i can never decide if i should read first and then watch or watch and then read. reading it first here and then watching made sense, though. it seems the extra threats were necessary additions to get the point across and relay the level of threat to Wilson and the audience, as well as to play up his audacity to walk back in and F their world up... he means business. save for the occasional ad libbing or subtle dialogue tweaking, are screenwriters generally pleased with how their efforts translate onto the big screen? just curious. my understanding is once a script is sold and headed to production, it's out of your control unless they want a rewrite or something. these exercises are VERY helpful! thanks :)

I think there is that, but also that they are inviting him in (vampire-like invitation?), they are taunting him and daring him to come back, justifying the return a bit more than perhaps the script does, getting us on side with him, getting the audience to desire his return. We probably want him to go in anyway after the beating, but I think the goons extra dialogue just helps us justify the bad thing that then happens...empathy and all that. And we enjoy seeing him in action....or at least see the muzzle flashes and hear the panic. I remember the first time I saw the film, I felt the last "tell him I'm fucking cominnnnnggg" was almost comical. But watching it a second and third time, you see how the addition of the profanity clarifies the anger and intent of this guy....they killed his daughter and he is going to make them pay...make them fucking pay. Fantastic film and Stamp is the daddy!

"...are screenwriters generally pleased with how their efforts translate onto the big screen?" It's worth checking out the DVD commentary for this film where screenwriter Lem Dobbs and director Steven Soderbergh go at it. Dobbs was unhappy with many of Soderbergh's choices and lets him (and everyone else) know how he feels. As we know from this excellent interview Lem Dobbs isn't afraid of voicing his opinion.

oh wow. thanks. just reading the commentary with Dobbs and Soderbergh... interesting.