MovieChat Forums > My House in Umbria (2003) Discussion > Were we supposed to like Emily?

Were we supposed to like Emily?

posted 12 years ago by FearTheNumbers
2 replies | jump to latest

I apologize if this is a stupid question. It's just that, as she is the protagonist I assume that we are supposed to enjoy her or 'be on her side' so to speak. And I know that many protagonists are somewhat flawed, but I just couldn't stand her, and I was wondering if this was just a personal thing or if it was intended that we feel this way.

As rude and dull as Tom was, I didn't understand what was supposedly so awful about him. She reminded me of those unbearable people we all put up with out of politeness, but that we secretly wish would shut up and leave us alone. She seemed to have very little self-awareness and I couldn't make myself sympathise with her at all. Surely this wasn't the director/writer's intention?

[–] lebellue 10 years ago

Emily was only that way with Tom (for a good reason). She knew she had a limited amount of time to get through to Tom. She did this out of her concern for Aimee. She used some unusual means to tell him stories of her past, tell him about himself, and attempt to open him up and find out more about him,etc. This was solely to find out what he was about. Even her trying to constantly get Tom to drink was all about getting him to loosen up so that she could get him to let his guard down. She discovered that he wasn't a very loving person, he was filled with guilt about an argument with his sister, and was taking Aimee to the U.S. with him for all the wrong reasons. After Emily discovers all this by using the obnoxious behavior that seems to have really bothered you, then she tries to convince Tom to let Aimee stay in Italy with her.....Well, it obviously worked!Thank Goodness!!

As far as her having very little self awareness...It's just the opposite. She's very self aware and also so aware of other people's emotions and motivations that she could be considered a little psychic.

You just misunderstood the movie, which was easy to do. Even I kept thinking when she was being so weird to Tom..."What the heck is she up to..Is she for real?" Well,finally I understood that she was very clever and was doing all this because of her love for Aimee and because she is a caring, loving person like her chauffeur, Quinty, told the General....

[–] Savybones 8 years ago

I loved her so it must be personal.

OH SPOILER ALERT!