If she did indeed have BPD, I think she would handle rejection from anyone in a similar fashion. My guess would be that she has restraining orders against her in the past, and former lovers thrilled to never see her again. Although it's not stated in the movie, I get the impression that she was fairly new at her current job. Perhaps she had recently moved to NYC. Any thoughts?
shareMy guess is that she faced a lot of rejection in her past. One theory is that people with BPD have such a chaotic personality that it leads to constant rejection. I mean, why would you want to be around someone like that? So that theory may be true, but I often wonder if the reverse may actually be correct: that constant rejection can lead to a chaotic demeanor. I mean, imagine if you were always getting dumped. You think after a while you might just start getting anxious and a little cuckoo?
shareRenatom - Interesting theory. Meanwhile being dumped can make them cling more tightly, causing constant drama that becomes way too intense and exhausting. Eventually the other party, even if they were in love, just cannot deal with all the chaos.
shareYes, Alex had only been in her job a few weeks when she met Dan at the book signing party. He remarks on what her involvement is with the firm and says he hasn't seen her around the offices to which she responds how she has been with the publishing company "a couple of weeks", inspiring him to remark on how he does all their legal work.
As for her past, I have reason to believe she had probably had some very turbulent relationships because essentially she had this personality flaw as you correctly state (something which caused her to lie about her father being alive and well when in fact he died of a heart attack years before as Dan was to discover from an article in her scrapbook). However the irony here is that she appears to have lied so as to not have Dan pity her. She chastises him later on in the movie by calling him a smug B*stard and says "Don't you dare pity me" yet earlier on after their weekend together she self-harms and cries inconsolably when he is leaving her.
Her character is certainly complex and she is also manipulative, demanding and clearly highly dangerous. As far as I can conclude, a man would have to be completely subservient and enjoy a dominant female to stick with her but I feel she would not be interested in such a man. As Dan himself declares on the Sunday regarding her attraction to him "Maybe that's why you love them [married men] - the fact you can't have them", or words to this effect. She seems to enjoy the chase, the manipulation but when she realised Dan was ending it she could not cope with the rejection. A woman like Alex would never find happiness because she bases almost everything on a lie.
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"
HP - Excellent response. If Alex did indeed have borderline and/or antisocial personality disorder, it would have the worst impact upon those close to her. There have been several interesting professional articles "diagnosing" Alex with those disorders. However, someone with a personality disorder does know right from wrong, and wouldn't be out of touch with reality. I definitely agree that she is highly dangerous, and would exhaust anyone in a relationship with her.
shareThank you my friend. I always appreciate a good contributor to these boards and enjoy a good discussion about FA per se!
You are correct in that even those with say, BPD do know right from wrong but struggle to control their inner demons. It is suggested that Angelina Jolie has BPD and I am a fan but whether true or not I could not say. I did read an article and posted it some time ago on here regarding the disorder that Glenn Close said she studied in order to portray her character to the most accurate. Of course, Glenn Close did not like the ending they chose and was quite adamant about it being inaccurate. I like both endings but she went along with the one we were given like a professional.
Always nice to see a fan on here and have a great evening!
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"
You are very welcome. I remember several years ago one of the movie stations showed a series entitled "Movies that Shook the World". Along with The China Syndrome, The Exorcist and others, Fatal Attraction was part of that list. In fact, iirc FA was the first film presented. It certainly deserves its place in that special category, because FA was truly a phenomenon. People discussed and analyzed the film constantly, and they still do. It really made you think about the unexpected horror that could occur when a married person participates in "just a fling".
Even though Dan was wrong in so many ways, I kind of agree with the test audiences, and prefer the existing ending. However, I do think Glenn Close was right that the other finale would be more accurate. They were all just amazing in this movie.
I too think everyone played amazing roles.
The Casting Director clearly had a good eye for talent even though there was some initial hesitation regarding Close (Not unlike when Hepburn was cast in Tiffany's). Sometimes it is good to cast an actor in a role that is out of their usual genre.
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"
HP - Oh yes, that was a very prescient call with Glenn Close. They needed her to be sexy, but an extraordinary actress. I wonder if they realized what a sensation FA would turn out to be?
I read that Truman Capote had Marilyn Monroe in mind for Breakfast at Tiffany's. As a huge classic film buff, I adore both Audrey and MM. It would have been quite a different film with MM. There are also comments on the Rosemary's Baby board that Mia Farrow wasn't pretty enough for the lead role. Since I think she is gorgeous and perfectly cast, it just shows the wide differences of opinion on movies
I agree. I think it would have been a vastly different film with MM. It's also possible it would have taken three times as long to shoot
Audrey had a less obvious vulnerability and although ditzy in Tiffany's she wasn't overly and deliberately sexy. It just oozed out of her though because of her quirky portrayal and made her somewhat of a lasting icon. I love it and have it on DVD. My mother suggested I watch it because she saw it on TV and said that the character reminded her of me (should I be flattered? LOL)
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"
HP - Oh yes, that is flattering. Ms. Golightly was charming and beautiful as played by Audrey Hepburn. That's quite a compliment. Audrey was always a special favorite of mine, with elegance, class, and that incredible voice. She spoke 5 or 6 languages too, aided the Resistance as a child in WWII, and went on to become a goodwill ambassador. I always admired her greatly, and was crushed when she died so young. But with her movies, she will never be forgotten. Two of the best are Roman Holiday and Charade.
shareWas Charade the blind character? I have seen Roman Holiday and I have an enormous canvas print of Audrey on my wall. I hope your week is going well and blessings to you my friend x
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"