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* TheEasyWayOrTheHardWay: The choice between taking a summer job or going to summer camp is presented as this. All Bobby wants to do is load around the lakehouse for the summer. Whether this becomes a TheWindowsOrTheStairs choice based on the events of the book is open to interpretation.
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* SadisticChoice: Rumson presents Bobby with one of these at the end of the book. Either Bobby takes Rumson out to the island and let's himself be kneecapped, or Willie just shoot Bobby on the dock. Presumably the attraction of the former is supposed to be Rumson will let Bobby's friends get him medical help, but given it's a 20 minute round trip to the island... Fortunately, a third option presents itself.
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* HopelessBossFight: Despite being alone, outnumbered, blindfolded, and panicked, the moment Rumson orders he be stripped, Bobby is determined to defend his dignity. He does manage to get in a few good hits, but it's still an overweight teenager versus six much older teens, and it's not long before they overpower him. He laments as they each pin one of his limbs to the ground that he can only struggle pathetically while they pull off his clothes.
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* HopelessBossFight: Despite being alone, outnumbered, blindfolded, and panicked, the moment Rumson orders he be stripped, Bobby is determined to defend his dignity. He does manage to get in a few good hits, hits (keeping this from being a CurbStompBattle), but it's still an overweight out of shape teenager versus six much older older, fitter teens, and it's not long before they overpower him. He laments as they each pin one of his limbs to the ground that he can only struggle pathetically while they pull off his clothes.
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* HopelessBossFight: Despite being alone, outnumbered, blindfolded, and panicked, the moment Rumson orders he be stripped, Bobby is determined to defend his dignity. He does manage to get in a few good hits, but it's still an overweight teenager versus six much older teens, and it's not long before they overpower him. He laments as they each pin one of his limbs to the ground that he can only struggle pathetically while they pull off his clothes.
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* MuscleAngst: Part of the reason Bobby hates vacationing at Rumson Lake in particular. He's surrounded by peers showing off much better physiques than his.
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* MuscleAngst: Part of the reason Bobby hates vacationing at Rumson Lake in particular. He's surrounded by peers showing off much better physiques than his.
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* MuscleAngst: Part of the reason Bobby hates vacationing at Rumson Lake in particular. He's surrounded by peers showing off much better physiques than his.
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* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: Bobby seems quite vocal about this where Jodie is concerned. Done for laughs when Pete Marino asks if Michelle is his girlfriend.
---> "That's gross, she's my sister."
---> "That's gross, she's my sister."
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* ChekhovsSkill: Early in the book, Bobby reveals that, before he became embarrassed by his weight, he actually enjoyed swimming, and was very good at it. This becomes useful in the climax of the book when he has to fight Willy Rumson after the older teen knocks them both in the water.
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* ChekhovsSkill: Early ChekhovsSkill:
**Early in the book, Bobby reveals that, before he became embarrassed by his weight, he actually enjoyed swimming, and was very good at it. This becomes useful in the climax of the book when he has to fight Willy Rumson after the older teen knocks them both in thewater.water.
** Adapted in the movie with an early scene showing Bobby in the tub holding his breath underwater. At the end of the film, rather than attack Rumson like a shark, Bobby [[spoiler: bearhugs him, pinning his arms and holding him underwater to force Willie to surrender.]]
**Early in the book, Bobby reveals that, before he became embarrassed by his weight, he actually enjoyed swimming, and was very good at it. This becomes useful in the climax of the book when he has to fight Willy Rumson after the older teen knocks them both in the
** Adapted in the movie with an early scene showing Bobby in the tub holding his breath underwater. At the end of the film, rather than attack Rumson like a shark, Bobby [[spoiler: bearhugs him, pinning his arms and holding him underwater to force Willie to surrender.]]
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* DisproportionateRetribution: Rumson always claims his bullying is a direct result of Bobby's actions towards him. Even if that were true, his idea of payback is fairly extreme.
