MovieChat Forums > Brainstorm (1983) Discussion > Something to think on...

Something to think on...

posted 9 years ago by jenniferrodgers
3 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this movie many times and have enjoyed it each time. I'm a huge fan of the late Natalie Wood. I've read several biographies on her, and one of the topics covered is that of an alleged affair she was having with Walken during this film. And then the tragic events surrounding her mysterious death...with Walken being there. Some people don't think she was having an affair, but one part of this film gave me a "Red flag" vibe about it:

The scene where Karen and Michael are sitting on their bed, under the sheet. She sings him a song, which is very endearing. But then there is a the line that raised the flag for me... Michael says "Marry me." and Karen responds with "I will." Now in the movie plot, Michael and Karen are married but estranged. Not divorced, but estranged. Why then, would Michael ask her to marry him, when she already is? It's no secret that Wood and her husband Robert Wagner were indeed at a very rocky point in their marriage. They had an altercation during her t.v. film "From Here To Eternity", where Wagner accused Wood of sleeping with William Devane. Fast forward to "Brainstorm". Wood is on location with Walken in North Carolina, and Wagner in California with their kids. Wood comes home for Thanksgiving and brings Walken with her. They all go for a sail to Catalina, where a huge argument breaks out between the 3 of them, then by the next morning Wood is dead. Neither Wagner nor Walken have spoken of that night, with Walken keeping an absolute silence. And all I can hear in my head, is Michael asking Karen "Marry me." and Karen saying "I will."
I don't think it's too far-fetched of a theory, but what do y'all think?

[–] coldnaps 9 years ago

I think it was in the script and you're reading way too much into it. But that's just me.

[–] jenniferrodgers 9 years ago

That may be. But it doesn't take away from the oddness of the line, and the connection. Perhaps it's not that I've read too much into it...but that most haven't read enough into it. What can't be denied is she and Walken were close and Wagner didn't like it. Then Catalina happened, and neither man will speak about it...especially Walken.

[–] james_age 9 years ago

Very interesting observation, but I have to agree with coldnaps. I'm a huge fan of Natalie Wood myself. I've seen The Mystery of Natalie Wood, read Natasha, saw a documentary.

"One Take" Natalie wasn't much of an improviser and liked to stick to the script. So I don't see the two of them winging that scene.

I'm 50/50 on whether or not she actually slept with Walken, however I don't think she would've divorced RJ a second time in order to marry Walken, especially with the kids.

Regardless of my opinion, great observation.