The book is amazing; I couldn’t put it down! I love Michelle Pfeiffer’s interpretation of this character, fragile and a little mouthy all at once! A layered and complex performance…
At that time she is attracted by her (because she is so different) but he thinks he is in love with May. So he feels safe to cultivate the friendship. Same with the countess, she does not want to break up an egagement. (I go by how it is written in the book).
I am mot regretful of this era. In fact I am nostalgic over it, since our modern society tends to indulge in over expressing of any random thought that entered anyone’s mind.
@@JeantheSecond-ip7qm IKR? People, whom a person meets, are just a mirror of who they are. If they are associated with low class people it's totally on them.
also there is a rediculous narcissistic assumption that they would be born into aristocracy. When in reality they can't even make it into upper-middle class which is vast and open nowadays. You are really lucky you are born today. If you were born there, you would die under a bridge or would work for 18 hours a day in really sh!tty job till the end of your life.
Countess Olenska was born in the US but she left to marry a count. She comes back to NY years later having separated from her husband against everyone's wishes. This was a scandal because it was considered immoral to leave your husband.
And she was more open minded and accepting of people outside her social status. She was more of a free thinker and saw the absurdity of some of the social restrictions. The more you watch this film the more witty her conversations seem. She's a tragic figure who is doing her best to hold on to her childhood memories of her birthplace and family. Unfortunate those friends and family are only willing to forgive her to the degree she stays within their social norms. They are not the safe haven from her abusive husband she needs.
Most of them did nothing productive. They tried to imitate the aristocratic class of GB in that respect. They were born into very wealthy / rich families and partially into influental families. Archie had no father (anymore) and his widowed mother adored him. He held an office job (sounded like lower management to me, or maybe he played the assistant for the rich relative that had hired him, w/o expecting him to be productive - I forgot the details it's been years I read the book). His mother was always worried that they "made him work too hard" when in reality he came in and half of the time he read the news papers. This was more like an appropriate time to spend your time for a young man. If they had been British gentry his past time would have been hunting and riding, but that did not work out when living year round in New York. The women stood up late, ate breakfast, shopped. Wrote letters, and received visitors. They attended social events. If they were really bored it was appropriate to play an instrument or sing, maybe reading. And doing crafts. But hardly ever something that was remotely useful. And a very limited way of doing "charity". Which cemented the difference of the classes. Throwing some breadcrumbs and the recipients had to be meek and excessively thankful. They were parasites. But did not necessarily have a good or happy or interesting life despite their privileges. As for the visuals it is of course much more satisfying to show the life of the rich. The ballroom scenes are stunning and wardrobe and equipment must have gotten large budgets. And the china ! probably they were able to borrow originals from museums. (insurance alone costs a fortune).
Why did he say that he was in love with May as much as a man could be, which would imply that he loved her to the limit of what a man could, but in the very next breath said that if there were a limit to how much a man could love, then he never experienced it? That's an outright logical contradiction! 😮
He was acustomed to speaking in cliches. Ellens response takes him aback when he realizes the meaning behind the cliche. She lives above the stilted polite conversation of the society.
@@hamsterdiving7593 Ellen was not royalty; she was an American girl whose impoverished mother dragged around Europe and married her off very young to a Polish Count. Still, I think she has a natural charm & freedom of thought that surpasses her stuffy New York cousins.
Joanne Woodward was fantastic as the narrator she has a beautiful voice
One of the highlights of the film for me.
I must say Michelle Pfeiffer was lovely in this movie
The acting in this movie is superb.
Goodness, I love this film. Such a gorgeous adaptation of an amazing novel.
I cried a lot. It’s beautiful like a technicolor movie. The yellow and the red are stunning.
Me too. I hate the ending
The book is amazing; I couldn’t put it down! I love Michelle Pfeiffer’s interpretation of this character, fragile and a little mouthy all at once! A layered and complex performance…
Isn't she amazing?! A great film with a superb cast.
I have never seen this film, or read the book!
I must remedy both these sins ASAP.
Have you yet?
A engaged man chasing after a married woman who is only separated and not divorced. That behavior is absolutely scandalous of the day.
At that time she is attracted by her (because she is so different) but he thinks he is in love with May. So he feels safe to cultivate the friendship. Same with the countess, she does not want to break up an egagement. (I go by how it is written in the book).
