I think that the reason why Neil grabbed Todd’s poetry book and ran across the room with it in the no scene is because he felt like he was a little flustered and he felt that he was being too flirty and the conversation was getting a little too intimate, and so he impulsively took his book to be funny and almost undo the tension in the room on a whim
I will never get over the fact that instead of the OG screenplay's version of Neil being overly sour when he and Todd were alone and Todd being overly self-pitying, that (romantically or platonically), the movie version didn't make them project their worst traits onto the other as much.
(btw I never read the book sorry)
The "No <3" scene's main argument could've easily went on about Neil getting pissed at Todd for telling him to ask his father, that he wasn't just letting him be. The IMPORTANT moment, was right after seeing Todd afraid of Neil, the latter had that LOOK of REGRET.
OG script (no mention of Neil's regret/expression)
Todd and Neil basically ignore each other and Neil's protectiveness of Todd at the end is minimized :(
Movie Version
Properly displaying their current character flaws:
Neil: Hidden/Obvious resentment towards his father affecting his mood
Todd: Todd's reluctance to speak out more (esp after being shut down)
Fear, anxiety, shame
Regret, shame, frustration
This version of Neil knows he sounded like his father, he knows what he said was something damaging to Todd's motivations, he knows he doesn't wanna be like his father.
This version of Neil has empathy, which is why during the flying desk set, RSL and Ethan made a better effort to write a new Friend-bonding moment to bond over their shared parental neglect; rather than the OG 5.98 line
OG Script: Todd being self-pitying, Neil not comforting him properly.
Movie: Neil actively shows his character and tries to cheer up Todd <3
Neil actually understands Todd's plight, and rather than brushing off Todd's experiences, he decides to provide Todd with the paternal friendship he wished he got in his moments of doubt.
That's why before I even shipped these two, my natural instinct WAS to think they were best friends. Platonic soulmates that needed each other to validate their doubts, albeit Neil was the one who acted upon it first.
That's why it hurt more that Neil took his own life, because you literally see way more progress and hope for Neil's character compared to the OG script's heavily complacent or resentful Neil Perry.
Maybe, in Tom Schulman's mind, the OG Neil was always planning to end things this way, but for the movie version of Neil Perry that Peter Weir and RSL made had more to lose, more pain, was more lost and trapped because even after finding something that visually makes him happy, it was taken away from him.
[Side Tangent]
In my own way, it was harder to also accept that THIS version of Neil would want to take his own life because you'd think with a better perspective in life, with a greater friendship he could have with Todd in the future, that he would opt not to end things this way... but that's the point :( You can never tell who's really in pain, people may appear cheerful and happy on the outside, but depression is the same pain for all those affected by it.
[Tangent over]
The importance, again, of the Neil and Todd of the movie? They were far better friends/partners in the movie because they were actively improving each other. Neil and Todd, platonic or romantic, needed to have met each other. They deserve each other. To either lift up, improve, find someone else to understand and worry about than themselves. To have a friend you really needed.
Bonus:
The Dock Practice Scene didn't have "God I love this" "What, me?" lines lmao Ethan and RSL just shoved that in there to be fruity /j /lh
See? Don't ever say all we do in this fandom is mindless shipping, I think about this movie constantly <3 The themes are *chef's kiss*
In case you wanted another reason on why Neil is sub-textually gay, in the scene after the play when mr perry argues with Neil and Neil says “I’ve got to tell you what I feel” and mr perry says “is it more of this acting business?” and Neil is defeated and says “nothing”, it’s painfully obvious that mr perry has a suspicion that Neil is gay because he says that line “is it more of this acting business?” that insinuates this with the use of the word “it”. He has an inkling of what “it” is and Neil feels intimidated and exposed because of that, he knows that there’s more to what he’s feeling than just acting, he knows what “it” is and he can’t tell anyone. He knows he can’t answer mr perry’s question because it’s just too hard to get the words out and he knows it will make everything even worse in the already brutal situation he’s facing.
I know how he feels in terms of feeling something and only saying the more “acceptable” side of the story and keeping the less “acceptable” side of the story hidden and wanting to take it to the grave because it’s so stressful to face. Acting is everything to him. Acting and Todd and Keating awakened so many things in his mind and he knew what he wanted to live for.
Ok I just rewatched dps and I NEED to yap (a review basically)
Neil was in love with Todd there’s no way around it and he realised that when Todd did the poem in front of the class, and I also do not buy the idea that it was only acting that drove him to suicide, it just doesn’t add up and it falls flat. I can feel his emotions I can see it in his eyes during those arguments about the play with mr perry there’s was more to it!!!! he knew that there was just this one other thing about himself that he couldn’t let anyone in on.
He had so much love and passion for the world around him, for Todd, for acting, for Charlie, for Mr Keating, for poetry, all these things were taken away from him. On that night in his small world there was no way out other than death. And who knows he may have also been thinking that the more and longer he lives his homosexuality may be found out by Mr Perry and that would be his final straw. There was sooo much he was scared of risking he couldn’t go on.
In another lifetime he had another chance but horrifically not in this life.
