MovieChat Forums > Being Julia (2005) Discussion > Meaning?

Meaning?

posted 20 years ago by katerpillar6
11 replies | jump to latest

I had a question. I really liked the ending. And I know there was some symbolism behind it. Her son had told her earlier that he felt she was always acting. And at the end, he is so happy and proud of her performance. What do you guys think that last scene was symblozing? Her finally being comfortable with herself? Finally accpeting reality? And why were the maid, and son, and friend so happy about it? I'd like your opinions. Also, who do you think that guy was that was always giving her tips, and criticizing him. I think it was supposed to be like an acting coach. Representing how she is always acting, even offstage.
Sorry if I sound dumb, asking all this stuff. I'm just trying to understand the deeper meaning of the movie.

[–] My_Name_Is_Lydia 20 years ago

Her son was proud of her because they finally connected - while she was in her bliss (on stage) and he in the audience. If you listened closely to her dialogue, she addressed everything in her life. She let everyone know she knew of everything that was going on. B-E-N was T-O-M. She put Avice in her place. In doing all of this, she found herself AND revived her career in one glorious monologue.

The gentleman giving her advice was the ghost of her late acting coach. Remember at the opening of the film (he was still alive), he told her that reality was on stage and real life is just acting.

Hope this helps!

...and that's all I have to say about that.

[–] moviemonkey13 20 years ago

Nicely put. Also, when you look at the way Julia's approaches life, it's the same way she is on stage. Everything is acted, and internally scripted (aided by the dead acting coach.) You notice that she tried to keep Tom around using exactly the same dialogue she used on Roger. (the gay friend, hope I got his name right.)
But at the end, she breaks through this and actually uses her own script, or maybe even ad libs. No one else's script, no one else's direction. She has, for the first time, learned how to "Be" Julia.
Her son recognizes this and it is her moment of epiphany. Also, it was the best scene in the movie by far.

[–] My_Name_Is_Lydia 20 years ago

Thanks, Moviemonkey. Charles was Julia's friend - Roger was her son.

Julia's final monologue was magnificent! I think Julia had been rehearsing that in her mind for some time. It was meticulously planned. I didn't read the book so maybe there was more insight into her planning it. I loved figuring it out little by little and then watching her floor everyone with her devious little plan.

I just loves this movie!

...and that's all I have to say about that.

[–] filmakeratheart 20 years ago

I thought it was sad. She lied in rehearsal when she pretended to want to wear a plain dress in the scene and then she wears a flashier one in performance. She rearranges the final performance so she can upstage her rival. So the girl had it coming. So what?

I thought the end was tragic. She ends up no closer to anyone in her life despite her shared "triumph". She winds up in a resturant, Drinking alone.

Revenge has been described as a dish that is best served cold. In this case the server winds up as emotionally frigid as the meal she serves.

[–] My_Name_Is_Lydia 20 years ago

It sounds like you missed the point of the film. Nobody said Julia was an angel, but the story was about a woman coming into her own. Julia was just wired to be an actress and that's what she was - on and off stage. That was the whole plot!

Didn't you see that DINING (you see it as just drinking) alone was actually a victory?! She was too insecure to be in a public restaurant without a companion her whole life. Dining alone was a very big deal and the "after glow" after the "climax."

...and that's all I have to say about that.

[–] filmakeratheart 20 years ago

"Nobody said Julia was an angel, but the story was about a woman coming into her own."

Coming into her own what?

"Julia was just wired to be an actress and that's what she was - on and off stage."

Someone who acting on and off stage all the time would be hard to live with, hard to trust, hard to even like. Her acting on stage wasn't even that good.

"Didn't you see that DINING (you see it as just drinking) alone was actually a victory?! She was too insecure to be in a public restaurant without a companion her whole life. Dining alone was a very big deal and the "after glow" after the "climax." "

Now you may have a point here. I don't actually remember a line that directly indicated that she was too insecure to dine alone. But there may have been one.
However, isn't the "afterglow" after the "climax" better when it is shared?

[–] My_Name_Is_Lydia 20 years ago

Julia was a self-centered, insecure character. She was supposed to be difficult... (again) that's the point of the movie. She had spent her whole life orchestrating and controlling everything and everybody around her. To Julia, she was ALWAYS in a play and plays are written. She memorized every line she could 24/7 (using the best ones over and over). Notice that her most human moment in the film was when Roger was telling her he'd lost his virginity. She had to improvise and it was a really touching moment.

A direct line wasn't needed to indicate that she was too insecure to dine alone. It just fit in with her mode of operation. I know women even these days who would never dine or go to a movie alone because it makes them look, well, alone!

I didn't mean "afterglow" and "climax" in the literal sexual sense, but the similarities are there. Julia had planned her on-stage rant for a long time. She built up Avice's confidence so much, Avice was sure she was bound for superstardom. Her husband had the little ingenue in the palm of his greasy hand AND he was sure his play was a hit with Julia playing the demure second banana. T-O-M also had Avice's attention, and the 'unsuspecting' Julia on the side. Everyone was ready to kick Julia to the curb. Like I said in another thread, she showed everyone up and revived her career in one perfect moment. Julia conquered all and then enjoyed herself. She basked in her OWN victory.

...and that's all I have to say about that.

[–] wildsilver_fairy 20 years ago

To quote moviemonkey13 - "She has, for the first time, learned how to "Be" Julia"

That's exactly how I felt - which is why I thought the title was so apt. I loved the ending: a bit meloncholy, a bit happy - sort of like the process of life, really

[–] Sunflower007 20 years ago

~ I felt the sameway about the ending too. It all done beautifully and well done.

*~~*

[–] agb8 19 years ago

for once she brought her 'real life' onto the stage and she was genuine and performed the best she ever had because of this. her son was proud of her because she finally stopped acting and told it how it was.
i think the ghost of her acting coach was representative of her internal dialogue of failure and the high standards that she held herself to. after that performance i get the feeling that she would never see that ghost again, like she had banished her past doubts and in doing so had sent him away.

[–] vonziggy 11 years ago

Yes it was brilliant how it was all wrapped up in the end.