MovieChat Forums > Almost Famous (2000) Discussion > Why didn't Penny love William?

Why didn't Penny love William?

posted 8 years ago by yajji
17 replies | jump to latest

I mean yeah, he wasn't overtly masculine like Russell, but it's not like he wasn't attractive. He was good looking albeit pretty young and boyish. So why didn't Penny ever settle for William? I've always thought that she often thought about him romantically, but was reluctant to love him or at least pursue him romantically because he wasn't some "mysterious" rocker nor was he famous ("famous people are just more interesting"). I was sure of this in the scene in the field when William breaks the information about the case of beer bet to Penny. He was too sweet, too caring and he treated women with too much respect, to be an object of lust for Penny but she certainly entertained the idea. Also in the airport scene in the end, it's almost like she realised what she was leaving behind.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

It assume it's because he couldn't give her any of the things she wanted. She wanted glamour, fame, travel, independence, and a life different in every way from whatever it was she'd left behind.

And William was shortly going back to high school and his bedroom in his momma's house. He didn't have anything she wanted, or wanted for more than an occasional hour.

[–] Boromir (9712) 3 years ago

Silly and good question at the same time - if it's make sense.
The fact that someone is attractive doesn't mean every girl has to fall in love with him. This's not how things works.

I think that in the airport she realized that William is the only one that care and respected her and this's the reason she felt so sad but not in a romantic way. I actually see a resemblance between William's sister and Penny role in William life they both guide him thorough rock life. According to my interpretation, Penny sees William as a brother more than a lover.

It's make more sense that woman like Penny fell in love with someone wild like Russell than a sweet guy like William. She can't fantasize about magical world or escape from reality with someone like William.

And don't forget the age difference.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

She seemed to be basically homeless, living a rackety sort of life where she just moved in with whoever would let her stay, ideally a man with money and status like Russell. A high school kid like William was shortly going to go home to his mother and he couldn't take her with him, even if she genuinely liked him she wouldn't let herself get serious about him.

That's the thing about being dependent on other people, you're not free to follow your heart ... or any other organs that might have an opinion.