Question: Two questions in the opening montage: 1. Why did Mitch seem somewhat ungrateful when Phil handed him some money as a sole act of consideration and respect for him, and what was he inferring when he told Slim "he really loves you"? He didn't even seem all that interested in Phil's compassion towards him even though he accepted it. 2. Why was Mitch upset on the beach? Why not just join Slim and his daughter, talking with them and ask how they are?
Question: If Mitch set up a custody battle for Gracie while Slim was hiding, then why doesn't he file a missing persons report for them as well? Surely he would have figured the law would be on his side as she would seem completely unreliable for "kidnapping" his child and disappearing, and that there would have been some kind of manhunt or tracking done to find her? So why waste his own time into searching when he could just have the authorities do the work for him?
Answer: Mitch is trying to control the situation completely. Yes, he could have filed a missing persons report, but he would prefer to get Slim and Gracie back in his own way. He wants Slim to respect his dominance.
Question: How on earth could it take as long five years for a possessive and controlling abuser like Mitch to first show his true nature? I get that with some abusers it can take a bit of time, but five years seems a bit of a stretch. Also, did Mitch really believe himself to be in love with Slim? It seemed to me that he was far more arrogant and greedy, rather than lusting.
Answer: Terrifyingly, it absolutely is not a stretch; abusers can lay the groundwork for a very long time, including years, before "revealing" themselves. The better to manipulate not only the victim, but the people around them, who will say "Oh, I've known him for years and he wouldn't do that" if the victim discloses abuse. As to your second question, you have to decide for yourself; abusers will often explain their actions as being motivated by love, but whether they believe it themselves or simply use it as a controlling tactic is a vexed question.
I believe that Slim was not abused at first because everything was going fine for Mitch. Slim was - as she later points out - taking care of his house and his child. She had not yet realised his deception. He was able to work, engage in affairs, then return to his nice home, with a beautiful wife and child. When Slim finally caught him and refused to tolerate his behavior, he was ready to "openly" abuse and control her.
Answer: In addition to the other answer here: Abusers often *do* believe that they love their victims. They have a distorted idea of how to behave and treat someone who they love. Mitch can certainly be arrogant and greedy, while also "loving" Slim in his own sick way. There are even non-abusive people who are arrogant and greedy, but love their partners and families.
Question: When speaking with Robbie, Mitch says he thinks he chose his family out of "love." Does he really mean that? Because he seems MUCH more interested in his own self-serving desires at the expense of tending to his family. Surely that should mean he would easily be capable of moving on from his family, as Robbie suggested? He even acted liked his family wasn't a huge importance until Slim called him out on his nonsense.
Answer: I believe that yes, Mitch really means it. Abusive people often have a twisted idea of love. He loves Slim and Gracie -according to his own sick idea of love. This is one reason why he can't simply move on. Also, as an abuser, he wants to control his family. If he gave up on finding them, Slim would "win", and he cannot tolerate that. He needs for his victim to come back and be controlled by him again.
Question: I found it odd that Slim's real name is never revealed. Why does she have this nickname, with no explanation as to why she never tells anyone her real name? Was there a deleted scene?
Answer: From memory her daughter says "I don't even think you're that slim" making a dig she's not that skinny, maybe it's due to her being thin?
Answer: I wonder if the nickname is related to the difficult times in her life. Her father was not around. She and her mother did not have much money. Maybe she felt that she had a "slim chance" of life getting easier.
Answer: 1. Mitch was being "polite" - putting on a good image - by accepting the money, despite not needing it. Abusive people can seem nice, charming, and respectable outside their homes. He told Slim that Phil really loves her because he has observed the bond between them. 2. I viewed his behavior at the beach as distant rather than upset. He might have been thinking about work, his affairs, or whatever. Also, it was just one moment. Maybe he joined them off-screen. Remember, Slim thinks her life is overall great until she finds out that Mitch has affairs. So he was probably acting like an ideal husband and father most of the time.