MovieChat Forums > Evening (2007) Discussion > Book Reader Question: Estrangement? (Spo...

Book Reader Question: Estrangement? (Spoilers)

posted 15 years ago by Fleur_de_lis
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A question for those who read the book:

I gather from other posts that Harris was engaged in the book, and that's why nothing came of Ann's relationship with him.

But here's my question: In the film it's clear that Ann and Lyla haven't seen each other for years, and that her daughters don't even know who Harris or Lyla are. They have to tell each other about their families, so it seems that they haven't been in touch. People don't generally lose complete touch with their bridesmaids. What was the explanation for why they stopped speaking? Did Lyla blame Ann for Buddy's death somehow? It didn't make a lot of sense. Thanks for your help.

[–] joanre101 15 years ago

In the book Ann and Lila are not estranged. They vacation together along with their husbands. As Ann lies dying, Lila's daughter visits and refers to Ann as "Aunt Ann" and says that Lila wishes they could be there but she was having mobility issues that would not allow her to leave the house.

[–] Fleur_de_lis 15 years ago

I wonder if it was the filmmakers' intent to imply that they didn't speak because of Buddy, or if they just chose not to fill that gap in the plot.

So they aren't even reunited at the deathbed? Good grief. I wonder why these changes were made for the film. They don't seem to enhance the story, from the little that I know of the book.

Thanks for your help. I will have to watch the commentary, if there is one.