** Bobby took his job, so Willie feels compelled to harass Bobby, and even robs him of a week's wages.
** Bobby mouths to Willie in front of his friends, so Willie humiliates and strands him on an island in the lake (note; he'd actually planned to beat Bobby to a pulp, but was talked down from that).
** Bobby disappears from the island, causing Willie to flee the lake to avoid a murder charge. Willie decides to try to blow put one of Bobby's knees.
** Bobby took his job, so Willie feels compelled to harass Bobby, and even robs him of a week's wages.
** Bobby mouths to Willie in front of his friends, so Willie humiliates and strands him on an island in the lake (note; he'd actually planned to beat Bobby to a pulp, but was talked down from that).
** Bobby disappears from the island, causing Willie to flee the lake to avoid a murder charge. Willie decides to try to blow put one of Bobby's knees.
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* CompositeCharacter: Willie's gang of about seven local teens becomes only two, one of whom is actually just a composite of two brothers, while the second would be the remaining five. Given the lack of individual characterization most of the gang members had, though, this made sense.
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* CompositeCharacter: Willie's gang of about seven local teens becomes only two, two for the movie, one of whom is actually just a composite of two brothers, while the second would be the remaining five. Given the lack of individual characterization most of the gang members had, though, this made sense.
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* AscendedExtra: Dr. Kahn went from being a minor, but important, character in the book to being a more major one in the movie, bordering on a MentorArchetype.
* AscendedExtra: Dr. Kahn went from being a minor, but important, character in the book to being a more major one in the movie, bordering on a MentorArchetype.
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* CorruptHick: Downplayed version. Willie Rumson's uncle is the sheriff, and its implied and outright stated that his influence keeps Willie from getting in trouble for some of his sketchier activities. Of course this protection doesn't extend to covering up an assault charge if Willie goes too far.
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* CompositeCharacter: Willie's gang of about seven local teens becomes only two, one of whom is actually just a composite of two brothers, while the second would be the remaining five. Given the lack of individual characterization most of the gang members had, though, this made sense.
* CorruptHick: Downplayed version. Willie Rumson's uncle isthe thd sheriff, and its implied and outright stated that his influence keeps Willie from getting in trouble for some of his sketchier activities. Of course this protection doesn't extend to covering up an assault charge if Willie goes too far.
* CorruptHick: Downplayed version. Willie Rumson's uncle is
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* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Used in the
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* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Used in the movie to give a more solid motive to Willie's actions in the final act after [[spoiler: Bobby discovers Rumson making out with his boyfriend.]] While today that might not be such a big deal, the story is set in the 70s, and it's unlikely Willie would have survived had Bobby spilled his guts about it.
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** In the movie he inadvertently becomes one for [[spoiler:Willie Rumson, who he accidentally catches have a sweet moment with his boyfriend. Spoilered because the movie is still fairly new.]]
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** In the movie he inadvertently becomes one for [[spoiler:Willie Rumson, who he accidentally catches have having a sweet moment with his boyfriend. boyfriend.]] Spoilered because the movie is still fairly new.]]
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* DeliberateValuesDissonace: Used in the
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* DeliberateValuesDissonace: DeliberateValuesDissonance: Used in the
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* DeliberateValuesDissonace: Used in the
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* SheCleansUpNicely: Jodie Williams after her nose job is described 8j a much more attractive fashion. In the movie, Rumson even takes notice, stating she was too attractive for Bobby.
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* SheCleansUpNicely: Jodie Williams after her nose job is described 8j a much more attractive fashion. In the movie, Rumson even takes notice, stating she was too attractive for Bobby. [[spoiler: Of course Bobby knows Rumson isn't actually attracted to her.]]