And wore a bright red dress.
I am mot regretful of this era. In fact I am nostalgic over it, since our modern society tends to indulge in over expressing of any random thought that entered anyone’s mind.
You miss repressing thoughts and feelings? 🤨
No, we miss when people did not have the need to showcase every burp.
@@sonialelii9038 Trying to remember the last person I heard burp… Not coming up with anything.
Who are you hanging out with?
@@JeantheSecond-ip7qm IKR? People, whom a person meets, are just a mirror of who they are. If they are associated with low class people it's totally on them.
also there is a rediculous narcissistic assumption that they would be born into aristocracy. When in reality they can't even make it into upper-middle class which is vast and open nowadays.
You are really lucky you are born today. If you were born there, you would die under a bridge or would work for 18 hours a day in really sh!tty job till the end of your life.
Oh, it's the lady from Dune!
I'd like to hear how the props people did the oysters and special appetizers in this scene
That is Sian Phillips.
This reminds me of the Gilded age, what exactly what Madame Olenska do exactly??
Countess Olenska was born in the US but she left to marry a count. She comes back to NY years later having separated from her husband against everyone's wishes. This was a scandal because it was considered immoral to leave your husband.
And she was more open minded and accepting of people outside her social status. She was more of a free thinker and saw the absurdity of some of the social restrictions. The more you watch this film the more witty her conversations seem. She's a tragic figure who is doing her best to hold on to her childhood memories of her birthplace and family. Unfortunate those friends and family are only willing to forgive her to the degree she stays within their social norms. They are not the safe haven from her abusive husband she needs.
Madame Olenska's husband cheated on her repeatedly. Even then, "good" society wanted her to go back to him and endure 😢
@@DayneandtheStars
Mistreated her as well
Most of them did nothing productive. They tried to imitate the aristocratic class of GB in that respect. They were born into very wealthy / rich families and partially into influental families. Archie had no father (anymore) and his widowed mother adored him. He held an office job (sounded like lower management to me, or maybe he played the assistant for the rich relative that had hired him, w/o expecting him to be productive - I forgot the details it's been years I read the book). His mother was always worried that they "made him work too hard" when in reality he came in and half of the time he read the news papers.
This was more like an appropriate time to spend your time for a young man. If they had been British gentry his past time would have been hunting and riding, but that did not work out when living year round in New York.
The women stood up late, ate breakfast, shopped. Wrote letters, and received visitors. They attended social events. If they were really bored it was appropriate to play an instrument or sing, maybe reading. And doing crafts. But hardly ever something that was remotely useful.
And a very limited way of doing "charity". Which cemented the difference of the classes.
Throwing some breadcrumbs and the recipients had to be meek and excessively thankful.
They were parasites. But did not necessarily have a good or happy or interesting life despite their privileges.
As for the visuals it is of course much more satisfying to show the life of the rich. The ballroom scenes are stunning and wardrobe and equipment must have gotten large budgets. And the china ! probably they were able to borrow originals from museums. (insurance alone costs a fortune).
Why did he say that he was in love with May as much as a man could be, which would imply that he loved her to the limit of what a man could, but in the very next breath said that if there were a limit to how much a man could love, then he never experienced it? That's an outright logical contradiction! 😮
He was acustomed to speaking in cliches. Ellens response takes him aback when he realizes the meaning behind the cliche. She lives above the stilted polite conversation of the society.
yes! and better
For some reason this is probably my least favorite period drama. It’s so … placid. And the two leads haven’t a drop of chemistry together.
I still hate Fifer for what she did to Jolie!
It's Pfeiffer. But what are you referring to?
Maleficent, Mistress of Evil, @@melissasaint3283!
🙄🤌?
Does Maleficent: Mistress of Evil ring a bell, @@luqueteeees?
what a beautiful masterpiece. shame more don't get it- speaks to where we are as a civilization.
Michelle Pfeiffer has absolutely no grace and no stamp of nobility in this movie.
Maybe that's the point
@@hamsterdiving7593 Ellen was not royalty; she was an American girl whose impoverished mother dragged around Europe and married her off very young to a Polish Count. Still, I think she has a natural charm & freedom of thought that surpasses her stuffy New York cousins.