Chen's earmuffs

[josh]

Does Chen wear earmuffs to keep from hearing the insults and mean comments made towards her? That would make sense but isn't consistent. The first scene of her at the bus stop, obviously a location where she expects insults, she isn't wearing them. They only appear later in the film, expecially when she overhears the conversation between Donnie and Monitoff. Then she drops them and Donnie picks them up and wears them himself?

[Twitchmonkey]

I think you hit the bullseye about why she wears them and I assume the bus stop scene was probably just an oversight

[josh]

It makes sense why she wears them, but why does Donnie choose to wear them? Perhaps in response to his conversation with her that "everything's going to be better for you." Now he has two non-related people depending on him.#nosmileys

[Twitchmonkey]

I think the Donnie wearing the earmuffs scene is just meant to be funny

[josh]

It does look funny and adds to the general perception that he is "off" when he is actually more in tune with what's possible than everyone else who is subconscious.

[ProvidencePortal]

I think an important component of Donnie's character is his empathy -- his supreme compassion, his ability to see the value in humanity. In my opinion, that part of him is foundational for supporting his participation in the LR cycle ... and may even play a role in his death.

So, his ability to empathize with Cherita, which I think culminates in him physically assuming her most embarassing trait by wearing the earmuffs, demonstrates his larger compassion and goes a long way to us feeling invested in him throughout the movie.

[innerblackhole]

ProvidencePortal said:

I think an important component of Donnie's character is his empathy -- his supreme compassion, his ability to see the value in humanity. In my opinion, that part of him is foundational for supporting his participation in the LR cycle ... and may even play a role in his death.

So, his ability to empathize with Cherita, which I think culminates in him physically assuming her most embarassing trait by wearing the earmuffs, demonstrates his larger compassion and goes a long way to us feeling invested in him throughout the movie.

That's just what I was going to say. I don't believe he wore the ear muffs to be amusing. It's because all along he's felt bad for Cherita and can relate to her. Then after seeing his name on her book he takes and wears the ear muffs to show he does care about Cherita rather than just tossing them, and her feelings, aside.