MovieChat Forums > The Thanksgiving House (2013) Discussion > The Unopened Letter and Why 'NO'...

The Unopened Letter and Why 'NO'...

posted 10 years ago by drippan-1
3 replies | jump to latest

At the end of the movie, Everett gave Mary the control of opening or not opening the letter for the core sample results. Her reply was 'No' which brought about the question 'Why did she say this?'.

We must look at the high point of Mary and Everett's conflict to find the answer. That highpoint is the informal meeting at the Mather's house about the law suit she filed.

When Everett walks her out, he questions her on her hostilities towards him. He then goes on to explain that the report isn't even back and that they should cross that bridge when they come to it.

That letter represents 'that bridge'. Everett gave Mary total control over the issue, forfeiting all scientific proof if he was right or wrong. He knew Mary needed that control over her property, which was far more important than what he wanted. By saying no, she is stating that she believes in Everett. It's not that she does believe it's the site but that she believes in the man who found the site.

'That Bridge' that became so important was no longer important. It was replaced by trust, respect and belief in each other which far outweighs any piece of paper.

Besides, why read an analytical report when you can swing? Wheeeeeeeee!!

[–] ldddhunter 10 years ago

It was obvious that they were falling in love as well, so I guess Mary thought that was more important AND she believed in him - deep down she probably knew that Everett did in fact find everything he searched was right. It also got her to start forgiving her father after so many years, which the creepy bf could careless if she ever made up w/him or not. I enjoyed the movie - but really wanted the letter open for my own selfish reasons (lol) - They had great chemistry the two lead actors.

[–] drippan-1 10 years ago

I thought about putting that they were falling in love but I didn't have the proof. I took the kiss as a 'Happy Thanksgiving' with them undecided what to do next. Some of the problems they are still left with is Mary's job/place in the city. Her using the house as a weekend getaway but is that every weekend? His small existence in Plymouth while she lived in a larger world.

To me, the movie left a lot of opened ended questions and not just Mary/Everett's relationship. Will the core sample ever be open (I hope not), Rick's rampacious attitude, Ashleigh's need to stir up trouble and her relationship with her dad.

[–] Heroforsale1959 8 years ago

I have seen this movie a couple of times now, both streamed and on the "movies24" channel in the UK and neither of them showed the scene you mention.

After the Thanksgiving dinner in myversion, Everett listened to Mary's impassioned speech about tearing down the house, then he showed her the plaque he had commissioned to commemorate the site. Now in the shot of him walking up to Mary, you clearly saw the letter, and it certainly seemed unopened, but the scene makes much more sense than the one you describe as being in the version you saw.

Why, you ask?.

Simple. Everett by commissioning the plaque design he shows to Mary is in itself saying that the site is confirmed as THE Thanksgiving site, so giving Mary control of the letter is irrelevant. For him/her to place such a plaque would surely have to have at least local government sanction(in the UK it would certainly need official blessing by one of the historical government bodies) and to do so would have to have serious scientific proof as to the claims veracity.

(Yeah, I know its only a movie, sue me....)

I think the version I have seen would play better, but will search out your version OP to compare it to.

Edit.... Both versions I have seen have been shown under the title "Legally Tender"....

Si vis pacem, para bellum