The US version seems to have serious holes in the plot; I think I heard that what was released here was heavily edited, at least as far as what might really have happened between Edward Nathan and Sara from Brighton: did they or didn't they?
Does any know? IOW, has anyone seen the European version?
I have seen both versions and there is no direct indication that they did or they didn't, apart from some flirtation, but one is able to assume that he was able to resist Sarah, being too deeply in love with his wife to cheat on her. However, the Edward/Sarah 'renunciation' scene is a bit ambiguous, and I can believe that they may have had a one-night stand at least, before loyalty to and love for Margaret dragged Edward back to fidelity. *****SPOILER*****He declares that he was not unfaithful to Margaret, as she does re him, but she is lying, having had a fling with the dentist, and he may be lying too. But if so, the film allows this fidelity hiccup not to destroy the marriage of two lovers.
As for the editing / censorship, it appears to be mainly of nudity. In the European version, Edward appears briefly full frontal, whereas in the US version, it is his naked rear that is reflected in the bedroom window as he undresses for bed. Margaret's research work in France leads her to have fantasies of naked men, and she seems to be working in a convent whose garden is populated by statues of naked virile males! In the American version, I seem to recall that there are less of both varieties, rather more in the European.
I don't think they slept together. Sarah persued him too hard. If she were sleeping with him, she wouldn't have been so hard on his tip. Now the Corbin character, I believe she slept with. I mean, he was looking down her dress in the opening sequence. Then they just 'happened' to arrive at the going away party for Margaret together. "look who I ran into at the elevator" yeah, right. And the 'so are you' comment at the cafe was very cryptic. Some people have said that the 'there is one every year' means Edward had been cheating for years. But I didn't get that from this comment. I think it means that there is a crush on him every year. Every year he has to beat them off with a stick (which is truly believable).
I loved Jeremy Northam in this movie, but then again, I am a fan. I, however, couldn't figure out what was so wrong with him that Margaret wanted to cheat on him. I can understand her feeling she hadn't lived. That she'd gotten married before experiencing the world. But do you hurt a wonderful man, just to see if the grass is greener on the other side? Why he took her back, thinking she had slept with another man and knowing he could have gotten Sarah, wasn't quite explained to me.
I dont think they slept together either. And remember that it is just Sarah saying "there's one every year" - why do we have to think she is omnicient? She not even been in the US for a year. I think she just thinks that this is how it is supposed to work at the University.
I think we were supposed to be sympathetic with Margaret marrying the first man that she slept with who also became here mentor. She needed to 'discover some things' for herself. What I could not understand was what he saw in Margaret. But that is mostly because I found Parker Posey's portrail of Margaret so unappealing. I think a character that was supposed to be smart, cute and a little wacky came off as stupid, unattractive, and very antisocial.
On the other hand - Jeremy Northam was great in this movie. I wish he would get cast in another rom-com.
Jennie
As the writer/director I can let you know exactly what was cut:
the football scene was longer and full frontal
edward has a full frontal scene
margaret's adventures in france were more fruitey and included her singing a rather baleful 'secret love' on the night she can't get hold of her husband.
the movie was much more idiosyncratic and was tailored in a neater package for the us release (of which I am less fond).
there was a lot more st. etienne music, too, which gave it a quirkier feel throughout...
I just watched this movie on Showtime and loved it. After watching it a second time I did get a feeling there may be a longer version so I'm glad to hear there is. However, I looked for it at Netflix and found it unavailable. Will it be out in DVD?
Rob
I hate the censorship here in America, it's ridiculous! It really bothers me when I have to pay the cable bill every month. It's extremely expensive because I get the premium channels. Almost a hundred dollars and it's full of commercials! And it's not like these 'premium' channels aren't dirty either! It's full of softcore porn and 'real' sex. There's this one show (Cathouse:The Series) that is practically an informercial for prostitution making it look like a swell job. But yet this delightful film is cut up! It's not like there aren't parental controls on cable boxes! I wish someone would tell me what I could do to end this nonsense! I'm an adult!
Cousin Cheryl, I don't think the family REALLY knows you.
Are the German and Spanish DVDs both the same (ie uncut) as I'm out to grab this imminently :o)
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