And about my theories and beliefs on what happened to Todd post canon
I believe Todd stayed close with Charlie because they were closest to Neil and they bonded over that, I think in the early days of Neil’s passing they wrote letters to each other. We also know from Gale Hansen that Charlie became involved in the hippie scene/civil rights/lgbt rights etc which obviously includes poetry so I believe him and Todd were pretty close at this time in the mid late 60s and 70s and so on.
Todd SO found happiness and love and beauty in his life moving forward, those months with Neil in Welton changed his life forever and it made him realise so much about himself. I think that he definitely published poetry books and maybe even a memoir? I also do believe he was in love with Neil but only realised years later while reflecting on his life.
I also headcanon that Todd stayed in contact as much as he was able to with Mr Keating. And it’s also canon that Todd became an English teacher because of the sequel that never happened because of the unavailability of other actors so there’s that.
Todd had so much passion and energy inside of him and Neil helped him with that, and after his death he committed to being passionate about life and poetry, never forgetting the light in his life that was the Dead Poets Society and Neil. Because of the deleted scene that was meant to be intercut with Neil’s suicide where Todd recites his poem he was writing the entire film, we know that he was forever inspired and had confidence inside of him and Todd Anderson is a blessing to this world. Never Forget.
Neil is also a blessing to this earth and only in another life would he have had his name in lights performing in plays till his hearts content, basking in love and PASSION and the arts, rebelling and doing everything Mr Perry wouldn’t want him to do.
And now onto the beloved Charlie FUCKING DALTON because I can’t not talk about this man forgive me
He’s so more complex than just the funny guy and he lives for his friends, he’s so incredibly loyal and loving even though it’s hard for him to show the full range of his emotions, only when Neil died he felt like he could actually cry and be vulnerable
This book exerpt is also important to his character and I wish it was in the film because it shows that underneath his flamboyant funny persona he felt empty. He didn’t know who he really was, what he wanted out of life. Always searching for adrenaline and excitement by taking risks, but outside of his friends, where was the real passion? What did his heart belong to? what was his thing? It seemed like everyone else had a thing that they loved and had true passion for but who was the real Charlie Dalton?
I believe Charlie found himself more in the late 60s as he found freedom and love in the counter culture of the time, getting involved in left wing political movements, connecting with Todd in ways he couldn’t as more emotionally closed off teenagers. They shared their grief together in the end and found happiness in so many places. Supporting Todd at his live poetry events with the other remaining poets aswell.
Also in the scene right after Charlie is punished because of the phone call from god prank, and he stumbles out of Nolan’s office in indescribable pain still trying to play it cool
What I’m trying to get at here is when Neil talks to him in the doorway of Charlie’s dorm. Charlie is facing away and he doesn’t want to be seen crying. He forces a smile and says “Damn it Neil, the name’s Nuwanda.” and this line is quoted in a funny way a lot but if we pick it apart, it shows that he tries to make light of almost every situation. He struggles to face the pain, for other people to see him in distress and he still has to make a joke.
Going back into this film I was nervous that I would get almost sick of the film because of watching it so many times but the opposite has happened. It’s sadder every time and I have so much love in my heart for these three characters and I know Todd and Charlie find joy after this traumatic event. Neil gave himself eternal sleep and peace away from this sick, dark and conservative world who don’t want to see people like him thrive. And I’m not religious but I know he was looking down on Todd and was so happy for him and all he’s accomplished.
I’m gonna end this by saying Todd Anderson is autistic
Headcanon that Todd never got married in his adult life post Neil's death. It was too hard for him to commit himself to a woman he would never love as deeply in as many ways as he loved Neil. Neil was his soulmate in life and death. Sure he may have dated but I don't believe he ever married. There was love, flings, but real love was always gonna be with Neil.
Not a single soul could replace his soulmate, his person, the love of his love, his best friend, Neil Perry.
I can't romantically ship a ship with no basis in canon, like knarlie, chrisginny, chameron etc it just doesn't feel right I need to have a reason to defend them and ship them. I don't really get shipping if there's no romance between the characters, chameron kind of feels like a crack ship to me
I hate book knox and movie knox the same way and I feel like his whole character arc is based on the fact he loves chris and it gets annoying, and he's disgusting to her anyway
cameron deserves a redemption arc not knox
the book is worth it
tom schullman and peter weir were gross for putting in the scene where keating shows the students nude pictures in class while they're doing a test (it's a deleted scene which is in the book and they also filmed it but it never even made it onto youtube)
the film should have been three hours instead of two (I will make a post about this one in a little bit)
if it wasn't for dead poets in nyc and gale hansen's twitter then this fandom would struggle to be active and together
I think in 2025 we are gonna see bobby and the rest of the cast or atleast some of the other cast reunite (I don't know how, it would probably be a picture on one of their instagram accounts or a zoom call that gets onto youtube)
the cast and crew made anderperry as canon as you can make it without a kissing or confession scene. In the way that one would not at all be surprised if in the middle of the film there was a kissing scene, because their whole friendship reads like a friends to lovers kind of thing and you can't tell me that if neil didn't die they wouldn't have started dating
I fuck with slow burn anderperry fics and I hate it when they kiss too soon because it's just unrealistic
I don't like it when a dps fic is too historically inaccurate, for example making it out like everyone is super accepting and not bigoted, because when I am reading a dps fic I am in 1959 and I don't want to feel like I'm in 2025
charlie is not the funny one he is highly complex and I love him
