MovieChat Forums > The Swan (1956) Discussion > Albert and Alexandra

Albert and Alexandra

posted 10 years ago by GinaRenee
7 replies | jump to latest

I can't get a read on Albert's character at all. He seems to understand Alexandra fairly well -- so why couldn't he have helped her, even a little? She's a shy, nervous, sheltered young woman in a stressful situation, but instead of taking that into consideration, he, and many of the others, seem to blame her for the way she is.

Albert seems more sure of himself than she is. Surely he could make some kind of effort to be kind to her and encourage her. It isn't like she's deliberately freezing him out -- she's trying hard to reach him. (As a fellow introvert, I can see that, and I feel for her!)

I'm crazy about Sir Alec (happy 100th birthday to him, by the way! :-) ), and I think he does his best with the role. But I can't help thinking it's not a very well-written role.

[–] drippan-1 10 years ago

I think Albert understood Alexandra because he was in the same situation she was in but, like her, he couldn't help her because he was in the same type situation.

It's my belief that Albert was gay thus the reason why he couldn't choose a princess and was attracted to the professor. He, like Alexandra, were trapped by circumstances. He was as much of a swan as she was but had years of experience dealing with the matter.

I believe the love triangle in this tale was Albert/Professor and Alexandra/Professor with the professor never being able to live in their world. Albert and Alexandra got together because of their individual love for the professor.

Maybe I'm wrong but it's the one thing that makes it all to make sense to me...

[–] cruzlexie 10 years ago

I think that Albert, unlike Alexandra, covered his being uncomfortable with one-liners and wise cracks. Despite being more worldly than her, he isn't in touch with normal behavior such as apologizing for arriving so late and with such short notice. He was most likely used to women who were mature and not as shy and sheltered as Alexandra and couldn't crack her cold exterior at first. It took Agi "shaking" her up for Alexandra to finally speak up, not only showing emotion towards Agi but telling Albert off for his rudeness. When she finally spoke up, I like to think he was impressed. It needed his being humbled to finally think of someone else beside himself (he did grant Nicolas and Alexandra to be with each other when he became king, not knowing that he was leaving)

It is also possible that Albert DID see the visit as not being introduced to another potential wife but seeing family, especially hanging out with his boy cousins and the professor because he could relax. Also, he probably thought Alexandra wasn't interested. She WAS a little too standoffish, even though she didn't meant to be.

I like to think that Alexandra became a queen with Albert because she could soften his image by calling him out and put people at ease. Alexandra was an introvert and not a lot of people could know what was in her mind (her brother mentioned this) so I don't think her own family could understand how uncomfortable she really was. There was so much pressure on her and I don't think she was well-trained in being social.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 10 years ago

I liked how the ending turned out. At first I thought it was going to be like many films where the princess falls for the peasant, and walks off into the sunset with him, so it surprised me that she actually ends up with the crown prince. I wonder if this didn't have something to do with her upcoming nuptials to Prince Rainier.

[–] heyuactor 10 years ago

I didn't like how the ending turned out. The tutor was hardly a 'peasant', unless you simply mean 'peasant' equals 'non-Royalty'. He was educated and caring and intelligent. I felt Alexandra cared for, if not loved, him, and didn't give a **** about Prince Albert. In that case the ending was mighty disappointing.

If the story was made to 'fit' Grace's upcoming marriage to a Prince, then it is a bizarre way to make a movie!
Edit: or do you mean it gave her the idea, LOL?

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 10 years ago

I think she was already engaged to Prince Rainier at the time the movie was made so, it may have been tailored to her.

[–] jacowium 9 years ago

I totally agree with you. The resolution left a sour taste in my mouth. The only lame justification I can think of is that the movie does a great job in highlighting many of the absurdities of royal life - and the end is perhaps deliberately absurd to tie in with all of that. Reminding us that royals are not privy to free will to the same extent as regular folk, or something like that. Maybe if I knew more about the script for Molnar's original play I'd understand it better, but as it is, the ending does not satisfy me at all.

Professor Agi was understandably upset about being used - anybody would have been - but he played his part in the "sad ending". I do not think I'd have stormed off the next day like he did, offering no room for forgiveness to somebody who sincerely regretted her actions.

Please click on 'reply' at the post you're responding to. Thanks.

[–] akg96-1 8 years ago

How to fight off your rival, the professor? Well, to dis' him. The Prince disrespected him & mean & heartless way for his own gain. I don't call that high class or truly royal, but just nasty & self-centered like any mindless, reactinary temper tantrum of a 2 year old. The professor had to know his place & play that role for his livelihood. He just had enough of the "royal treatment" and longed to be with the real people who were not alienated from acting from their feeling vs. doing a show of what's expected. No freedom in that. Fighting the mindless system just sucks energy, and so knowing your place isn't that bad!