MovieChat Forums > Annie (1982) Discussion > Annie depicts money buys happiness

Annie depicts money buys happiness

posted 9 years ago by laceejharris
10 replies | jump to latest

The moral argument in the 1982 movie Annie depicts that money buys happiness and is persuasive of that concept by showing how her life changes for the better because of money. Annie’s world turned upside down once she met Oliver Warbucks. She was treated with love, got to experience fun and exciting activities such as movies, swimming, meeting the President, and more. She also got to live in a large mansion where she didn’t have to clean one square inch. All of this was a change from what she was used to at the orphanage. Although Annie was happy and optimistic at the orphanage, she became more happy because she had "Daddy" Warbucks at her side to experience those things with her. Money itself doesn't buy happiness, but it allows people to do the things and have experiences that make them happy.

[–] NayMe 9 years ago

Well duh..!

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 5 years ago

Look @ the year this movie was made...Reagan was president, television shows like The Facts of Life, Silver Spoons, Dynasty, Dallas Webster Different Strokes were on the air

They all promoted the idea that people needed to aspire to be rich/idolize the rich--even if we were little kids. It was our duty to want to emulate the 1 percent. Being a filthy rich American was the life's goal

There's no doubt this film is a product of it's era--and it may be one reason why remakes were not as powerful. We saw that era through rose colored glasses rather than how rough it really was.

[–] Purplecover101 9 years ago

I don't think so, remember, her #1 goal was to find her parents, not to be rich.

Once she met Warbucks, she eventually began to realize that him and Grace have the wonderful mother/father figure that she wanted. The fact that she was enjoying the luxury was just extra.

Plus when she got there, the musical Number "I think I'm gonna like it here" depicted that she was mainly happy to get away from Miss Hannigan.

[–] TheInvisibleGirl1985 8 years ago

I disagree. Warbucks had everything but wasn't happy. Annie changed his life as much as he changed her's and his monetary fortune never changed at all. Annie's like changed because she found people who genuinely loved her.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 5 years ago

Annie's life changed also bc she did not have to scrub floors, wash windows, she had access to a good education and medical care.

I have thought that an actual follow up should focus on how Annie turned out since the 1930's. Like what happened to her after she was adopted....THAT would have been interesting

[–] Marquee19BL1xT (5) 3 years ago

If I were to write the screenplay for the sequel to Annie 1982 (I don't like all the other Annie films, by the way), I would do it this way:

FDR asks Oliver and Annie Warbucks to go on a nationwide mission to help the American people through his New Deal. Then her friends Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, Duffy, and July to join her in her travels and they all have a great time. They visit orphanages too and give money or other means of support to those places to help the orphans. Miss Hannigan is a changed woman now and has become the girlfriend of Punjab. Oliver and Grace gets married and Annie is very happy that she now has a mother and father. FDR visits the Supreme Court to defend his New Deal which the justices are saying that it's unconstitutional. A mysterious group of rich people who call themselves "The Wall Street Sinisters" are gatehring in a secret place somewhere in West Virginia plotting against Annie, because they deemed her as "a troublemaker" for supporting FDR's New Deal, which they believe will derail the economy and make things worse. Annie then meets Nikola Tesla when they went back to New York after their first tour in the East Coast United States and hires him to be her science adviser. He made her an electric car a month later and she couldn't be happier about it. Oliver hired 2 new bodyguards to protect Annie as Punjab and The Asp already have their hands full protecting him.

Hahaha! Just my wishful thinking.

[–] omoxus 8 years ago

It was pre F.D.R. The social changes of the New Deal pissed off the creator of Annie. He declared her dead.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] flowerchild (12) a year ago

Not necessarily! Happiness also comes with a loving family. Warbucks also realized that same lesson, that money isn’t everything and hence why he adopted Annie

[–] ewd76 (1164) 5 months ago

It's easier to be happy with money than without it.

[–] liscarkat (18373) 5 months ago

The elimination of financial insecurity most definitely creates an environment in which happiness is much more likely to be possible. Money enables happiness. Saying that it doesn't is just what people who don't have money tell themselves to feel better.