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* MovingTheGoalposts: The nature of the job Bobby accepts from Dr. Kahn, at least from his perspective. Originally billed as lawn care for a small patch of grass, the job actually ends up being a full time lawn maintenance job, cleaning out gutters and trimming hedges included. Bobby is also saddled with a heavy, gas powered, push lawnmower he has to fight to keep moving forward (never mind a in a straight line), and a pair of shears that are as hard to open as they are to close. His first day is such a disaster, Dr. Kahn refuses to pay him for it, and even charges Bobby for damage incurred to the lawnmower's blade when it hit an errant rock. However, as Bobby begins to master the workload, his sense of self-worth is also seen to improve.
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* MovingTheGoalposts: The nature of the job Bobby accepts from Dr. Kahn, at least from his perspective. Originally billed as lawn care for a small patch of grass, the job actually ends up being a full time lawn maintenance job, cleaning out gutters and trimming hedges included. Bobby is also saddled with a heavy, gas powered, push lawnmower he has to fight to keep moving forward (never mind a in a straight line), and a pair of shears that are as hard to open as they are to close. His first day is such a disaster, Dr. Kahn refuses to pay him for it, and even charges Bobby for damage incurred to the lawnmower's blade when it hit an errant rock. rock, and even decides to cut Bobby's wages in half because he's such a disaster. However, as Bobby begins to master the workload, his sense of self-worth is also seen to improve.improve.
** Lessened in the movie when it turns out Dr. Kahn has not only kept track of what Bobby would have earned at the original rate, but has it in an envelope for Bobby. All he has to do is assert himself for it.
** Lessened in the movie when it turns out Dr. Kahn has not only kept track of what Bobby would have earned at the original rate, but has it in an envelope for Bobby. All he has to do is assert himself for it.
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* WellDoneSonGuy: Marty Marks seems to have little patience with his son, even berating HIM when Marty finds out the adult Dr. Kahn is taking advantage of Bobby. Still, once Bobby begins to lose weight, Marty is the one who encourages Bobby to get a new wardrobe, over his wife's protests.
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* WellDoneSonGuy: Marty Marks seems to have little patience with his son, even berating HIM when Marty finds out the adult Dr. Kahn is taking advantage of Bobby. Still, once Bobby begins to lose weight, Marty is the one who encourages Bobby to get a new wardrobe, over his wife's protests.protests.
* WrongForTheRightReasons: Bobby notices his normally benign parents fighting more often, followed by his father having to return to New York for work reasons. At first Bobby thinks his Dad is having an affair, a fear he shares with Michelle, only to find out instead that Marty, in an effort to provide for his family, has lost his shirt in the stock market and is desperately trying to recoup the financial losses.
* WrongForTheRightReasons: Bobby notices his normally benign parents fighting more often, followed by his father having to return to New York for work reasons. At first Bobby thinks his Dad is having an affair, a fear he shares with Michelle, only to find out instead that Marty, in an effort to provide for his family, has lost his shirt in the stock market and is desperately trying to recoup the financial losses.
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* NakedPeopleTrappedOutside: Rumson's friends suggest doing this to Bobby instead of beating him up, because they know Willy won't escape an assault charge. It's noted that the realization they might actually do this is what causes Bobby to start to freak out when they have him locked in the car trunk.
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* TookALevelInJerkass: In the sequel book, Bobby's new confidence and skinnier body has led to him becoming a touch conceited and ruder, at least according to Michelle Marks. Despite this, he does still retain many of his more loveable qualities.
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* IAmBigBoned: Bobby never denies being overweight, but he does seem to believe his Low Basal Metabolism (which he sets his watch to and uses as a time reference) is more responsible for it than the overeating or sedentary lifestyle.
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* FatAndSkinny: Bobby and Jodie fit this description.
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* SecretKeeper: Bobby becomes this for his sister Michelle with regards to her relationship with Pete Marino.
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* SecretKeeper: SecretKeeper:
** Bobby becomes this for his sister Michelle with regards to her relationship with PeteMarino.Marino.
** In the movie he inadvertently becomes one for [[spoiler:Willie Rumson, who he accidentally catches have a sweet moment with his boyfriend. Spoilered because the movie is still fairly new.]]
