MovieChat Forums > Frasier (1993) Discussion > Daphne believable as the object of such ...

Daphne believable as the object of such idealization?

posted 8 years ago by booklady1-1
64 replies | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, Jane Leeves is and was attractive. But honestly, she's not some bombshell, to the point where most people would see her as a goddess. Niles was infatuated with her from the moment he laid eyes on her. Really her face is mediocre to me and she's flat chested, so I didn't really see how anyone could call her a goddess - I can see how men might find her attractive, but not to the point where Niles thought she was "Venus herself." I didn't think Roz was a goddess either, but she was more attractive than Daphne by far.

Someone more believable as a goddess would have been someone in the league of Sofia Vergara or Megan Fox (yes, I know they would have been way too young to play that role in the run of the show, but I mean someone in that league looks wise).

Anyone agree?

[–] blakgard 8 years ago

Jane Leeves was amazing. Daphne in her mom's wedding dress drives me absolutely nuts.

[–] McCartney42 8 years ago

Well you know the old saying, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"!!

[–] YvonneTVQueen (99) 6 years ago

Omg yes on the wedding dress, she was smokin in that.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

I never quite understood it myself - but a woman doesn't have to be a goddess to attract a man, and probably the fact that she was so different from Maris was part of the attraction.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] luciole2 8 years ago

Well it was only Niles who thought she was a goddess and It kind of made sense with him.

Not just Niles. Donnie was obsessed with her, too. Freddie had a huge crush on her.

I agree with the decision to cast Jane Leeves in the role. She is tall, a former dancer, and very pretty. For the show, her beauty was left in a more natural state as opposed to being overly processed or played up like Sofia Vergara's character in Modern Family. I'm sure she could have been dolled up like a bombshell, but that might undermine the sweet and quirky personality of her character.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] detroit-velvet-smooth 8 years ago

her beauty was left in a more natural state as opposed to being overly processed or played up like Sofia Vergara's character in Modern Family

That's not just the difference between the shows but the respective decades. Women's makeup was much more matte and natural looking in the 90s. You can even compare Victoria's Secret models between the two times to see the difference. Everyone looks like Vegas showgirl these days in comparison. Things were much earthier then but that was coming off of the 80s afterall.

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[–] Aafox90 (37) 7 years ago

I totally agree. None of the men who were crazy about her were really even in her league, and obviously Niles opinion of a goddess was someone beautiful inside and out.m..maybe he loves redheads!

[–] shrilltrills 8 years ago

Like others have said, it was only Niles who was so obsessed with her. Other guys seemed to see her as, like you said, just kind of more good looking in an average way. You know what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And obviously, something about her just struck him from the very beginning.

It's kind of cool actually. Even though it's just a TV show, it's kind of an example that every one of us can be the most beautiful person in the world to someone, no matter how conventionally attractive we actually are.

[–] ClayGorgon 8 years ago

Jane Leeves is attractive.

I think it's quite believable that Niles would fancy her. Daphne being British perhaps lent her an edge in his eyes.

The attraction is made far more interesting by virtue of the fact that she's not some kind of glossy super model.

So many times in movies and TV shows, a bombshell actress would be cast for us, guys, to drool over. It's become quite a cliche, really.

There is such a thing as plain beauty, and Daphne has that quality about her.

[–] Maya55555 8 years ago

Daphne is sweet, feminine, a 19th C. beauty, kind, yet tough when needed, hard working and not a spoiled, entitled brat.

"A stitch in time, saves your embarrassment." (RIP Ms. Penny LoBello)

[–] nine_inch_nailed 8 years ago

She was "the object of such idealization" for one man. Yes, it's totally believable, even more so when you consider Niles' circumstances.

________
Armchair Critic Law 38:

If a film has a plot twist, overanalyse.

[–] ClayGorgon 8 years ago

Spoilers ahead!

What I find quite amusing is how jealous Niles is of Freddie's relationship with Daphne.
Like in The Unnatural when Freddie comes to visit, and he's constantly going for these public displays of affection- to rub it in Niles' face.

