The big question the film leaves you with

***SPOILER ALERT*** Do not read unless you've seen the film.

Did Edward have "carnal knowledge" of Heloise? No. Edward comes on to Heloise in the moss loft (or whatever) and she clearly rejects him, albeit respectfully. Later, during the big blow-up, he informs his brother-in-law, Morris, that he had sex with her because Morris was his rival for the estate, but it's A LIE. We know this because Heloise plainly declined his advances. So why did Edward lie? Evidently to stick-it-to his rival and cause the ensuing marriage problems. It was also his way of getting back at Heloise for (gently) rejected him. Bear in mind that on no occasion was Heloise guilty of improper conduct; she's almost godly and even rebukes Edward's hypocrisy at the dinner table, albeit subtly. Edward's lie was a very ignoble thing to do and it made me lose respect for him, but it was the result of his pent-up frustrations. Thankfully, he later humbly repents, to which his wife forgives and they go on to blissful matrimony.

I hope he apologized to Morris and, especially, Heloise as well.


My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/