MovieChat Forums > Anna Christie (1930) Discussion > Good movie

Good movie

posted 17 years ago by severine999
4 replies | jump to latest

I really liked this movie. I felt it dealt very much with men's ideals of women and their perceptions as to what a 'good' woman and a 'bad' woman is. This was embodied in a small way by Marthy and Anna having to be in a separate 'ladies lounge' part of the bar. No good woman would want to pull up to the actual bar, right? They were literally being kept in their place. I also couldn't believe Matt seemed to think Anna on some level must have enjoyed her time at the whorehouse, because well, bad women must, musn't they? That's why they do that job, right? Because a good woman would never do it, no matter how desperate she may be. And the whole 'but you look like such a good girl' thing! As if bad girls have some kind of mark or something on them. It was as if women couldn't be that complex, only one thing or another. And Anna bought this boatload of crap too! She felt she wasn't good enough for Matt, never mind that he had obviously spent a lot of time doing who knows what with all sorts of unsavory types--that was O.K. because all guys do that, don't they? It doesn't touch them, but look how tainted Anna became in Matt's eyes when he realized she knew Marthy, and the look of revulsion on Chris and Matt's faces as Anna finally told them the truth about her life and the things she had been forced to resort to to survive. There was just so much in this movie that revolved around this theme of 'good' and 'bad'.

There are still so many men that believe this idea that there are women one marries and women one just plays around with. Media, movies and television don't help with dispelling this outdated notion, either.

I also thought it interesting that the sea was always referred to as being female, and a cruel, tricksy, merciless one at that, one that lures in and brings ruin to helpless good men. It's all her fault they ended up that way!!

In other notes, this was my first Greta Garbo film. It was great to finally see someone I've heard so much about over the years. Her voice was much deeper than I expected; combined with her accent, I found her as fascinating to listen to as to watch. Also, my husband, who is in the Navy, cracked up at all the remarks about 'no-good sailors'. He also liked how at the very beginning of the movie, a US Navy sailor is plainly visible walking into the bar. I guess there's a lot of stereotypes about sailors in this movie too! Thank goodness neither one of us fell into believing the stereotypes--I married a sailor and he married a loud-mouthed crazy woman who says what she feels and does what she likes!

[–] anthropo 16 years ago

I didn't like it. It's one of my least favorite Garbo films. The acting is fine I just couldn't get into the story.

Sarah Palin http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/sarah-palin-what-is-it-exactly.html

[–] mdonln 10 years ago

At first I kept wondering what the heck is with this movie. The first half hour or so was really hard to watch. I kept debating; should I stick with it or end the torture now before I invest more time and regret it later? Should I fast forward to see if something good is on the horizon?

As usual I hadn't read anything about the movie so I was flying blind. I didn't even know until later that this was Garbo's first talkie. I had just finished watching and enjoyed Ninotchka so I decided to stick with it. It turns out I liked the movie a lot and am glad I stuck it out.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] mdonln 10 years ago

My apologies, I responded to the post title without really reading what you'd written. Now that I've read it, I have a few thoughts.

severine999 says > I felt it dealt very much with men's ideals of women and their perceptions as to what a 'good' woman and a 'bad' woman is.

I couldn't disagree more with your comments here. I think there really is such a thing as a 'good' and 'bad' woman. Most people can easily explain the distinction but for some reason a lot of people want to pretend they don't understand it. The distinctions also apply to men though not as dramatically perhaps and we are talking about women so I'll stick to that. Yes, it is a judgment call that some people make but being able to tell the difference matters.

A good woman is one a man would be willing to marry, have children with, introduce into his family, and not only be proud but also comfortable being seen with in public. This may sound harsh but it's true.

By default, women who do not fit into the good category fall into the bad one. Men are happy to associate with bad women. They'll gladly spend money on them, spend time with them, take them certain places, and even claim to love them, but the only thing they really want from these women is carnal pleasures, sex; and they know they'll get it. These women are not very discerning or particular in who they choose to associate with.

