Trivia: Dylan's mom's story about the Florida man who was in bed when a sinkhole opened up under him actually happened to Jeffrey Bush on 2/28/13 in Seffner, Fl (Tampa suburb). He (along with his bedroom furniture) was entombed. Brother Jeremy heard him scream, jumped in with a shovel and tried to dig him out, but Jeffrey's body was never recovered. The house was razed and the sinkhole filled in but it re-opened 2+ years later on 8/20/15. Sinkholes are common in FL and 6 states - AL, KY, MS, PA, TN, TX. (01:26:35)
Trivia: Although branches and leaves were shown, a Weeping Willow tree was NOT likely to be near Dylan's grave because it is fast-growing, its extensive and invasive roots grow close to the surface, and the roots radiate outward, about three times the tree's height. If digging the grave did not actually cut into roots, disturbing the soil would be enough to damage the tree and/or the roots would eventually uplift the grave. Also, leaves and branches shed, creating a mess and even tripping hazard. (01:06:25)
Trivia: Dylan's burial scene is shown through what appear to be "Weeping Willow" tree branches/leaves, which droop toward the ground. In addition to the obvious "weeping" and mourning the tree might represent, Weeping Willows have numerous symbolic meanings (far too many to mention here), such as immortality, the ability to grow through hardships, and to adapt to whatever life throws at you. Perhaps for Mara, it represents letting go of Dylan and the pain - to adjust, grow stronger, and even thrive. (01:06:25)
Trivia: Despite having outspoken Mara as a student in his classes for at least two consecutive years, Mr. Spiros mispronounced her name as "Mare-ah" instead of "Mar-ah." I don't think it is an accident in the movie that Mr. Spiros also mispronounced Dylan's last name as "Hove-meyer" instead of "Huv-ah-meyer." These may serve as examples of how "distant" or "disinterested" some teachers are in getting to know (or truly care about) their students. (00:17:55 - 01:20:19)
Trivia: Any significance to the C-4 jukebox song? Was it a Springsteen song about a milk truck? Did it represent the blood component test (Component C4) used to diagnose diseases such as lupus (suggesting a possible cause for "popping")? Low C4 levels are associated with liver disease from drinking alcohol - a hint that drugs/alcohol were to blame? There is a plastic explosive C-4. A detonator is required to explode a stick of C-4 - FBI Agent Rosetti asked Mara and Tess if they were blowing up people. (00:58:25)
Trivia: FBI Special Agent Rosetti responded to Mara's joke - "It could be worse, right? We could be Republicans" - by saying, "That was funny." Republicans probably don't agree and viewers favoring various political parties might not "get" the joke. Basically, New Jersey (movie's setting) has been a "Democratic trifecta" for about the last thirty (30) years (since 1992). (Ha Ha?). (00:29:07)
Trivia: It might seem unusual to use a high school pre-calculus class to introduce most of the main characters (which include several football players) and the phenomenon of "popping" or spontaneous combustion, but New Jersey Public Schools are either at THE top or among the top best public schools in the U.S. New Jersey also has a high percentage of college graduates (~ 40% ages 25+) and a high per capita income (i.e, is a wealthy state).
