The Author's Use Of Flashback In Chris Eyre

Throughout the film Chris Eyre uses flashbacks of Victor, Thomas, and Suzy to demonstrate their views on Arnold Joseph after he passed away. Victor, when Arnold had already passed, starts to recall memories of his time with Arnold. Victor remembers Arnold constantly drinking, hitting Victor, hitting his mother, and when left for Arizona. He only recalls these memories because from his mind his was a bad person and father. He is unable to find a way to forgive him or mourn him because all he did, according to Victor, was hurt him, drink heavily, and hurt his mom, making Arnold unforgivable. Thomas was not seen much around Arnold Joseph but he was always tells stories of how he was a great man. He mentions stories of how Thomas was waiting for a vision but after he waited Arnold took him to Denny’s, or how he was the perfect hippie for trying to make love not war.

Thomas tells these stories because in his eyes, and in others, he wants Arnold to seem as a great person, he wants to remember him for being good despite knowing all the bad things he did.

Suzy did not know Arnold for the longest time and did not know about the way he treated Victor, but she still decides to remember him by the time they spent together. She tells flashbacks of how Arnold attempted to give her a ride to work, spend time with her, and tell stories of how great Victor was at basketball. Arnold confessed to Suzy that he was responsible for the fire, that he got drunk and accidently started the fire, but he still saved Thomas and Victor from the fire. He regrets it everyday. Suzy knowing this still decided to tell Victor all the good he did because she wanted him to see the good side of Arnold and forgive him for what he

did.
Chris Eyre demonstrates how each of the characters are affected by time with the use of flashbacks and character development, they mature throughout the film to become to become more responsible and strengthen their relationship with each other. Victor when he changed from a child to a teenager did not change much at all, he still acted haughty around everyone, he caused trouble to his mom and bullied Thomas. After his trip to Phoenix when he returned home he changed, he cared about others when he saved the family he crashed against with his car, he was nicer to Thomas, and was able to forgive his father. Victor needed to change for others, he knew he was only causing pain to the people around him and hurting himself. Victor realized this when he accidently hit the car in the road and ran for help. Victor and Thomas’ relationship grew more and more with the time they spent together. Thomas was always bullying Thomas, whether he was hitting him or making fun, he didn’t like Thomas. Thomas on the other hand likes Victor but liked him out of pity. He feels sorry for Victor because his dad left him, because his dad died and feels compassionate to help him. Overtime they learned to enjoy each other's company and respect one another for who they are. Arnold was presented as bad character, not as the antagonist, more bad in his personality in general. He was demonstrated as someone who drinks heavily, abuses their family, and started the Fourth of July fire that almost killed Thomas’ and Victor’s family. But later on he is seen as generous, fun and Victor, as presented by Suzy. He was not a bad person, he drank heavily because the fire traumatized him he drank to get rid of the pain and only hit Victor because at himself and only wanted to feel loved by his son.