What do you think will happen to Cathy and Jamie? Because I felt so sorry for Cathy watching this movie, Jamie'll be fine, he's a successful single writer, plus he can bed as many women as he wants without feeling guilty now.
shareIf you think that the divorce was simply about Jamie wanting sex, then you missed the point. The sex was to fill a void. Perhaps Jamie will pursue a relationship with Alise. But in any event he's not suddenly free from gilt just because he's not married to Cathy anymore. Feelings of guilt can last.
shareI like to think that they came back together later on. Somehow.
I have never seen the musical, so I don't know about it. But, in the movie, I think they gave up a bit too easily. I don't think we saw enough to justify the end. I think they were a very cute, very young couple. But I think they are in love. They just need to figure things out.
The stage version ends exactly as the film version. And the film really doesn't deviate much from the source material, with the exception of Jamie cheating with multiple women and the director siding heavily with Cathy.
I think we see a few times how they tried to support each other, but they were both really focused on what the individual wanted. In The Schmuel Song, we hear how Jamie is VERY supportive of Cathy's acting career, and visiting her on multiple occasions in Ohio. The director CLEARLY shows us how Cathy attends many functions with Jamie to support his career. Yes, they loved each other, and tried to make it work.
I really didn't like how the director chose to have Jamie cheating with multiple women. In the stage version, we really are only aware of one. And we almost get the impression that he has started a relationship with her. This shows us that he isn't just driven by sex, her really does want companionship. Unfortunately it just didn't work out between them.
I would suggest really listening to the soundtrack, maybe with the lyrics in front of you, clearing your head of what the director has SHOWN you. Jason Robert Brown does a FANTASTIC job of telling this story through the music alone.
I have listened to the music, and that is how I interpret things. You don't need to suggest that I'm over-looking or missing something. I think that there isn't enough conflict shown to support a total desperation. That's my opinion, though. You don't need to assume that yours is better or right. Maybe, YOU need to go listen to the music again.
Geronimo
I never assumed my opinion was right or better, I simply presented arguments that support my opinion against yours. Its quite alright that we don't agree! I have been listening to this musical for about 12 years, seen many different productions from many points of view. And my opinion of either party's guilt has changed many times.
And who knows, they may have been able to get back together, but I don't think either of them really wanted to change anything to make it work, so it would have been short lived. They stated that they wanted to make it work, but there is no evidence that either were willing to really compromise.
I apologize if my post came across as anything other than a friendly discussion about the movie/musical :)
Seeing as the story is at least partly inspired by the composer's own failed first marriage, I'd say it was not his intention to leave the suggestion that Jamie and Cathy might get back together.
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