Either I missed it or it was not explained, but what happened that Annie's daughter is living in Europe and knows nothing at all about her mother's true circumstances? How long has her daughter been away? How long has Annie been living in these conditions?
shareI think Apple Annie sent her daughter to school in Europe. Her friends on the street scrounged up the money to send to her daughter so she could attend there and live a better life than she could with Annie in New York.
She probably attended boarding school.
The reason why the daughter has no idea of Apple Annie's poverty is because Annie lied to her daughter, so her daughter wouldn't be concerned about her mother and instead have a good life. She would receive and send correspondence through a hotel, and the people working there helped her out in that regard. Even though there were many lies, it was all meant to be a very selfless act.
I haven't seen this movie in a while, but I'm pretty sure there's also a reference (subtle maybe, but still...) to the fact that there was no father, so to speak. I think Annie wanted her daughter to have a better life but also to protect her from that unfortunate fact.
shareYes she does come out and says a bit softly near the end...."I was never married" to the judge when wondering how to get out of her fix....but that was about it. Agree the relationship was never discussed how she got to Europe and etc, didn't bother me though.
My Life http://www.nga.gov/feature/artnation/vernet/index.shtm
We're told Louise was in a convent in Spain and that she was supported by contributions from Annie's friends and customers. This must date to very soon after Louise was born. Presumably Annie could lie to the nins as easily as to her daughter. She'd send Louise to Europe because it was much more difficult for Louise to get in touch with her so Annie didn't have to change her life.
shareI'm curious how Apple Annie thought she could keep up the ruse now that her daughter is a married adult. After all, Louise's husband is Spanish aristocracy and thanks to Annie, now knows a lot of big wigs in New York. What's to stop the couple from visiting New York regularly?
No two persons ever watch the same movie.share
I was thinking that also. I guess they didn't think it mattered, because the movie was over.
I think this film would have been a lot better had they developed Apple Annie more, then did an Eliza Doolittle-type makeover on her through several scenes. It's too abrupt when she goes from gutter to glam, and then we still have half of the movie to see whether she can keep her secret at the ball. At that point, who really cares?
A faked-up death notice for Annie could be inserted into any NY newspaper, and a copy sent to Spain for Louise. The details could include mention of cremation and ashes scattered at sea, so no grave to visit. Louise would then really have no reason to visit NYC.
"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's LIVING!"
Captain Augustus McCrae
Yes, I also thought that was a hanging plothole. I love the movie, but it was a bit of a stretch trying to fill in how the child of a baglady made it into a Spanish convent. Might have been more interesting if they had filled that in.
_______________________________________
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??!!"
Maximus Decimus Meridius