Does anyone know - how old were they supposed to be when they began their affair, and how old were they supposed to be after 26 years? I'm guessing they weren't supposed to be older than mid-fifties, but they act much older????
shareI don't think they ever say, exactly, but using deductive reasoning...
She says she was 18 when she got pregnant and now has 3 kids. I'd guess late 20's, maybe 30 (she looks older). He's been to college and hints at having been an accountant and had the client he's there to see for quite a while, also has 3 kids, I'd guess a little older, maybe early-mid 30's. The movie starts in 1951, so count up. OT, I've always thought, now that they're about the same age as they are at the end of the story, that the ending should be reshot so that we don't have to see that sort of lame aging makeup from the 70's. Hope this helps.
Yes, thanks, that helps. Fun idea about re-shooting the ending!
shareIt's never really made clear in the film but I would assume that they are in their mid 20's in the opening scene and their mid to late 50's in the final scene.
shareAlan alda says in 1977 that chalmers must be 75, and that in 1951 he must have been the same age then that they are now. If chalmers is 75 in 1977, then he must have been 49 in 1951. If alan alda and ellen burstyn are 49 in 1977, then they must have been 23 in 1951. However their chaaracters seem to be older than 49. perhaps I misheard and chalmers was 85, making them 33 in 1951 and 59 in 1977 which would make more sense.
shareBethanne, keep in mind that it was the morning after their first night spent together; he was saying that he hardly knew her (yet he thought he was falling in love with her), so he mentioned that he didn't even know if she had read the book. It was 1951, and I guess it was a much-talked-about book at the time. That's my best guess about it...
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As with many movies from the 70's, this movie is riddled with prolepses.
shareI think we need to remember (or realize, if you're younger than 50 or so) that in 1977 a person in their mid-50's DID seem older than that same person might seem today. People were not so obsessed with avoiding aging, and also didn't have the nutrition, medical technology, or even skin care that we have now.
I think the person with the deductive reasoning hit the nail on the head. (Sorry I don't remember your name, now that I'm in this reply box :-) )
This is my all time favorite movie in the whole world EVER and I bet I've seen it 15 times, including tonights broadcast.
I am glad to hear it's out on DVD. I was able to find a VHS last year and felt fortunate for that.
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