Am I the only one who thinks Joaquin Phoenix's character in "Signs" is a closeted/repressed homo?

I’ve honestly never given it much thought.

As a transracial transgender lesbian I really related to his character in the movie. It wasn’t until I transitioned and dropped the “Cauc” and embraced the Asian that life started to change for the better.

The character was supposed to be played by Mark Ruffalo but he had to have a brain tumor operated on(!).

I could see Mark playing it as gay-coded (successfully) and perhaps M. Night tried to give that note to Joaquin as well.

I thought he was brain damaged, OP. *shrug*

oh...from a baseball hitting him or something? That sounds vaguely familiar.

I don't think there's anything really wrong with Merrill (the character) except his minor league career didn't work out, not sure I remember why, or if they say in the film. The line "Swing away, Merrill" is fantastic. This is one of M. Night's better films.

Signs is the only one I liked besides Sixth Sense.

[quote]The character was supposed to be played by Mark Ruffalo but he had to have a brain tumor operated on(!).

Really?

I thought Mel and Joaquin were perfectly cast. They did look related.

R7 my M Night favorites:

Sixth Sense

Unbreakable (and its sequels, Glass and Split)

Signs

Old

Trap

They lived in rural America in the movie. I suspect there are very similar living arrangements out in the country. Plus, Mel's character's wife was killed in an accident so his brother was simply helping him out.

I loved Signs. It scared the crap out of me in the theater.

R8 - I agree. I think Ruffalo would've looked out of place.

It was a good film. Loved the score and spooky atmosphere. The sound effects when the aliens were on the roof and porch were horrifying. I bet that was awesome in the theater.

I will never forget the "random footage" they show on the news in that movie (from the kid's birthday party in Mexico).

The way that was shot was so fucking CHILLING (at the time). I could totally envision that that's how the awareness of the invasion might begin, etc. He did a great job of making it seem real and building the fear/hysteria.

Ruffalo and Gibson are polar opposites. That set would have been interesting.

I'd add "Devil" to that list. "Signs" is my favorite though.

(And no I don't get a gay vibe. Plus remember his story about kissing the girl who threw up just as he was taking his gum out).

Never thought of Merrill as gay??? But yes the children’s birthday party in Mexico/Brazil? still scares me ‘’let’s go children let’s go!