If it's true that Porter ran off with Addie, then why doesn't Deborah sit back down say "Whew, I feel better," and pour herself a drink?
Why is Rita's line, "She'd have found out in the morning," said with such melancholy if Brad was coming home.
There's a disconnect between what was intended and what's up on the screen.
I agree, that if it was intended to be said to show that she would have found out her husband Did NOt run off, and she would have found out anyway, so why tell her that night, it did not come off correctly.
I had to go back and watch the last few mins again 3 times to be sure of what I was hearing.
I guess Porter decided to admit it was himself to make sure that Deb did not have a miserable night?
That's exactly correct and Lora Mae loved him for trying to make Debra feel a little relieved, if only for the night.
sharePart of her melancholy is due to the fact that they all just learned that Porter did run off with Addie (even though he changed his mind), so no one is happy at that point to learn that Lora Mae was probably cheated on and her marriage may be over because many women would consider that a final straw. They are happy for Deb, but sad for Lora Mae.
shareWell, Rita speaks with such melancholy because Porter has admitted, to everyone, that he was running away with Addie Ross and set himself up for a divorce from Laura Mae.
He could have said nothing and Deborah would have "found out in the morning anyway" that Brad was NOT running off with Addie....but he spoke up, embarrassing and humiliating himself so Deborah would know a bit of peace a few hours earlier and, hopefully get a better night's sleep, which is why Porter says that "Deborah is a nice kid and deserves a good night."
Rita thinks Porter's admission may break up his marriage and she is sad about that.