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Why does Rose agree to go to the party with Birdlace?

posted 18 years ago by chriscr-1
11 replies | jump to latest

1. He looks like River Phoenix. Let’s take that one for granted…
2. Roger Ebert argues in his review that Rose feels sorry for him and seems to imply that is the primary reason she decides to go to the party with him. He doesn’t offer another reason at all in fact.
3. I believe there’s more to it than that. It’s pretty clear to me that Rose is lonely.
a. Rose actually tells Birdlace that’s it is just so nice to have someone to talk to. (I haven’t watched the DVD is a while but I’m sure that’s the jist of what she says.) Rose also talks about not wanting to end up like her mother: concerned only about the cafe. It is clear that her mother is an important force in her life, and one in a sense she wants to rebel against. And notice how her mother talks about finding something on TV and green stamps as if it is a regular occurrence with them?
b. There is an dressing montage in the film, but instead of the clothes just not looking right as in most films I noticed that none of the clothes, Rosie’s party clothes, seem to fit anymore. It seems Rose has put on weight since she last wore them. So it has been a while since she has had them on and I don’t think I’m out of bounds in saying there is sometimes a connection between depression in general, loneliness in particular and overeating.
c. On one occasion Rose makes reference to the fact that she is bad at putting on makeup and when she first appears in the yellow dress I think I would have to agree with her on that point. Not much on its own, but in the content of the other evidence I think it might be telling of a tendency to stay in.

On the other hand the owner or manager at the Still Life Café does know her so she seems to be a regular there, but I think the time she spends there is aberrant – that she spends most of her time when she’s not working at home in her room with her music to keep her company.

Anyone think I’m on the right track here?

[–] mealex 18 years ago

Hey Chris! Interesting point of view you have there! So glad when someone refreshes this board, hopes it becomes a habbit!;)

Ok... about the topic...
Obviously, YES, I have to agree Birdlace looking like River Phoenix was definitely a major decision factor:) I mean here it is this gorgeous guy walking into her mom's café out of the blue and on top of that seeming interested in her... well, I think it's quite a tempting alternative to a boring TV night with her mother.
She is obviously shy around him, especially at first and tries to do the "right thing" and not get "carried away" with this charming stranger, prolly thinking this is too good to be true. However, the perspective of staying in another night wrapped in her "melancholia" pushes her in the last minute to accept the offer. She's over enthusiastic and puts all that make-up over her face like a little clumsy girl trying her mom's make-up.
After the dogfight, I think she's even more pissed on herself, because she had been fooled by this good looking marine who only wanted to mock her and she had feared something like that would happen. But the unexpected (in the person of Birdlace) appeared again and well, we know the rest:) That night proved to be a life-changing experience for both of them, even if none had any clue this could happen.

What do you think?:)

[–] chriscr-1 18 years ago

I don’t think, for the most part anyway, we are talking at cross-purposes. Rose’s excitement surely had a part in her...unfortunate...makeup at the beginning of the date. But as Rose and Birdlace walk to the Nightlight (is that the name of the joint?) and he tires to “ugly” her up with some makeup she does say something like “You’re about as good at putting on makeup as I am!” (Not positive on the wording of that quote but pretty sure.)

Your other point makes perfect sense to me.

You seem to be a big River fan. I have to see more of his movies I guess. I have roughly the same sort of affection for Lili's movies.

OK, time to sleep. lol

[–] mealex 18 years ago

:) Well, I'm pretty sure I've seen Lily in other movies too, because she looks familiar, but it's a blurry memory. Anyways, I can say I respect her work, I think she's a serious actress, even if my opinion is only based on her role in "Dogfight", which I love.
You've guessed right, I do admire River Phoenix a lot. Yeah, you should really check out some of his other movies. Since you've prolly seen "Stand By Me", may I strongly recommend you "Running On Empty" and "My Own Private Idaho", they're really good and his playing is excellent, you won't be disappointed.

Maybe you could recommend me one of Lily's movies you enjoy, I'm always up for a movie worth watching:)

Well, time to sleep as well - while you've prolly waken up by now, lol (opposite sides of the world?:)

[–] chriscr-1 18 years ago

It’s a small part, and you have probably already seen it, but she has a very funny small part in ‘Say Anything…’.

‘Household Saints’, ‘Arizona Dream’, ‘The Addiction’, ‘I Shot Andy Warhol’. If you can find a copy of her 'X-Files' episode that's really good too.

I’m also really looking forward to ‘Starting Out in the Evening’, which premiered at Sundance in January and should be out this year. I’ve read the book and really loved it.

I don't think opposite sides of the world. I was just up really freakin' late. lol

[–] BethH24 17 years ago

I think the actress who plays celeste in mystic river looks like lili taylor,and her voice even sounds like hers,but it isnt her.

[–] ninles 17 years ago

She is in High Fidelity as well. I love that movie.

[–] StarrySkyWaltz 16 years ago

She goes because she is lonely and she really wanted to go with him. It was her chance to finally have the fun she secretly longed to have and with somebody she found attractive. She's naturally a forgiving person but I'm sure it was easier to forgive him when he has River Phoenix's looks.

[–] ananeke 16 years ago

I understand why she wanted to go to the party, but why did she go out with him to dinner? (And the whole thing about there wouldn't be a movie if she didn't isn't an answer.)

[–] crakker_jakk 16 years ago

i think a night out with river phoenix is probably reason enuff.. as far as why she'd agree to go back out to dinner - he went out of his way to give her a sincere apology and looking back, he did try and talk her out of the party at the last minute.. it's not such a stretch that she decided to give him a 2nd chance..

[–] StarrySkyWaltz 16 years ago

She liked him from the start even if he did something hurtful to her later (bringing her to the dogfight). His apology for taking her there was sincere and she is the type of person to give second chances.

[–] gloriasara 16 years ago

He looks like River is dead on. haha.

A lot of people ask this question in regard to this movie, but I don't think going out with someone you just met is all that uncommon, when it's done in public with a lot of people around and is generally safe. I was a Yankee game with one of my best friends, when a guy our age invited us to go to a tailgate party afterward. We couldn't go, but that's beside the point--you meet people everyday, and you decide to go out on a spur. It's what life's about.

Also, I agree that Rose was lonely. When you're as socially awkward as she was, and you're not used to good-looking boys asking you out, it's exciting and you want to jump on it.