Anyone else find Travis unnecessary
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Hope Floats
dazlemesensless — 20 years ago(December 12, 2005 10:46 AM)
The little boy seemed completely unnecessary to the whole movie. Aside from being a comic relief when there's tension at the dinner table, his sad little tale distracts from the main story. Yes, if there had been more character developement, it might have been better, but then he'd probably distract even more. I think the only reason he's in this movie is so Justin can have someone to talk to when Birdee is off doing her own thing like at the funeral, when she's talking to Bill, or at the end, when she is talking to Bernice
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saz_has_landed — 20 years ago(December 28, 2005 08:53 AM)
i do agree with you there, there doesnt seem to be much of a point to him being in the film. He is cute and all that but, like you said, his story seems to distract what is going on and doesnt have a big effect on the actual film.
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Angel_gal — 20 years ago(December 29, 2005 08:03 PM)
Anyone I know who watched the movie, got the same impression that I did - that Travis was Justin (aka Harry Connick Jr's) son. Which is why he moved back to town instead of following his career. So I think that was the point of him being there.
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nisa45 — 20 years ago(January 10, 2006 11:59 AM)
I agree with the impression of Travis being Justin's son. Although I don't think it's completely true, you get that feeling in their conversation on the porch after the funeral. I don't remember the exact words, but rewatch it and you'll see what I mean.
P.S. he kinda did distract from the whole meaning of the movie. It was also nice to see his scenes. He provided some comedy in Bernice & Birdee's tragedy.
Ow! it burns, Grandma!
That's because you're wicked!- John Leguizamo's
Freak
- John Leguizamo's
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Krystal_Ryder — 18 years ago(August 31, 2007 10:52 AM)
If Travis WAS Justin's, which I don't think at allThat would totally throw a monkey wrench into the whole plot of the movieIt would change everything..I think that Justin was just being a gentlmen and paying attention to Travis at the funeral because Bernice and Birdie were busyThere is no other inclination that they are related throughout the movieEesh, conspiracy theory negation is tiring
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krazyj2472002 — 18 years ago(September 07, 2007 10:49 AM)
Travis Justin's son?! Get out of here. No way. That being said, I loved his character. And as so many other posters have noted, the porch scene after the funeral is so touching. When he says "My grandma's dead" it breaks my heart. Everytime. This little boy wondering what's to become of him. And Justin telling him he came there to see him. Wonderful scene.
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thomas-tammy — 20 years ago(February 24, 2006 01:16 PM)
I don't think Travis was unnecessaryHe was a contrast to Bernice's relationship with Birdie. No matter how ugly divorce can get or whatever trials life might bring Birdie and Bernice would remain a team Travis' mom ran off and left him behind. I loved the scene when Justin sat on the porch with Travis and said "Didn't you know? I came to see you." No one seemed to remember that Travis had not only lost his grandma too but possibly his home as well.
But hey, that's just my opinion. -
albondiga1967 — 19 years ago(May 10, 2006 04:13 PM)
In case anyone wasn't paying attention, Travis is Bernice's cousin. Birdee's sister's son.
Justin said something about Travis being stuck with them, meaning that Travis' mother obviously was going to stay with Birdee and Bernice, since Travis' mother is an actress or something in LA. Justin is planning on sticking around for Birdee.
El Paso, Texasever heard of it? -
mathmaniac — 18 years ago(October 21, 2007 12:09 PM)
Travis played an important part in this movie - for anyone who forgets one of the main themes: the importance of family. This theme was expressed beautifully in Gena Rowland's speech to Bernice at bedtime when Rowlands tells the story of the ants and how important family is, and how strong.
Without Travis, when Rowlands' character died, the characters in this drama would have just gone back to their old lives or some version of it.
Birdie lost her husband and then her mother but she was a responsible adult. She was always there for her daughter Bernice. But Travis had absolutely no one after his grandmother died. Amazingly, the attention was not focused on him immediately after her death. He had no place to go. It made it all the more poignant when Harry Connick Jr. DOES focus his attention on Travis in an un-creepy way. A child with no one to care for him is incredibly vulnerable. -
bgtymr — 19 years ago(May 29, 2006 10:58 AM)
Travis was necessary for that scene on the porch after the funeral.
The conversation between him and Justin was to show what a good man Justin was. Justin was so sweet to take the time out to understand and speak to this sad little boy.
Travis also may have been used to show how quickly life can change. In a short time, Birdee was raising a daughter, a nephew, living in a different town, and grieving her mother. This, all after living the highlife in Chicago in a nuclear family. -
librarychick77 — 18 years ago(July 23, 2007 01:26 PM)
I agree with you that Travis helpwsto show what a good man Justin is. I think the conversation between Justin and Travis out on the porch shows that Justin will be a suitable father figure for both Travis and Bernice. Even if Birdie chooses not to marry him, the ending of the movie leaves us with the impression that he will be an influence in their lives, and most probably a good one.
