Why Mike went back for Nick

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2010)

Mike returned to Vietnam to find Nick for many reasons. I think the entire time he was back in the States he felt an underlying guilt because he hadn't kept his promise to Nick (that he would bring Nick back home no matter what, whether he was dead or alive). He also felt remorse for loving Meryl Streep's character even though she was Nick's girl, and he knew he could never really be with her if he knew Nick could be alive. The main influence, however, was discovering all the money Stevie had been receiving anonymously from a beneficiary in Nam. Mike knew immediately that it was Nick sending the money. It gave him hope that he was still alive, but Mike also had a sense of foreboding, thinking of the last time he had seen Nick in the Roullette ring holding a gun to his head and wondered how the heck Nick could have survived in that sort of lifestyle for so long. But Mike goes back to Vietnam to find his best friend, whom he loves and needs. His need for Nick is exemplified in the second Deer Hunting scene, when Mike fails to shoot the stag. Mike goes back for Nick for many reasons, but the main reason is because he loves his best friend.