Campbell Scott's character, Roger, is not only amoral but he's someone who feeds off of his amorality, loves it. Then he is confronted with his nephew, who wants help to have sex with women but still hangs on to his moral center throughout the movie, often desperately. Nick is a good kid put down again and again by his arrogant uncle.
In the end, at the brothel, the amoral Roger must make a moral decision. He sees his nephew for frail human being, someone who needs compassion. From this dark drama there is an emotional arc worth seeing.
It is not as if Roger sees the light and becomes a puritan, but he does become someone who wants to help people, teaching his greatest skill, talking to women. This is a morality play, and it is a very good one.
In the end, at the brothel, the amoral Roger must make a moral decision. He sees his nephew for frail human being, someone who needs compassion. From this dark drama there is an emotional arc worth seeing.
It is not as if Roger sees the light and becomes a puritan, but he does become someone who wants to help people, teaching his greatest skill, talking to women. This is a morality play, and it is a very good one.