I've seen this movie several times but can't figure out their relationship. Were they actually a couple at any point? Did Mark propose? I assume he did because his father's announcement at the anniversary party makes no sense otherwise. So then when he decides to return to England to be w Bridget he just left her?? I know she's not a sympathetic character but still.
shareWithout remembering every detail, my impression was that Mark and Natasha weren't actually engaged, though sufficiently involved that it was reasonable to expect that at some point.
So, yes: Mark apparently dumped her. Like other romantic comedies that have to get by the same plot hurdle, they manage it by a combination of making the dumpee unsympathetic and shooting past the actual dumping so quickly we don't have time to think about it. Some movies only use one of these tactics ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," for example, which only used the former).
re: Natasha, she was sort of pushy, ordering him around and snapping her fingers at him and not really respecting him. I don't think there was a great romance between them. Most likely it was more like a business merger, which was pressed upon him by Natasha and Mark's parents. I think that Mark's father made that announcement in order to push Mark into proposing to Natasha...but it seems very clear to me that he is uneasy about that prospect.
shareI agree, suzy. I never saw them as really "together" at any real point, but as simply business partners, and so they were basically thrown together in certain situations. However, Natasha definitely saw them as a couple and did everything she could to make it look like they were together. She even said to Perpetua in the beginning at the book announcement, "Just give me time. Give me time." Indicating that at that point, no, they weren't a couple in the beginning, and probably when they finally were, weren't a serious couple, but she was determined to have them become one. So she likely insinuated something to Mark's parents at their anniversary party, which prompted his father to make the announcement he did; and yes, Mark definitely looked uncomfortable with the idea. I think he realized at that point that he didn't love Natasha and likely never would, so he had no desire to marry her. It was just a matter of time before he broke it off with her anyway, but Bridget's protest at the party helped push him toward that decision quicker. That's how I see it, anyway.
EMOTICONS ARE BACK! YAY!
I think the give me time reference was about getting the ring. They were a couple, but not a very solid one obviously. It seemed like a relationship of convenience. I could not understand why Mark would be with her though, she was completely condescending and smug. The part that gives me pause was when the married couples were giving Bridget grief about being single, Natasha was also single technically. I'm glad the shoe was on the other foot at the end.
shareI thought it was just a mistake on marks parents part?
shareYep. They're expected to marry, yet they not an item. Doesnt make sense coz its garbage writing to create interference in the possible Jones & Darcy. Very weak
shareMark always had a weak spot for Bridget. He first realized it though at the book launching when she sort of made a fool out of herself and felt bad about it. It was his intention to talk to her to cheer her up but Daniel got to her first. I have a feeling Mark wanted to break away from Natasha every chance he had to cheer up or talk to Bridget. Natasha was way to serious and boring for Mark and Bridget is quite the opposite from Mark and is probably why Mark was so attracted to her.
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