MovieChat Forums > You've Got Mail (1998) Discussion > The one part that irks me

The one part that irks me

posted 10 years ago by purplenad2004
4 replies | jump to latest

I get it's all about Kathleen changing and all but I hate when Joe explains not being able to understand why she could forgive "this guy" for standing her up but not forgive him for this one little thing of putting her out of business. That's not a little thing, you've messed with someone entire life and left someone to wonder how she will care for herself along with her employees that are now out of jobs.

Some guy standing me up will make me angry and hurt but being stood up doesn't ruin a normal person's life. He also apologized for standing her up.
He never really actually said, "I'm sorry for having to put you out of business and possibly ruining your life" although he did work to make amends over the course of time between the close of her business and him revealing himself to her.
So she does eventually forgive him but I just thought that line was weird and makes me cringe whenever I watch the movie.

[–] def_jeff 10 years ago

I've always assumed that, "...little thing of putting you out of business." was not meant to be taken seriously by Kathleen. His tone and manner come off as someone saying "I know I did a horrible thing to you, but please forgive me." That's why there's a pause in the middle of the sentence, and he trails off.

That's how I take it, anyway!

[–] LarryBrownHouston 10 years ago

He was being facetious when he called it a "little thing." He knew how huge it was for her and wasn't trying to deny that.

His statement was sincere in the sense that he admitted to "putting her out of business" and asked her to forgive him. It was a big thing for him to admit that to her. He admitted he did it and asked forgiveness, that's as close to an apology as possible, and also made spoken out loud what he had clearly been doing but now was saying it in words, courting her and wanting to break through the barrier that had been artificially imposed on them by the business situation. I'm tearing up just thinking about his spoken heartfelt admission that he, basically, loved her.

How is it ruining her life that she was worth $350k gross/year a few months ago and now he's offering to make her richer than she ever dreamed?

Plus the line is amusing to us, the viewers.

[–] crystalenia1989 10 years ago

I think he wants to see if Kathleen is still holding a grunt at him about putting her out of business. Because if she hadn't been over that fact they couldn't possibly be together. She would be holding that against him and I can only imagine how the meeting with "NY152" would carry out.... She would probably be even angrier and would receive his "trying to be a friend" attempts as "make Kathleen look like a complete fool"....

Also in another aspect you can say that he's trying to apologise. And I think that this is as good as an apology he can provide without blowing up his disguise...

[–] JR541 10 years ago

He knew it was a big deal. He also knew that things were looking up for her and could see that she was going to be a success so when he says it he knows that maybe putting her out of business was a blessing in disguise for her.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?