Upon watching the movie a second time, I saw it from another angle:
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michael_wallace_ellwood — 12 years ago(August 24, 2013 08:33 AM)
My wife thinks he's a bit of a cad, and led her on. I'm not so sure, but that's perhaps male solidarity kicking in.
I think he was very wrong to pursue it, and clearly he only decided to go to the cinema in order to try to get to know her better, and perhaps start an affair. It certainly wasn't a "coincidence" that he was going to the pictures.
And while one absence from duty might possibly be overlooked, his serial absences from the hospital must surely raise eyebrows. While I don't like the priggishness Steven Lynn displays about Alec bringing Laura back to the flat, he would have a right to be really annoyed that Alec has been playing truant when he was supposed to have been covering for Steven.
I thought of an alternative scenario that would not have made a very good film, but would have allowed Alec and Laura to carry on a mostly harmless flirtation, while keeping their marriages intact.
They could simply have carried on meeting for lunch together on Thursdays. Perfectly respectable. Both regularly took lunch at around the same time anyway. Not champagne lunches, of course.
Laura could perhaps have carried on having fantasies about him, but never doing anything about it. If Alec really was a cad, he probably would have made excuses and moved on in time, perhaps to pursue a nurse or something. But if he was the gentleman he seems to want everyone to believe his was, then he would also just be content to lunch with a charming and attractive woman, enjoy some good conversation, and then go back to the grind at the hospital with at least something to smile about. -
soleil_9992000 — 12 years ago(October 08, 2013 01:14 PM)
I believe Laura's husband suspected that something apart from the usual routine had occurred with his wife, but I don't think he was certain about what had occurred.
I didn't interpret Alec as a "cad." I think that he was drawn to Laura because she had a genuine sweetness about her. Yes, the physical attraction was present for both parties, but I think there was a bit more to it, even if it wasn't "true love." They enjoyed each others company. I don't think the doctor targeted Laura. I think the attraction between them was accidental and unexpected.
I think Laura made the right decision in not having an actual affair with Alec. I think she realized that she had a pretty good life with her husband and she did truly love him. She was tempted by another man who made her feel pretty and desirable. Sometimes when people have been married for a long time they tend to take each other a little bit for granted, even if they really do love one another.
Since we never see Alec's wife or see him interact with her, I suppose his marital relationship and motivation is open to the audience's interpretation. -
Clothes-Off — 12 years ago(November 07, 2013 10:51 AM)
I can see how viewing it with 2012 eyes might result in the OP's interpretation, but in 1945 I believe the point was to show that this could happen to anyone, not just "cads" (male or female). It's probably why these particular actors were cast as well.
I know this wasn't the first film to deal with the subject matter, but I think this story stands out because so many people can see it happening to them.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns -
arthursoundtracksunlimited — 12 years ago(March 15, 2014 01:14 PM)
I find most of this speculative moralizing here on this thread somewhat amusing but largely irrelevant. The only meaningful question one might ask (and I suppose the original poster has a definite affirmative but rather absurd answer to) is whether either of the two main characters had ulterior motives for their expressed feelings for one another. All of the evidence points to an unequivocal NO! Regardless of their other committed relationships when they fell in love with each other THEY FELL IN LOVE! The fact that one doesn't subtract from the other is the whole point of the story and what both characters struggle with, and desperately try to reconcile. BOTH selflessly sacrifice for others at the end. The Dr. only puts his hand on her shoulder and he's a cad? She contemplates suicide but doesn't fully reciprocate his feelings? Did I watch the same picture as most of you did??!!
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Jason_Radley — 11 years ago(March 03, 2015 02:30 PM)
I think the husband is the villain here. He's married to one of the most scrumptious pieces of posh totty in Britain, and they're sleeping in separate beds!? Is he impotent, a homo or what? There's a key line that no-one else seems to have commented upon: Laura, lying in her bed, looks over to her husband's: 'That week was misery; I went through it in a sort of trance. How odd of you not to have noticed that you were living with a stranger in the house?' You can't blame the doctor for wishing to prescribe her a weekly course of injections.
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AmyLouise — 9 years ago(June 26, 2016 09:17 PM)
Regarding the twin beds: At that time, the Hayes Code in Hollywood insisted on even married couples sleeping in separate beds. For the film to obtain a US release, any British film would have to follow the same code. It has nothing to do with Laura's relationship with her husband.
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whostercogburn — 11 years ago(March 28, 2015 01:33 PM)
I think the first angle you watched this film from was better! It does read like a bit of a conspiracy theory type article, and I don't think there's much to support your claims. Laura's husband was totally oblivious to the whole thing right up until the final scene, and by thanking Laura "for coming back to him," made it very obvious to the audience that he knew something was going on. In all the previous scenes featuring Fred, he was always very charming, attentive and supportive of Laura. No man who suspects his wife of having an affair could behave in such a relaxed and nonchalant manner.
The only time I'd accuse Alec Harvey of being a bit of a cad was when he invited himself to join Laura at the movies. That was a bit naughty I agree, but it would've have ruined the film somewhat if he didn't! -
suzanne-lawson1 — 9 years ago(July 14, 2016 04:05 PM)
I agree. I think the Dr was only after one thing and didn't really love her. He probably would have dumped her after he had what he wanted. Maybe that would have been better than her living in a fantasy of an imaginary life together which wouldn't have really happened.