I know all of us are talking about the bathhouse scene in Goncharov and the symbolism of the towels colors and how it’s such an expertly crafted fight scene in the sense it’s not.
But I have seen no one talk about the themes of vulnerability in the scene. We have two men with literal cards to their chests in nothing but towels. They are incredibly guarded in the most vulnerable position possible. They are bluffing about their hands and about their guns. And yet here they are completely exposed to each other. All of their scars on display for the other to see.
And then when Rybak starts to slowly show his hand one card at a time. Showing that he can be trusted while showing he didn’t have the winning hand. And then Goncharov misreads this and shoots him, thus beginning the downfall of Goncharov. How he couldn’t be vulnerable with Andrey or Katya. Both of whom betray him at the end because of this exact reason.
All because he thought he would surely be shot if he too became vulnerable. Just like he did to Rybak
