beetiesmom wrote >I really felt she brought too much over-emoting from the stage to this film.
I believe this movie was made at a time when the movie industry was in transition. The issues you raise might have a lot to do with that. The poor make-up, the overacting, intense staring, the overwhelming pathos, etc. were all representative of that era. To me, these things are holdovers from the silent movie days and, in terms of make-up, was probably the best of what was available at the time.
Including Helen's best actress Oscar, the movie won other awards voted on by people in the industry. This means they obviously saw things differently than you do now. You have to remember things that may look odd to us today were probably the norm back then. We need to consider those standards and judge them accordingly; not only in terms of the look and feel of the movie but also the mindset and decision making process of the characters.
"back then", her obstinate refusalto tell her own child that she was his mother was her only choice…
I totally disagree. Not telling her child that she’s his mother is not Madelon’s only option. Rather, it’s the choice and the sacrifice she makes out of love for him. She loves and wants to be with him but he has potential. To help him reach his potential she decides to stay out of his life. As Dr. Dulac tells her, his own options were severely limited due to his father.
In those days, and in some places even today, one’s parentage determined what someone would be able to do in life and how far they could go. Things are bad enough when Madelon gets out of prison but the downward turn her life takes afterwards, becoming a prostitute and thief, would have surely devastated all of Larry's chances. She does those things to pay for his education and open doors for him not to ruin his life or limit his options.
Despite what he’s been through, Larry turns out to be a decent person. He's thoughtful, caring, well-adjusted, and kind. Telling him she’s his mother, even in her advanced age, would put him in a precarious position. He'd want to know the details of her life and his; like who his father is. These are things she would not want to share yet she also wouldn’t want to lie to him either. One lie, 'your mother is dead', is bad enough; a series of lies would be impossible.
Also that information, if it ever got out, could ruin both his professional and social standing. Due to his nature, he probably would not deny her as his mother. Then or now, that’s a horrible thing to put on his shoulders.
… now, it seems extremely silly and stupid
Again, I must disagree. When you say ‘silly and stupid’ you’re referring to her decision to keep her secret. It’s neither silly nor stupid, in my opinion. Like a lot of women, back then and today, Madelon does what she needs to do and that includes keeping quiet. Maybe it's not 'fair' that she's in that situation but it is what it is so she deals with it responsibly and maturely.
Today, a lot of women in a similar position would abort the child; end of story. Those in Madelon’s position, who have the child, know it’s not a cake-walk; it's a struggle. Things may not reach the level of Madelon’s struggles but difficult times will come and sacrifices will have to be made. It's hard but it's doable.
Ironically, though life is in many ways much easier now than in the past or ever and societal pressures are fewer, generally people today seem less willing to be inconvenienced for any reason and in any way. Go figure. Thank God, there are still people who, like Madelon, face difficulties but never give up.
I kept wondering when she'd finally break The News... Hopefully, Larry's wife told him. ...that's what I'd like to imagine.
I, too, wondered if the secret would come out but, unlike you, I’m glad it doesn't and I feel Alice will keep quiet. It’s not her secret to tell and really there's no benefit to telling her husband. As she's already determined to do, she can be a patient wife, supporting him in his work, and encourage a closer relationship with Madelon. That's enough. If she doesn't already, in time she'll understand that Madelon does not want Larry to ever know how difficult her life has been. All her sacrifices have paid off and were well worth what she’s been through. Larry is a good person and a successful, compassionate doctor who's working hard to make a difference. What more could a loving mother want?
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