MovieChat Forums > Diary of a Mad Housewife (1971) Discussion > Tina's last meeting with George

Tina's last meeting with George

posted 18 years ago by TheArchKookPetulia
12 replies | jump to latest

i only recently saw this movie and as i don't own a copy i might not be remembering this scene correctly, but i'm still a little confused about Tina and George's "break-up." The last thing she says to him is that he's sick and a closet homosexual who plays the part of a womanizer to hide his true identity. my question is, is there any truth to her assertion? i've never read the book either so i don't know how it plays out there but i thought the line was just thrown out and not considered again. is she just trying to hurt him? is it a crack on their earlier Proust argument?

[–] cconnelly1 18 years ago

I have read the book (even better than movie-highly recommend finding a copy) and I do think Prager does turn out to be gay. I think in the book, it's something Tina finds out after the affair is over, as sort of an ironic postscript to show how the affair was ultimately unfulfilling. But, my memory isn't so great these days so I can't swear to it. I am fairly certain they created that scene where she accuses him of being gay, for dramatic effect. But yes, I think he was supposed to be gay.

[–] TheArchKookPetulia 18 years ago

thanks. boy i should really find the book because that exchange definitly didn't make sense in the movie!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] prp456 18 years ago

Good news first! The book was re-printed by Thunder's Mouth Press in 2005. I love the movie, and while it's pretty faithful to the book, the book itself is even better. So much in a book like this that just can't be translated to the screen.
When they last meet, Tina tells George that she thinks she's pregnant, and he realizes before she does that she wants him to provide the funds for an abortion. She is so stunned when she realizes that this is true that she flies into a fury, and she and George end up in a physical fight. Tina's parting shot is the line, "You're sick. Sick. A latent homosexual like all Don Juans." In not quite these words he basically tells her that she'd better get out of there that minute or he'll kill her. I think that means she got it right!

[–] deanowest 18 years ago

I saw this last week. I don't think geoge is gay. i think she was just pissed at him and wanted to attack him. what better way to attack a womanizer than to hit his masculinity?

this is a great movie and deserves dvd treatment. how about a criterion box of play it as it lays and diary????? please?

[–] sonomagirl2120 17 years ago

I also read the book and agree that George is NOT gay. He is just a very cold mean man and his true colors come out when he and Tina get into a physical altercation. She fights back with words that she knows will cut him.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] kathleen28262 17 years ago

I have read this book probably 30 times, no exaggeration; I literally wore one copy out and had to find another in an out of print bookstore. This is one of the funniest and also very deep books I've ever read.

I totally agree, George was definitely not gay, just the ultra selfish domineering male.

[–] moorlock2003 16 years ago

Yes, "Diary...." is great. It needs the deluxe treatment, with both versions of the film. There was the theater version with the sex scenes and a TV version without the sex scenes but with other scenes instead. One of my all-time favorite films, without a doubt. "Play it as it Lays" is interesting too (just saw it for the first time a few years back). Frank Perry is one of my favorite directors.

[–] gosh717 16 years ago

Here is a quote from the book, where Tina hears George and Keefer's conversation at the party (Keefer speaking):

"You're also not without ambition. In fact, you're the most ambitious prick I know. Because of that, you've got to do what I told you, like it or not. Though you swing it with the broads, you can't play it both ways in THIS racket."...

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Mr. Prager said almost humbly, and took another gulp of his drink.

So how to interpret that? It does seem as though Keefer is insinuating that George is passing as straight (or is bisexual, which is more likely). Anyone have any ideas/comments?

[–] singjohn 15 years ago

He does have a vibe that we would call "metrosexual" today.

If his conversation with Keefer is to be heeded, then it would make sense why he resents Tina so much.

It's hard to feel sympathy for either one of them. They are both using one another. George, to further his masculine image; and Tina, to fill the painful void left by her husband's constant berating.

[–] singjohn 10 years ago

I would have been less surprised if Jonathan turned out to be gay. Always rambling off labels and making catty comments.