Mendes' very subtle, even somewhat subliminal, techniques were consciously designed to undermine and mock the very idea that psychological norms exist and are worthy of emulation and adherence. The Marine colonel is a caricature --- not a character that one finds in real life. The hardass colonel represents homophobia, a nonsense word whose etymology is purely political. As an actual, diagnosable psychological syndrome, it doesn't exist. Violence springs from homophobia in Mendes' construct, for all heterosexual men fear hidden homosexual urges, and they lash out rather than face the truth. Sexual ambivalence and bisexuality are universal and their denial is the source of the rotten core at the heart of every American middle-class family. For Mendes, only homosexuals possess true authenticity.
If this message is unclear to you, Mendes has done his job well. He meant to confuse the message, and, as I say, deliver it subliminally.
Link me to this lengthy discussion you had with Mendes where he says such things. Like I posted to DoctorMichael, you will never convice me you didn't watch the film with those notions already planted in your head.
You guys read too much into movies. Nothing can be entertainment anymore. I thought the movie was an accurate portrait of how screwed up many people are.
The sort of "message" you claim is there can not be conveyed "subliminally", one has to cognitively accept it, as you obviously have. Based upon your claim, my views have been changed by this movie, and I do not even know it. LOL!!