I know they complement each other; one so angelic; the other so earthy. I also know it's not fair for us men, because it is always Lara's face in the candlelight, and what a face it is. And after all, Zhivago's masterwork is titled "Lara", not "Tonya".
How many of us were in our high school years when we saw this on the big screen? Julie Christie was a sensual force of nature, an engine of irresistable lushness unleashed on us. They sure nailed that casting choice.
Both ladies are lovely but I'm going to vote for the underrated and overlooked Tonya(the film's "Mary Ann"). She's so cute, loyal and sweet and has less baggage(i.e., a husband who's a mass murdering communist fanatic and an opportunistic ex-lover) to deal with than Lara(the film's "Ginger").
Up until yesterday I would have sworn that Lara was the more desirable one; she certainly is beautiful and alluring. But after my latest viewing I have changed my mind. Tonya is so innocent and faithful, and is fully devoted to Zhivago. She has loved him since they were young and fully supports him. Look at some of the examples...she saved a salami for three months waiting on him to get home. She let the fire go out of the stove and re-lit it before he got home in order to save fuel and save Zhivago worry. Despite knowing about Lara from his wartime letters, Tonya never confronted Zhivago about a possible affair, trusting him completely.
If we are considering which one Zhivago should choose, I say he should stay with his wife. As admirable as the good doctor is, being unfaithful to Tonya is unacceptable.
I'm not saying Lara is undesirable, just that Tonya is more so. As far as looks go, she's very attractive herself. Give me Tonya (and Mary Ann, for that matter) any day.
I always thought the casting was upside down. Chaplin has an angelic face and an inherent sweetness that I believe works more as a muse than Chrisite. Christie is pure lust, but Chaplin is what the heart desires.
This is one of the small things that I didn't like about this otherwise excellent movie. Whatever about the casting (I do like Julie Christie - love Don't Look Now - but Geraldine Chaplin was beautiful too), I never got a sense of why he kept leaving Tonya for Lara) She seemed a much more pleasant character, a better & more loving partner. They had a child togetherr. They seem to have been through more together...
It reminds me of Fatal Attraction. Fatal Attraction mini-spoiler Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler I've no idea why Michael Douglas's character would cheat on his wife with Glenn Close (or her character)
And we never get to see what happened to Tonya in the end. Like she never mattered. I spent all the time hoping he'd not cheat on her, then always go back to her.