A lot of people think that Tom killed him because he was rejected and belittled after he confessed to Dickie, and I think there might be some such factor. But in my opinion, the description and romanticization of the so-called "upper society" and trust fund baby, etc., have been subtly revealing Tom's inner changes. At the beginning of the film, everything he did for the upper class was just to make a living. Even after a person was finished, it was still very natural to help people tidy up clothes and clean up garbage in the theater toilet, and there was no inferiority complex and resentment.
But since getting to know Dickie and Marge, the intimate life with them has made Tom more envious on the one hand, and on the other hand, the seeds of unease are taking root. Many people think that he is watching Dickie's life and behavior on purpose to imitate him, or because he has a same-sex love for him and can't help it. Instead, I think it was because after living with them, Tom felt that he could have such a life, and he started imitating and copying them involuntarily.
And when he confessed to Dickie on the boat, many people thought he was angry and angry. I don't think it was caused by the failure of the confession, but Dickie didn't take him seriously, gay or not. It shattered his dreams of a high life, and realizing that he was just a clown, no matter how accurate he was to imitate Dickie and others like him, still couldn't change his last name. This also echoes the conversation he had with Meredith when they first met - Meredith said that although they don't like to travel under their own last name, they still want to hang out with people who are like them.
In addition to the collision of different classes reflected in the descriptions and dialogues of the characters, the reality of the poor environment and the unreality of the upper class are also revealed everywhere in the scene. From dark basements, butcher shops, etc. to dizzying sunny sands and seas at first.
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