MovieChat Forums > The Competition (1980) Discussion > The scene where Lee.... (spoilers)

The scene where Lee.... (spoilers)

posted 16 years ago by Quentin36
11 replies | jump to latest

When Lee Remick jumps in slow motion after her daughter wins....so ridiculous...we luaghed so hard at that scene.

Um...excuse me, but Amy Irving portrayed Lee Remick's STUDENT, not her daughter.

[–] Quentin36 16 years ago

Either way the scene was still so bad

I know that slo-mo scenes can be tacky, but I didn't have a problem with this brief one. Lee Remick radiated such victorious joy, understandable not only because Heidi (Amy Irving) had won the competition, but because she (Heidi) had obviously put aside any thoughts of "stepping aside" for Paul (Richard Dreyfuss) and decided to give her performance everything she had. The script gave ample evidence that Greta (Remick) had come to a similar crossroads at some point in her own life, and probably had made professional decisions based on personal matters that she had regretted ever since. Her long-pent-up emotions seemed to me justifiably expressed by that leap upwards, which was more than just a "whoopee-my-student-got-the-grand-prize" gesture.

[–] Quentin36 16 years ago

You make a good point. I will agree that her reaction was justified

[–] french_horn_babe 16 years ago

Yep, I kind of guessed that Greta came to the same kind of crossroads as Heidi when she was chewing her out because Heidi was having the relationship with Paul. Especially when Greta said "Everyone has a story. but you are NOT going to hear mine." I am guessing that Greta stepped aside for Andrew, the conductor, when they were probably both playing piano at a competition (since Andrew also mentioned that he was a pianist himself). Either that or she had regretted making a decision based on a personal matter regarding Andrew and they broke up.

[–] bravehome 11 years ago

I think the Andrew/Greta relationship is clearly implied, reinforced by the look of knowing pleading in Greta's eyes when she locks them with Andrew's after he has said he isn't in the mood to play the Prokofiev.

[–] pouncemo 10 years ago

Yes, to everything he said. I loved the exuberant leap of joy. Loved everything about this film.

[–] mariadarling 8 years ago

Ugh that slow motion was awful and Lee Remick's "I'm such a progressive woman" character made me want to throw up.

[–] margaretbarnes 13 years ago

Lee Remick's jump for joy is one of my favorite moments in the film! Greta is, as Heidi points out, always "so in-command" that she stays focused and does not lose her composure. When she and Paul are backstage, listening to Heidi perform, and they exchange a look... he chuckles and looks away, and she smokes, her sly smile saying "that's right Junior, she is kicking your ass - enjoy it!" Then Heidi is announced as the winner, and Greta slowly, deliberately, almost robotically turns, walks out the stage door and then, and only then, when she is all alone, cuts it loose. I actually like the choice to present the last bit in slo-mo, as it accentuates her brief release of emotion. It's a lovely little private victory dance!

[–] jakob3 12 years ago

There is a subplot of Paleo-feminism (Remick) vs male chauvinism (Wanamaker),
played out vicariously in the younger couple, both of whom ultimately transcend their elders. Greta's leap was apropos in that context. The shocker was Paul's appearance at the end. However predictable cinematically, it would be unlikely for a "real-life Paul" to manage that.

[–] pouncemo 10 years ago

I love your analysis of Lee's jump for joy. I didn't think about the fact that Greta was noted for always being in command. In that context, it was even more meaningful that she cuts loose.

As to the sly smile for Paul meaning, "that's right Junior, she's kicking your ass..", I didn't take it that way. I took it more as pure pride and joy for the perfection of the artist and the music.

But maybe you are right...she might have been gloating.