MovieChat Forums > Bright Eyes (1934) Discussion > I felt for Joy at the end (Spoiler Alert...

I felt for Joy at the end (Spoiler Alert)

posted 10 years ago by BoyWiththeGreenHair
8 replies | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, for most of the film, Joy was an undisciplined brat who probably deserved a good spanking for most of the film. But, the one time she gets a harsh smack is when she's happy about something she assumes should make both her and her parents happy. It just showed what cold and selfish people the parents were and how little they cared about their daughter that they were going to take this out on her over something they knew was their fault. I just get the impression that her life was going to be extremely unhappy from then on. And, so even if Joy was a brat, I don't consider this to be a very "Happy Ending," for her anyway.

[–] cruzlexie 10 years ago

I agree but then again I actually LIKED the bratty kid.

[–] Garnet-McGee 9 years ago

Who on earth would sympathize with Joy? She was rich, had both her parents AND was a miserable brat that deserved worse than a slap.

Shirley was poor, sweet-natured & orphaned (and as an orphan I can relate). She deserved all the sympathy in this movie.....Hands Down!

[–] FreckleFaceFanny 9 years ago

I think Ms. Withers performance was a good one, but who on earth would like "Joy"???? She was a horrible kid that deserved everything she got!

Team Shirley all the way!

[–] TheChamCham 9 years ago

She earned that slap and it was so fitting that her mother, who had so blindly defended her throughout the picture, delivered it. I have a feeling that the Smythe household was going to be seeing a few more changes,for the better.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

TheChamCham says > She earned that slap and it was so fitting that her mother, who had so blindly defended her throughout the picture, delivered it.

I have to disagree. Joy is a total brat but no one deserves to be slapped like that especially not a child. Besides, I blame her parents for her misbehavior and bad attitude. If she deserves to be slapped who's going to slap them?

I have a feeling that the Smythe household was going to be seeing a few more changes,for the better.

What's going to change is their standard of living. The uncle was the moneybags. That's why they were trying to appease him and wanted him to continue living there. People who are that greedy and willing to use other people won't become better people when they have fewer resources. With or without resources, they're miserable people.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] TheChamCham 9 years ago

I think the Smythes could all use a good slap. And then a hug. And then a kick in the pants.

When I said "for the better", I meant that without Uncle Ned's money they would have to learn to fend for themselves, go to work, economize, do without servants and other unnecessary luxuries, and hopefully it would force them to become nicer people and a real family. But I wouldn't bet on it.

"Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!"🍧-HOMER J.SIMPSON

[–] cmashieldscapting 8 years ago

True, and been there, done that. (Punished as a child for voicing what others obviously felt.) With both Uncle Ned and Shirley gone, Joy was losing the two main good influences left in her life. Notice how Joy has way more threads here than Shirley?

[–] liscarkat (16496) 2 years ago

She didn't really slap Joy to discipline her. She was just pissed off that the gravy train was being altered, and impulsively took her frustration out on the helpless kid.