The scene betweent the casanova Italian boy and Vanessa Redgrave's character was odd. First he tries to rape her, she fights him off, then there's suddenly no hard feelings and she's taking pictures of him? It's odd.
shareShe was sophisticated enough to know that it wasn't really rape. He was just highly confident that he could have her (sexy young Italian, middle aged spinster) and in no way could she successfully fight him off if rape was what he really intended. Then regarding her photographing him, it was part of a plot she devised to make it seem to others that they HAD had sex--this would have given HER power in the sexual contest with the Uma Thurman character. Remember the scene when the Uma Thurman character saw the shirtless photos that, uh, just happened to be left out?
shareWhat I never figured out was why he found her attractive enough to try to seduce? Was there something wrong with him??
shareMaybe he just thought he could get some money out of her.
shareGet some money out of her? haha He mentioned that his family would be rich once the war started due to his father's business. Italian guys are lovers. Americans aren't so open minded to always understand that. No offense intended.
shareI wonder how well that "family getting rich" thing worked out for him? (I refer you to the movie, "The Bicycle Thief".) Hint: not so good...fascism wasn't such a good idea (make THAT a note to America), and Italy LOST the war.
Oh, regarding Italians being lovers, they have that reputation, and the Vanessa Redgrave character could have been intriguing to him. You certainly could be right about that!
Vanessa Redgrave was, and still is, a very beautiful woman! Even if she was middle-aged in the film, the young Italian could still see how beautiful she was! He was probably attracted to her regardless.
He had a much better eye for beauty & he definately wasn't as fussy & particular as that older englishman she liked (couldn't understand what she saw in him!) That old bore wanted the way-too-young-for-him Uma...
It's becoming more acceptable now, for younger men to be up front about being attracted to an older women. Lots of people would've been be very surprised 10 or 20 yrs ago, to see how men in their 20's & 30's attempt, or want to become involved in a relationship with a woman 10 to 20 yrs older than themselves.
Now it's more out in the open and even trendy! Any man with a good mind would realize that you have so many more options, or opportunities, when your playing field isn't so limited by age. rite?
I've had several younger men (10+ yrs younger) ask me out, & come on to me when i was in my 40's & early 50's. But it's men my own age that don't want to believe it for some reason. It was very flattering of course, but not as uncommon as some people think it is. : >) : >
But the big reason I adore this movie tho is the magnificent scenery....
I've always heard that French & Italian men are attracted to older women. American men seem to prefer the "barely legal" look.
shareI think these European men are attracted to all women, young & old. the age isn't the attraction as much as the final goal, if you know what i mean...American men have been conditioned by the media as to what they're supposed to be attracted to, rather than going on their instincts. so they limit themselves.
that's OK tho. Italian men aren't good to marry because they're domineering. but for fooling around, yes. French men seem a bit too particular for me. From my own personal experiences, I believe that Spanish men are the best in the world! IMO : >) : >