MovieChat Forums > Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Discussion > Bryan's Proposal

Bryan's Proposal

posted 8 years ago by Miss_Onsenn
10 replies | jump to latest

This might be just me... but watching this again tonight, it struck me just how out of order Bryan's disappointment was, when Dorey rejected him.

He seems to go full on guilt-trip on her with "I did everything to make you happy"... "I asked for nothing in return". Also, there was no real "proposal". He didn't actually ask her to marry her, or said he loved her... just presented her with the ring as if nothing else needed saying. I mean sure, I get that he would be upset but it just seemed a pretty douchey way for him to behave towards her.

Don't get me wrong though, I do love this movie overall - essential Christmas viewing! :)

[–] rickrowlands-34179 8 years ago

I thought her put down was down right cruel

[–] scottstrohkirch-577-3343 8 years ago

This version, while more modern, is nothing compared to the original. Why did the producers and writers change the names of the department stores. In the original, Macy's was the store that hired Santa. This new one is Coles? I ask, why mess with what was already a successful screenplay?

[–] HiMyNameIsPenny 8 years ago

Macy's would not authorize the use of their name in the remake

[–] marktayloruk (2502) 2 years ago

Why not?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8710) a year ago

Wikipedia has your answer:

The New York City based Macy's department store declined any involvement with this remake, saying “we feel the original stands on its own and could not be improved upon.” The fictitious "Cole's" became its replacement. Gimbels had gone out of business in 1987; hence it was replaced by the fictional "Shopper's Express".

[–] marktayloruk (2502) a year ago

They were right.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8710) a year ago

I actually rewatched the remake this year and enjoyed it. It doesn't surpass the original but it's an enjoyable movie in its own right.

[–] Crocodile (3127) 4 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TheLonelyOne86 (240) 4 years ago

I kind of felt his proposal was premature. They obviously hadn't known each other long enough for him to have told Susan earlier that she could call him Brian. Dorey was hesitant to go to dinner with him. When she says "okay" he looks triumphant like he had FINALLY gotten her to go out with him. I was kind of under the impression that on their night on the town, the kiss at the ice rink was the first kiss, but then it's later that same evening he whips out that ring. Her rejection was basically his own fault.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8710) a year ago

The amount of time they've known each other is one thing that is unclear in the film. It's obviously long enough that Dorey feels comfortable with Susan hanging out at Bryan's place and the two of them being alone together. I had the feeling that they had been seeing each other longer than their counterparts had in the 1947 original, but exactly how long is murky and uncertain.