Maatix t1_j8qvx2w wrote on February 16, 2023 at 8:24 AM

Reply to comment by InterMando5555 in TIL the phrase “you can’t handle the truth” was created/ improvised by Jack Nicholson. The movie's original screenplay boasted the line "You already have the truth," which Nicholson trimmed to "You can't handle the truth." by SixedSigma

It both does and doesn't change the meaning. It literally changes the meaning, but in context it means the same thing.

"You already have the truth" and "You can't handle the truth", in this context, tell them they already know what the truth is - They just have never been willing to accept it to this point.

But truthfully, it is shorter, and it flows a lot better in the revised version. "You already have the truth" just sounds so robotic.

InterMando5555 t1_j8rbmgv wrote on February 16, 2023 at 11:57 AM

Disagree. You can't handle the truth more squarely puts the onus on them ignoring what's before their eyes. It's an accusation in itself. The context that comes loaded with that accusation is what gives the line its power.

davtruss t1_j8rhgiq wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:56 PM

This. You know the truth, but you can't handle it, because you've never been on that wall. I ordered that boy beat half to death with soap wrapped up in towels because his departure would be bad for morale.

WalkerBRiley t1_j8sirhr wrote on February 16, 2023 at 5:22 PM

I seem to recall the Legal Eagle review of this had the guest military lawyer, who had served at Gitmo I think, say that wall is probably one of the safest, and subsequently boring, places to be in the world and absolutely nothing ever happens there.

davtruss t1_j8sxcx3 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 6:54 PM

But not in the mind of the dude who ordered the Code Red. What he considers a philosophy others might consider a sickness or an obsession. It's that belief that none of us are safe without the mean bastards. Of course he got what was coming to him.

Traditional-Pair1946 t1_j8rpcr3 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 2:03 PM

It seems to me that for "You already have the truth" to be delivered effectively, it would need to given in a resigned manor. It doesn't fit the scene or the character.

Alexstarfire t1_j8shz21 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 5:17 PM

Interesting. I always took "You can't handle the truth" to mean I'm deliberately not telling you the truth because you can't handle it. Sure, they've got all the evidence that points them to what the truth likely is, but it's not the same as being told the truth directly which confirm everything.