At the start of the film, Lee Chandler works alone as a janitor, earning almost nothing. His lifestyle seems strange—why endure such grueling labor for so little? The story reveals that Lee’s life is consumed by guilt and grief. When he learns of his brother’s death, he handles the arrangements with little visible emotion. After his brother leaves him custody of his nephew, Patrick, Lee struggles with the responsibility. Once close, their bond has faded, and Lee now lives in isolation, disconnected from his family. His reaction, “I can’t do this,” stems from a deeper, unspoken pain.
Lee’s tragic past is the root of his despair. Once carefree and immature, he accidentally left the fireplace open, causing a fire that killed his three children. His wife left him, and Lee’s life spiraled into guilt and self-punishment. Though the tragedy wasn’t legally his fault, Lee blames himself, seeking punishment from the police and even attempting suicide. Despite taking custody of Patrick, he remains trapped in his guilt, unable to escape the shadows of his past.
Grief manifests in different ways—some cry uncontrollably, while others become detached and numb. Lee embodies the latter, unable to forgive himself. In life, we often burden ourselves with guilt for mistakes, even when they’re unintentional. Forgiveness is one of the hardest yet most effective ways to move forward. Without it, we remain stuck, unable to heal. Lee’s story reminds us that while we can’t change the past, learning to forgive ourselves is the first step toward recovery.