I mean, jeez, his life gets saved and when he recovers it doesn't appear that he does any work to repay these people, even seems mad about having to just peel some potatos!
I think Ursula should have dragged him back to the water and chucked him in!
You know, I have to agree with you. I am sooooo tempted to add this to my list of favorite films, but then I'd be being dishonest with myself. B/c I hated the ending, and like you, I thought the boy seemed like a bit of an upstart, a bit of a shallow jerk.
But, at the same time, I can't help but love this film because of the sisters, the fact that it shows love really has no age-limit, and the scenery. OMG, that scenery!! I'm not sure I've seen lovelier in my life! As boring as this film may have seemed to the viewer, it must have been like heaven to be a part of! And, I have a little crush on Maggie Smith, so I was willing to suffer through the bore for her...
FYI: My favorite part of the film is when Judi's character bursts into tears and Maggie's character tries to soothe her. I imagine her as being just that way---a tower of tender strength. <3
"Moment by Moment" (1978), may be the most underrated movie ever! May be my fav! <3
Andrea was a complete ingrate ; I'd have asked him to leave, in short order.
shareI actually had thoughts along the same lines. I mean he wasn't terrible, but he just seemed a bit spoilt and a stranger to hard work, like the potato scene you point out. I think the companionship he offered was repayment enough, and they probably wouldn't have him doing that especially when he was still recovering.
shareHe was recovering for some of the time. After that, he was giving the sisters exactly what they wanted; his companionship
shareI love some of the comments people make about films like this. I'm sure you would be thrilled if some old battleaxe roped you into peeling potatoes. He doesn't try to be awkward, it's just there's a language barrier.
shareLanguage barrier? Talk about spin!
There is no language barrier to show gratitude and good manners.
I too felt that Andrea was somewhat unappreciative of what was being done for him. As I think more of it I believe it may be from his upbringing. He said he had been playing since the age of five and obviously was quite talented. Most likely he has always been treated special because of that and was a bit spoiled. I don’t approve of his behavior but sometimes that’s just what comes with talent.
shareYou know, when I first visited this board I said somewhere on the thread that I thought Andrea was rude as well. And he was a bit arrogant. But watching the movie again today, I realized that more than anything, he's just too young. And with youth comes a bit of arrogance, it would seem, as well as a certain lack of self-awareness.
I did take note however, of the fact that Andrea wanted to say goodbye to the two ladies, he didn't want to leave without letting them know. But he was told he must leave fast, and so he did. But he was also courteous enough to send a letter along, so that they weren't left hanging. I was very appreciative of that part. And when he finally saw them at the concert, he did go up to them and act very pleased to see them, kissing them on the cheek and talking to them. But again he was pulled away, and the ladies told him to just go and mingle.
All in all, Andrea wasn't bad. I agree with you, when you say that his slightly arrogant attitude probably had a lot to do with the way he was raised. That, and his age. So when considering those two factors, I guess he wasn't bad at all. At least he made the ladies happy for a while.
I did get annoyed though, at the prospect that the concert meeting was the last time they would ever see them. Those ladies obviously held him close to their hearts. So, I would hope that he would have the courtesy to visit at least on holidays from that point on. Who knows, maybe you would.
Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!
I totally agree with the comment in your last paragraph. I know that current vogue endings in movies tend to leave things up in the air or left to the imagination of the viewer but to me it would have been a perfect ending to see a few years into the future and find him at their cottage. As you said, for a holiday or maybe a respite from his concert tours. In my mind that's the way it ends for me.
shareSpoilers Ahead: I really don't know if he would see them again since the scene where he is angry with them seems to imply that he realizes Ursula has feelings for him. When someone knows another has/had feelings for him/her, they sometimes feel it is better to not see the person again. For me the story ends with them seeing Andrea that last time, but she resolves to not pass up love if the right young man comes along. She has learned to not give her emotions and her heart unless the young man has the same mindset as she does, someone who already enjoys being with older people, has thought of the possibility of dating someone older. And she has learned to accept herself for the age she is and not see herself as young like she did when thinking about being with Andrea.
shareNo. He was exactly what Janet say he was and he was totally acting like what he was. Janet say to Ursula: "Andrea's a boy. That is how some immature boys act
share