Could a relationship between Stevens and Miss Kenton have worked? He was so repressed with his emotions by training and background. She seemed unable to tell him explicitly how she felt about him in that typical British way. How the hell could this work? It was a romance that was doomed before it ever began.
Doubtful. She was much better off without him. It's very difficult to change people, and he was cold and emotionless.
shareHe was the gentleman of the film not the man he was contracted to serve. No one ever understands a true gentleman.
He was opening up to her through the work. But she was impatient. She tried to make him jealous with the other man but it backfired on her.
Unfortunately, he was a sad character - an empty shell of a person who didn't know how to live. He lived entirely vicariously through his "gentleman" boss, and wouldn't allow himself to have opinions or close relationships, even with his own father. Miss Kenton did try to open him up, but she eventually realized that he was a hopeless case and she moved on.
I don't think she was trying to make him jealous, she just wanted to be married and have a family.
She was trying to make him jealous. And when it didn't work, she made that nasty comment about her and Benn making fun of him. Not only that she jumped at Benn who took advantage of her rather than work with the man she really loved.
The sad character was Kenton not Stevens. She knew she made the wrong decision that was why she was crying. But she went through with it.
I disagree wholeheartedly, but this is one of my favorite films and I've watched it a million times and ready the book, so I love to discuss it!
She was crying because she had a broken heart. Stevens broke her heart because he didn't have one to give.
What do you mean he had no heart?
He is clearly holding back tears when they are sitting at that arcade. The part where people clap when the colored lights go on.
This confused woman wanted Stevens to force himself on her just the way Benn forced himself on her during their first time alone together. He refused to do it because he is a gentleman.
She did it again at the end. She wanted Stevens to beg her to go away with him. But since she was expecting a grandchild in her family, he stepped aside.
That was why she was hysterically crying on the bus when it drove away. She knew she fudged up her chance with him for the final time.
Stevens broke her heart because he didn't have one to give
That was a moving scene but I’m glad it was deleted. It was too obvious in having Stevens expose his emotions which, if his character ever did, would not have occurred with a stranger. And I preferred to have him not openly express his regrets about giving so much of his life to Lord Darlington. I liked how the movie portrayed that issue more subtly.
shareIt was in the book though, although James Ivory did mention he only filmed that scene because Anthony Hopkins insisted on it, and didn't even complain when it was removed. He always asumed it was a moment of catharsis that Anthony needed.
shareAgreed, and the problem is that she also managed to make Stevens miserable in the end. As with many English bachelors (something pretty common in GB), he was perfectly happy without knowing love. Then along comes this idiot of a woman who wanted everything to be according to her whims.
shareno way it would have lasted. she's a thrill-seeker.
share