Why was Alma telling her story to the doctor? How did that whole section fit into the plot of the movie? While watching, my impression was that Woodcock is probably dead, and that's why she's giving this interview. But that didn't turn out to be the case. So, what's the explanation?
shareI think PT just liked the idea of Alma narrating it. Think back to Inherent Vice with Sortilege narrating. I believe PT got the idea of it from that.
Just as Sortilege narrated in a hyper meta fashion, Alma is in the same place; ergo, it may not actually be happening. It's only for the audience.
I don't think she was telling him her entire story. They were just having a conversation about him being demanding and their relationship, after the doc had examined him. I think what's shown to us and the narration is not necessarily in her conversation with the doctor. The doctor is still unaware of the intentional poisoning; in fact, I took it as he was a part of their little game with each other. In the bathroom, Woodcock says something like, "Maybe you should call that boy doctor of yours..." Alma says, "Don't you trust me?" Reynolds replies, "I do, it's just..." After an awkward silence, they both burst out laughing.
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