Tommy being written out of the film

[epicfan84]

There might have been a topic on this already, but I was wondering what the infected thought about it. The film was obviously very well done, but would it have been better if Tommy was in it?

I'm wondering if Tommy wasn't written in because if he was, some of the more gruesome scenes in the book would have had to been included.

[Marok]

I'm wondering if Tommy wasn't written in because if he was, some of the more gruesome scenes in the book would have had to been included.

Perhaps this was a reason.
They've already left out quite a lot from the book and with all the secondary characters and side stories there could've easily been two films. If Tommy's character was to be included, his appearance would have either been shallow and irrelevant or more screen time had to be dedicated to him, dealing with his background and development. Other parts of the film would have to be shortened or the overall length extended to properly cover Tommy.

It might have also been a stylistic decision to leave him out. In the film, more so than in the book, Oskar is isolated from the world around him, either rejected or simply ignored by it. Tommy is one of the few people who treat him fair, certainly not a close friend, but Oskar is not all the same to him either. His absence might convey Oskar's situation better and underlines what draws him to Eli on yet another layer. It's just a detail, but it's the details that make the difference.

[intrige]

And bedies, his storyline conclouded with fighting zombie-Håkan in the basement. A zombie vampire pedophile TA chose to leave out. It would not make any sense to introduce Tommy and not finish his storyline.

[Jameron]

It might have also been a stylistic decision to leave him out. In the film, more so than in the book, Oskar is isolated from the world around him, either rejected or simply ignored by it. Tommy is one of the few people who treat him fair, certainly not a close friend, but Oskar is not all the same to him either. His absence might convey Oskar's situation better and underlines what draws him to Eli on yet another layer. It's just a detail, but it's the details that make the difference.

I agree with this. I have always thought Tommy's absence further isolates Oskar in the film, and that even if there had been more time available to Tomas he would have still left Tommy out.

.

[epicfan84]

Yeah I thought that could be the case as well. His sub plot with his parents and possible step father might also detract from the meaning of the film that non-infected might find it confusing.

[intrige]

Yeah I thought that could be the case as well. His sub plot with his parents and possible step father might also detract from the meaning of the film that non-infected might find it confusing.

I don't think it would be very confusing for a first time viewer to understand Tommy's subplot. it would just be pintless, and I get the feeling a first time viewer would like to see more of Oskar and Eli rather than Tommy getting high in the basement, arguing with his mother and stealing his sep dad's trophy. The center of the story, even in the book, is after all their lovestory.

[a_contemplative_life]

Tommy would've been worth it just to see Lina in an oversized yellow polka dot dress .

[epicfan84]

Tommy would've been worth it just to see Lina in an oversized yellow polka dot dress .

I always wondered what kind of dress it was because the book says that Hakan tore "an arm" of the dress.... Aren't they supposed to be sleeveless?

[metoo]

I always wondered what kind of dress it was because the book says that Hakan tore "an arm" of the dress.... Aren't they supposed to be sleeveless?

Perhaps that was Håkan's opinion, too?

[epicfan84]

I always wondered what kind of dress it was because the book says that Hakan tore "an arm" of the dress.... Aren't they supposed to be sleeveless?

Perhaps that was Håkan's opinion, too?

hehehe I see what you did there