Niles: Frasier, do you really think it's healthy for a little boy
to be so obsessed with a woman he can't possibly have?!

Frasier: Niles, have you actually sunk so low as to be jealous of him?

Niles: No, I'm not jealous, I'm just a bit, well... maybe envious.
Martin: That's ridiculous! What have you got to be envious of?
Daphne: [off screen ] Hold on!

Daphne runs back and forth through the room with Freddie clung to
her having a fun piggyback ride.

Freddie: Wheeeee!

Niles looks on with anger

And then in the end of the episode, Daphne picks up Freddie to give him a hug, and Freddie looks over her shoulder and puts on a sly smile for Niles, who's watching them. Niles smiles back, as he pictures himself in Freddie's place.

It's one of my favorite moments in the series.
----------------------------------------------

Some of that jealousy resurfaces in The Apparent Trap

and then , later in Cranes Unplugged where Niles and Daphne are together already

Niles: Freddie, about what you just saw - I know you've always had
special feelings for Daphne, and there's something I need to
tell you.
Freddie: I already know about you guys.
Niles: Oh. Uh, and you're OK with that?
Freddie: I liked her when I was a little kid. I'm over it now.
I mean, she's like a hundred.
Niles: She most certainly is not. It just burns you up
that I got her-

All this made me realize how much I care about the later seasons of Frasier. It's so nice to watch the shift in the dynamic of these characters' relationships.

[–] nine_inch_nailed 8 years ago

I don't think you can count a child. Still only one person.

What's more unbelievable is Daphne failing to notice the fascination.

________
Armchair Critic Law 38:

If a film has a plot twist, overanalyse.

[–] ClayGorgon 8 years ago

Yes, there's a purposely theatrical quality to Daphne's disregard of the whole thing. I think it works because the show is a farce.

Just watch something as early as A Midwinter Night's Dream in Season 1. The way Niles hovers over her, as she closes her eyes.

Or in Frasier Gotta Have It-season 5- where they're sharing stories of their love lives, and when Daphne finishes her account, Niles rises in front of everyone,barely in control, and without saying anything, slowly walks out of the apartment.

One of the funniest scenes , actually. :D

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

"It's kind of cool actually. Even though it's just a TV show, it's kind of an example that every one of us can be the most beautiful person in the world to someone, no matter how conventionally attractive we actually are."

I like that! So TRUE!

[–] Hanz-Willhelm2 8 years ago

For the most part no but the episode in which Niles went dancing with her and she pretended to be his lady, I can see how that night would amp up the way one feels about someone.

Was ist der Sinn des Lebens?

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[–] Insomniatic102 8 years ago

I have to say in several seasons she was an absolute knockout. Even if she wasn't though, people fall in love with less than models all the time, including strong sexual attractions.

Also consider how repressed and starved for attention Niles was.

[–] violatorr7 8 years ago

Jane Leeves was more attractive than Megan Fox or Sofia Vergara ever have been.

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

[–] sherpa50 8 years ago

I agree. She's naturally beautiful, not fake looking like a lot of actresses these days.

"I bet you write wonderful letters."

[–] [email protected] (5871) 7 years ago

My grandmother used to say, "There's a lid for every pot."

Daphne was very sweet and kind of quirky. For whatever reason, she appealed to Niles.

Of course being a total knockout and gorgeous can GET a woman lots of men. But to KEEP one interested, there has to be something besides looks. Think of all the beautiful actresses who have been married multiple times. Looks don't guarantee happiness. They don't automatically mean you have a great personality or are intelligent or kindhearted.

I used to work with a guy who talked about his fiance a lot. He sounded so in love with her. He raved about her. One day he brought some pictures from their vacation. She was rather plain and overweight. She had a pleasant face but definitely what you'd call a "plain Jane". But he was so crazy about her. Clearly there was something wonderful about her that appealed to him. I hope they got married and are still together and happy.