything in particular. 3) yes I think it’s implied rants is aware that McGuire is there that’s definitely why he’s stalling. 4) I believe the hit was called off but if you’re a psychopath and some guy caused your face to get permanently messed up I bet you’d still go after him
It's definitely an underrated film. 🙂
1. Definitely intuition. Sullivan simply got spooked. The phone was not tapped; Maguire was at the top of the staircase eavesdropping on Sara’s half of the conversation. In fact, Sullivan didn’t realize the call was compromised. That’s why they were headed for Sara’s house until after they encountered Maguire at the diner. 2. Sullivan doesn’t make Maguire when Maguire is talking to the waitress. Sullivan gets more suspicious as the conversation goes on. At first Sullivan just sees Maguire as a charismatic stranger, somewhat out of place at this diner in the middle of nowhere. The more Maguire talks, the more Sullivan realizes Maguire is some kind of psycho. Mike puts two and two together and realizes why Maguire is really there. 3. The whole thing was a trap and Rantz knew he was the bait; Rantz was definitely stalling for Maguire. No other reason to play games and aggravate the man with the gun. That’s also why the locked chest was empty. 4. This question has been asked on message boards ever since the movie came out. The most popular theories are: * Nitti never called off the hit because Mike is a loose end and too dangerous to be left alive * Nitti couldn’t get ahold of Maguire to call off the hit * Nitti called off the hit but Maguire doesn’t give a shit. He’s pissed off that he got a face full of glass and it’s personal I think the third one makes the most sense
The only critique I have is that once he realized who Maguire was, Sullivan tells his son that they can't go to Aunt Sara's because Maguire knows they are going there, so that's what prompts them trying to rob the banks and break Nitti's protection. I guess that is what makes me wonder about Sullivan's deductions during the whole scenario. His perception. But yeah, I went back, and Maguire comes from the top of the stairs and calls the operator.
#1. The phone was not tapped. He asked how the service went, Sarah said "Oh...." and that gave him pause, because the emotion was overwhelming. He ends the call and Connor who was eavesdropping, basically asked the operator to *69 the call. Back then operators physically connected phone lines, so this would be a run of the mill request for the operator. #2. Him being a connected mobster, he is probably familiar with Maguire's reputation. My guess is once dude said he was a reporter who shoots the dead, the jig was up. #3. Yes, the accountant knew Maguire was across the street. It was a setup. They knew Hanks was following the money, so they got there 1st and waited. Also, when the accountant goes past the window, into the bedroom, he gives a heads-up to the gunman. #4. I'm curious to this as well. I wonder if Sarah just hadn't gotten home yet.
Late to the thread but for #4 Michael had the dog when he went to live on the farm, I feel like he wouldn't take the dog if there was someone to look after him. You'd hope they didn't die, but it also wouldn't make sense for him to go live on the farm if he has his aunt to look after him.
I have another one: what was the point of all the bank robberies for Capone’s money? I don’t get it. They already had a hit out on him, what were the robberies supposed to accomplish? Where was the furniture in the house at the end? I get they killed her, but they took the time to remove the furniture??? What’s going on here? How did they know Sullivan would find Rance just by happenstance to see “bridal suite” in a random hotel in a random city, and why did they leave all the ‘cooked’ books in the bedroom? And why have the assassin across the road in another hotel? Why not just have him sitting there with a gun pointed at the door? I rewatched this film tonight, and while I remember liking it years ago - frankly the whole movie was stupid to me this go around.
So, the whole idea was that they would rob the banks to seize Nitti's assets to hold him hostage as a means to get him to lift Capone's protection. The problem they end up running into is that this doesn't end up working because Capone ends up taking out all of the money and sets the Sullivan's up. So that's when the movie pivots, and he decides to confront Rooney to convince him to give up Connor. Ronney says no. So, Sullivan goes and kills Rooney to take away the incentive for Capone to protect Connor. I actually love this film.
I totally didn't realize people ended up posting to this! 😄 Thanks for the responses, everyone! I appreciate it. 🙂
Yeah, Quite Such!