MovieChat Forums > Lady Audley's Secret (2000) Discussion > SPOILERS! Lucy - villain or feminist?

SPOILERS! Lucy - villain or feminist?

posted 16 years ago by geniuswoman
4 replies | jump to latest

SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

Despite the major plot differences with the book, I actually preferred the more post modern feminist theme taken by the film, granted the film really bears little resemblance to the novel. I felt that unlike the novel, my sympathies were entirely with Lucy/Helen in the film, which highlights the limitations of a woman's choices and the abundance of freedom of for men in contrast. I was very glad of the altered ending in which Lucy ultimately attains her goal of being "comfortable" thus triumphing over Robert as opposed to living out her mad days in the asylum, while the men she scorned lived out fairy tale happy endings.

After watching this with a close girlfriend of mine, we sharply disagreed over how to interpret Lucy's character - villain or feminist. I wonder if anyone else had thoughts on this?

[–] Flippitygibbit 14 years ago

I've just finished the novel, and I would say Lucy was neither villainess nor proto-feminist, just an opportunist. She was cold and selfish, and never satisfied - fair enough that she wanted to escape the poverty of her childhood and the limited means of living as an abandoned wife and mother, but she didn't love Sir Michael and wasn't really happy, even with all her possessions and 'Lady Bountiful' persona (I didn't believe for a second that she actually cared about her father and son, she was just buying his silence and co-operation).

I did think the ending was rather pat, but then, it is a Victorian novel - and also, I rather thought Lucy got what she deserved! Lots of women are poor and neglected, but they don't get to abandon their children, kill off their wandering husbands, and then buy their way out of discovery! The character could have been written much more sympathetically, in my opinion - for instance, why did she need to fake her own death? Until Robert announced his intention of bringing his good friend George to stay at Audley Court, there was absolutely no way that George could have tracked her down as Lucy Graham/Audley. I would have understood her actions more if George had surprised her by the well and she panicked, instead of treating him as a loose end to be cut off! There was just no passion in her, apart from the hackneyed 'I AM MAD!' speeches, which made me laugh. The doctor summed her up perfectly - not mad, just ambitious. And if all else failed, why didn't she try to escape being locked up? A lot was made of how similar Phoebe Marks was in appearance to Lady Audley, given the right light and cosmetics, and yet she wasn't pulled in to rescue her mistress? Disappointing.

I would very much like to watch the adaptation, if I can do so without buying the DVD - from what you have said, the screen version seems to add another layer to Lady Audley's character. Only - not at the expense of Robert, I hope? I thought he was delightful in the book!

"Tony, if you talk that rubbish, I shall be forced to punch your head" - Lord Tony's Wife, Orczy

[–] randommovies2002 13 years ago

Lucy reminds me of Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair (book and/or miniseries, not the film version).

[–] randommovies2002 10 years ago

the screen version seems to add another layer to Lady Audley's character. Only - not at the expense of Robert, I hope?

Unfortunately, imo it was at the expense of Robert.

If you haven't seen it yet, I believe you will find it on Daily Motion.

[–] 10 years ago

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