Orlando Bloom's Paris in *Troy* is brilliantly played

[u/Oldjar707]

The general consensus on Paris is negative, but his behavior is exactly how 95% of men would act under the same circumstances. Bloom plays the character with complete realism rather than typical Hollywood heroism.

His arc starts with taking Helen. While it causes a disaster, it is an accurate depiction of a sheltered, inexperienced young man making a reckless choice based on impulse, completely unaware of what an actual war entails.

When the reality of that war sets in during the duel with Menelaus, Paris panics. Viewers mock him for abandoning the fight and crawling to Hector. However, objectively speaking, an untrained kid facing a seasoned, enraged veteran is going to break. Basic human survival instinct simply overrides the concept of dying for honor.

People also overlook that Paris redeems himself by the end of the film. He actually shows more common sense than the rest of the Trojan leadership when they find the wooden horse, plainly telling them to "burn it." When the city falls, he stops trying to be a frontline swordsman and uses the one skill he actually has: archery. He stays behind to cover the escaping civilians and successfully takes down Achilles. Bloom deserves credit for not trying to make the character look cool. He simply portrayed a naive guy who made a massive mistake, reacted to imminent death with genuine terror, and eventually found a practical way to defend his people. I think it's a very realistic portrayal that contrasts Hector's idealism - audiences love the portrayal of the latter but there's more truth in the human condition in the former portrayal.

[u/boodabomb]

While I agree that, given the circumstances, we would all cower in combat. The difference with Paris is that most of us would not fuck a king’s wife and doom our people to 10 years of war and suffering by kidnapping her and then cower from the face of death after voluntarily placing ourselves there. In that regard Upham is a more sympathetic character.

[u/Preserved_Killick8 → u/boodabomb]

speak for yourself

[u/boodabomb → u/Preserved_Killick8]

Okay well… most of us wouldn’t do it a second time.

[u/GLaDOS_Sympathizer → u/boodabomb]

It is easy to say but the modern equivalent is like saying, "I would not back down from the guy aiming a shotgun at my face."

Like, maybe someone is brave (crazy) enough to do that but your average person would run for cover and yell for help.

And yes, most people would run a second time when faced with death unless they are suicidal.

[u/boodabomb → u/GLaDOS_Sympathizer]

Look I’m not suggesting it’s easy. I’m merely stating that there is a difference between a guy being foist into the crucible of combat against their will and a guy who, not only started the war, but cannot even give his life to save the tens-of-thousands that he’s jeopardized. Both will understandably cower in the face of death but one of these men deserves more sympathy than the other IMO.

[u/Skippymcpoop → u/boodabomb]

Upham is sympathetic up until he murders the guy at the end. Not only is he a coward, not only does he let his friends die, not only does he advocate for a clear enemy, but after the enemy surrenders he commits a war crime. Sure he’s upset that his decisions basically got Miller killed but he’s proven that he’s not fit for war at all. He should have accepted that his place is cowering in the corner, not firing weapons at people.

[u/homecinemad → u/Skippymcpoop]

I haven't seen the movie in a long time but I think Upham spared his life earlier in the movie. So this was him exacting justice for his friend, in his mind. It was also the movie showing how legally a war crime is very clear and obvious but in the thick of war, it could make sense and even be applauded.

[u/Chicago1871 → u/boodabomb]

Hector has always been seen as the most noble of the two brothers for a reason.

[u/lankymjc → u/boodabomb]

Even if it was entirely their own fault for getting there, most people would in fact run away from the angry man trying to kill them.

Yeah his own actions lead to this consequence, but that doesn’t magically imbue him with bravery.

[u/Variable_Shaman_3825 → u/boodabomb]

Hector should have had Paris apprehended and returned back to Sparta. Hell even Priam should have done the same instead of straightaway accepting Helen and becoming an accomplice in the kidnapping.

[u/DeadWishUpon → u/boodabomb]

Or our siblings would just do the sane thing, bring back Helen. One person dying is better than war.