** Bobby becomes this for his sister Michelle with regards to her relationship with Pete
** In the movie he inadvertently becomes one for [[spoiler:Willie Rumson, who he accidentally catches have a sweet moment with his boyfriend. Spoilered because the movie is still fairly new.]]
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* WalkingShirtlessScene: There is hardly a scene where local hardbody [[TheAce Pete Marino]] is covered from the waist up. While this might normally serve as FanService for some, and certainly did for his sister, it only serves to make Bobby self-conscious about his own physique.
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* AscendedExtra: Dr. Kahn went from being a minor, but important, character in the book to being a more major one in the movie, bordering on a MentorArchetype.
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* AgeLift: Done for the movie wherein Bobby and Jodie go from 14 to 16, Rumson is old enough to have served a tour in Vietnam and been Pete Marino's elder, and Dr. Kahn is hinted to have been in World War 2.
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* TitleDrop: Done in the movie for both of the story's titles.
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* SheCleansUpNicely: Jodie Williams after her nose job is described 8j a much more attractive fashion. In the movie, Rumson even takes notice, stating she was too attractive for Bobby.
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* SecretKeeper: Bobby becomes this for his sister Michelle with regards to her relationship with Pete Marino.
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* EvenEvilHasStandards: Apparently Rumson's gang is okay with kidnapping someone they don't like, stripping him naked, and abandoning him on an island to "destroy him," but they draw the line at actually stealing cash from his wallet. (Though they don't seem to care if one of his socks gets lost.)
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* DrivenToSuicide: More through inaction than a threat of self-harm, but narrowly averted. Facedown on the island as he's being pelted by cold rain drops, the waves of the lake lapping at his feet, Bobby considers simply remaining still and letting the pooling water rise up to drown him. He does worry his parents will be upset at first, but it doesn't take him long to begin believing no one will really be all that upset with him dying, even thinking they may find it funny to find "a beached whale washed up on the beach." Thankfully not every part of him is ready to give up.
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* InferioritySuperiorityComplex: Willie Rumson's biggest problem, feeding into his nasty temper and sociopathy. His family used to own the lake the story is set in, but they've been reduced to fairly minor players in the town, particularly when the vacationing out of towners show up and start throwing their money around. When Bobby takes the job Rumson views as his, Rumson begins to fixate on Bobby, using the smaller, weaker teen who "cheated" him as a focal point for his anger.
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* ImpoverishedPatrician: A more rural example, but it's there. The Rumson family used to own the whole lake and the land surrounding it, hence the name. Rough times and bad decisions have resulted in nearly all of the land and the entirety of the lake changing ownership and becoming a vacation spot. While the family may not be below the poverty line at the start of the book, they're not the players they once were. Willie Rumson still likes to boast the lake belongs to him.
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** A minor exception for Dr. Kahn. While he doesn't actually seem to care about Bobby, per say, he gets very angry and Rumson and his friends when they harass Bobby while he's on the job. He even threatens retaliation against the business owned by two of the gang members' father if they don't leave Bobby alone. That being said, he never thinks to file an official complaint against them, and is indirectly responsible for the Make-Out Island incident when he keeps Bobby past dark and let's him walk home alone.
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* EmpathicEnvironment: Borders on FisherKing levels at times. At the start of the book, while the weather at Rumson Lake isn't bad, there are a few clouds in the sky. Any scene featuring Bobby working for Dr. Kahn will showcase oppressive heat and an overbearing sun beating down on him. The night starts out cool, dark, and cloudy when Rumson and his friends kidnap Bobby until they abandon him on Make-Out Island. The storm breaks into a cold, driving rain as Bobby suffers his [[HeroicBSOD breakdown]] in the sand, only letting up slightly as he resolves to not give up and find shelter. He wakes up to a rising sun, the clouds gone and the day refreshed, having recovered some sense of his own personal worth.
