MovieChat Forums > Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) Discussion > (Spoiler) This film trivalizes marriage...

(Spoiler) This film trivalizes marriage and divorce




***Spoilers***

Was anybody else put off about how easily Don Ameche's character just threw away his marriage?

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I wouldn't say put off, rather bemused. It was as if Charlie had no deep feelings for Stella. Even when they were originally dating before Stella and 'Alex' became an item, Charlie accepted it with bizarre ease.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

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He does love her. But he follows the line he says when Stella goes to NY. That Alxander does not own Stella.
So, he does not own Stella, even if they are married. And he saw that she does not love him and wants Alexander. So he liberated her.

If this movie trivialize something is the notion of the good looking, rich, selfish fella gets always what he wants (the woman he loves, the fame, the money, the recognition), and the nice, good hearted guy gets only to watch.

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BTW, Don Ameche was Tyrone's best man, in his first marriage to Annabella. Does anyone know if Ty was his best man when he married for the first time. Then again, maybe he got married before Ty.

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Let me guess... he'd "thrown away his marriage", after he'd already been dumped?

Dude, that's all you CAN do, if you've been dumped, or your spouse wants to dump you. You can never force anyone to stay if they don't want to.

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Stella admitted she had feelings for the other guy, but I do think she would have been willing to make it work.

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Maybe it'd have worked out, but if a person wants to end a marriage *before* their spouse cheats on them, that's reasonable.

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