Page 67 - Middle Georgia State University - Knighted 2019

walking Verdell, Udall notices that the pup is stepping over the cracks in the sidewalk, comically
mimicking him. Moved, Udall picks up Verdell and says to him, “Don’t you be like me. You
stay just the way you are because you are a perfect man” (35:57). Perhaps this is how Udall
envisions people talking to him, telling him that he is a perfect man, or perhaps he is really
speaking to himself and finally accepting himself as perfect, as he accepts the dog as perfect.

When Simon recovers enough for Verdell to come home, Udall is visibly distraught and
begins to cry, as maybe for the first time in his life he has felt accepted and loved and has
developed a mutually desirable relationship. At one point during the film, Udall bursts into his
therapist’s office, indicating to the audience that he does in fact desire change, betterment, and
acceptance. Unfortunately for Udall, his desire for help is hindered by his impulsive actions
and results in his therapist chiding him for his inability to be accountable. As Udall leaves the
office, he pauses in the waiting room and says to the other patients, “What if this is as good as it
gets?” (42:38). Clearly, this is an indication that Udall desires a better life but feels hopeless
about his current situation.

Further exemplifying his shift, Udall has arranged for a doctor to make private house-
call visits for Connelly’s son. While this gesture is still indicative of Udall’s self-serving nature,
it is nonetheless one of immense magnitude for wanting some eggs served to him. As Connelly
questions Udall’s motive, she tells him that she will never sleep with him. It is later revealed that
upon being told this, Udall begins to take medication to help with his condition. As he begins to
develop relationships with the other characters, the medication seems to help him cope with his
compulsions and aids him in becoming more aware of himself in relation to others. Udall reveals
this change to Carol over dinner when he tells her, “You make me want to be a better man”
(1:41:18). While there will be a long road to change ahead, Udall’s efforts are commendable. In

66