This was embodied in a small way by Marthy and Anna having to be in a separate 'ladies lounge' part of the bar. No good woman would want to pull up to the actual bar, right? They were literally being kept in their place.

You misunderstand the purpose of having a separate ladies entrance and section in the bar. You talk as if it's something men came up with to 'keep women in their place' but I'd bet you're wrong. It's likely something women and/or the management of the bar want. Men go to the bar to drink and let loose. Lowered inhibitions tend to lead to bad behavior. Coarse language is used, insults are hurled, fights break out. It's not a safe place for women. Respectable women don't want drunken men all over them getting fresh and propositioning them. The other type of women are not desired in the bar because they draw customers away, attract police and may be the cause of fights between the men. Women who want a drink would get to do it in peace. 'Those' kinds of women would have no desire to be in that part of the bar so it would tend to be peaceful, dignified, and civilized.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] mdonln 10 years ago

Continued...

severine999 says > Anna bought this boatload of crap too! She felt she wasn't good enough for Matt

To her credit, Anna felt the need to be honest with Matt about her past. A lot of people may say she didn't have to tell him and should not have but I disagree. She loves him and knows for him to really love and accept her he has to know the truth. What kind of relationship can there really be when people lie and keep secrets?

You say Anna buys into the 'boatload of crap' but it's not a matter of buying into anything. Whether or not we choose to believe in, agree with, or accept something makes little difference. Some people act as if we can simply refuse to accept what we don't agree with about the world but it's not true. Some things are, as 'they' say, what they are. We can neither change them nor wish them away.

he had obviously spent a lot of time doing who knows what with all sorts of unsavory types--that was O.K. because all guys do that, don't they?

One of those basic truths is this: men and women are not the same and, in the scheme of things, we play very different, distinct roles. By our nature, women are the stabilizing force in society; we keep things from spinning out of control. Men are the ones who push the boundaries; make things happen. They have to take big chances and major risks. Using a car analogy, men are the accelerators; we are the brakes. They serve opposite but complementary functions; both necessary for the proper operation of the vehicle. If either fails in their role, there will be problems.

You say Matt was doing 'who knows what with all sorts of unsavory types' but isn't that thanks to women like Anna? She was out doing the same. You talk as if there's an unfair double standard yet you see that Anna's past is a source of shame and distress for her long before she mets Matt. It's the reason she told her father she was a nurse. She never claims to have chosen that lifestyle willingly. She blames men. The rape was not her fault but being a prostitute definitely was.

Many women are quick to claim desperation and destitution as the reason they turn to prostitution but isn't it just the easy and convenient way out? They have what men want and are willing to accept payment for it yet they blame men or society or both. Naturally there are those who may not require payment but get upset when men continue to take what they're giving freely and offer nothing in return. Oddly, even the women who say it is their choice get upset when anyone calls them out for being what they are.

There are still so many men that believe this idea that there are women one marries and women one just plays around with. Media, movies and television don't help with dispelling this outdated notion, either.

It's hardly an outdated notion but I can see why in this age of 'anything goes' some people would want desperately to believe that it is. A lot of people sell themselves short. Those who devalue themselves and have no standards are willing to accept pretty much anything. Beggars, as the saying goes, can't be choosers. If you don't feel you have much to offer; if you don't value yourself as a person, you will take what you can get. People these days may accept, even embrace, things that go against nature but, ultimately, nature always has the last word.

I also thought it interesting that the sea was always referred to as being female, and a cruel, tricksy, merciless one at that, one that lures in and brings ruin to helpless good men. It's all her fault they ended up that way!!

Yes, they're admitting their overwhelming desire yet inability to control it. They associate it with a woman because the feelings are very similar. The sea, like us, is part of nature and; try as we may it follows nature's rules, not man's. The difference though is the sea cannot sell itself short the way many of us do.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]