(A collection of random reflections on details and such.)
Tony was a rock star before he became Iron Man. But at the beginning of the first movie, he chooses to hit the casino instead of showing up to his own award ceremony -- because he's bored. The kind of attention he gets pre-transformation holds no genuine appeal.
On the other hand, post-transformation, he starts enjoying his fame for real (at least until he gets hit with the enormity of what he's taken on).
That's telling. Being adored for doing some good? Way more fun for Tony.
Also, how many times does Tony actually smile with his whole face? The instances I can think of can be counted on one hand, and most of them are triggered by discoveries in his workshop. I'm half tempted to declare Tony/Gadgets my one true pairing.
Of course, Tony is also Pepper's devoted puppy. "It's always you." "You complete me." (Okay, that was in a deleted scene, but it's canon as far as I'm concerned.) "She was always perfect." "I don't deserve her." He often struggles to navigate their intimate relationship, but there's no question Tony thinks Pepper hung the moon -- and he constantly berates himself for sucking in comparison.
The above, by the way, illustrates the fascinating contradiction that defines this character as a whole. Because yes: Tony does have a high opinion of his own acumen -- as an engineer. And yes: Tony does an excellent job of projecting an overall confidence and roguish insouciance -- in public. And yet -- he also hates himself. Before Gulmira, when he catches his reflection in a window -- crash. That wordless moment says it all.
The outward face: a smooth operator who learned the fine art of public relations in nursery school. The inward face: a guilt-ridden, self-loathing, mentally ill walking definition of fear incarnate.
Also: Bruh. Tony teases his bots like they're human beings. He still hangs up a Christmas stocking for Jarvis even though all that's left of the man is a practically sentient AI who gives him shade. He insists - with his voice breaking all the while - that the nurse leave Downton Abbey on for a comatose Happy because "he thinks it's elegant". He gets pissed when one of Killian's henchmen crushes Harley's sister's Dora watch. (Can you tell I watched Iron Man 3 again the other day?) So yeah: Tony is secretly a sentimental squish. #SoSoft
And lastly (for today), I keep circling back to Tony's feelings regarding Steve because they are so intriguingly complicated. At base, though, I think Tony has trouble accepting Steve as Steve, the man. What Tony knows - what he's been brought up to believe in - is Captain America, the living legend. So when Steve tells Tony that they will be together when the great evil finally comes, Tony takes that as an unbreakable promise because legend. And when Steve argues with Tony, Tony immediately feels judged and prickly regardless of Steve's intentions because legend.
And when the legend fails to pan out? That's what really makes Tony crack at the end of Civil War. When Tony first lunges at Bucky, Steve is able to restrain him. That's crucial to note. But as soon as it comes out that Steve has lied to Tony by omission, absolutely all bets are off. Captain America cannot be fallible. He just can't. Not in Tony's mentalscape.
No comments:
Post a Comment