The two lead actors only had 10 year age difference but I believe Maxim was supposed to be much older than Mrs De Winters. The Maxim character was supposed to be much more mature that's why he called Mrs De Winters as a "Kid" numerous times. However I never got that "Mature" vibe from the Maxim.
shareIf I remember correctly from the book, Maxim was around 42 and the Mrs. was 21.
shareJoan Fontaine was 23 at the time so its very believable that she could be 21. However Laurence Olivier was 33 (probably even younger at the time of filming) and he could easily pass for someone in his late 20s. Yet he was playing someone who was 42, which I didnt really buy. I still loved his performance though.
shareI never thought Olivier was too young for the role. I think if they followed the book more closely and had Maxim constantly belittling Mrs D as a mere naive child, Olivier would have been too young to pull the character off. However they really toned down that aspect of his character in the film, it was still there but not nearly as emphasised. Which is why I feel Olivier fit the role.
shareRegardless if they toned downed that aspect, the character was supposed to be an older man. Olivier was still playing a 42 year old not someone in his early 30s.
shareI agree. While good, I think he is a little young for this part. The Olivier we see in 1952's melodrama CARRIE (also produced by Selznick) is the perfect age and physicality for Maxim. Google pictures of Olivier with Jennifer Jones in CARRIE and you will see what I mean.
shareAgree! As a L.Olivier fan I've always thought that he had the perfect Maxim de Winter look when he filmed CARRIE
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Books and movies are two different mediums. What was in the book obviously wasn't in the movie, and as far as I can tell there isn't necessarily a reason for him to be forty-years in the film.
share> What was in the book obviously wasn't in the movie
Agreed, Hygro -
Considering that Olivier was in his early 30's, a 10 year difference is certainly enough for his character to be older, "wiser," and more cynical than Fontaine's character, who had just entered her 20's and had lived a pretty sheltered life before that. There is no need for him to be old enough to be her father - simply more worldly, and more battered by his life experiences before he met her, in all her innocent outlook.
Meh it doesn't matter what age Olivier was really. As long he was convincing as Maxim than that's all that matters.
You see many movies with actors playing characters much older than they really are and vice versa with playing a character much younger than they really are.
It's called acting for a reason.
Beside Olivier being slightly younger than character, does anyone take Mr de Winter is actually a supporting character?
shareHe may have only been 33 but his acting and chiselled jawline make him seem much older and more mature than Joan Fontaine.
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