MovieChat Forums > Northanger Abbey (2008) Discussion > *Possible Spoiler* Isabella

Possible Spoiler Isabella

posted 17 years ago by weaselfrance
9 replies | jump to latest

I was watching this on the weekend and noticed something for the first time. In the scene where Frederick seduces Isabella, as they walk to the bedroom the men standing around are dressed but the women are in varying states of undress. Quite a lot of the men seem to be in uniform, but some of the women are just in their underwear.

So, my question is, where has Frederick taken Isabella to have his way with her? Is it possibly some sort of brothel?

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope

[–] randommovies2002 17 years ago

I haven't seen this since April, and I won't be seeing it again until 2008 when it airs in the US. Perhaps it's a seedy inn frequented by prostitutes and their clients?

[–] weaselfrance 17 years ago

Ah, the sweaty paw of Andrew Davies!

This makes the whole 'Isabella is seduced' thing even more bogus to my mind. The only assets Isabella has are her looks and her reputation. She's cold hearted and ruthless and I doubt she'd risk throwing away her chance of a good marriage by setting foot in anywhere dodgy, never mind sleep with someone without a ring on her finger.

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope

[–] randommovies2002 17 years ago

I'd say that Isabella has other assets as well-- which, IIRC, were on display throughout her scenes.

[–] Marbeque 17 years ago

Possibly it is a brothel, where else are they going to do it without someone telling on them?

[–] tami-littlenut 17 years ago

<<I'd say that Isabella has other assets as well-- which, IIRC, were on display throughout her scenes.>>

You can say that again. I don't think anyone looked at her face. The director was clearly obsessed with her breasts and just couldn't film them enough.

[–] helloeeze 17 years ago

Her exposing herself was a clue to her later bad behavior. I knew she was up to no good! She was quite a contrast to Catherine who was properly clothed.

[–] randommovies2002 17 years ago

I have to say, though, that no one shows more cleavage in an Austen adaptation than Caroline Bingeley does in the 1980 Pride and Prejudice! OMG, you should see how low her gown is cut at Netherfield! (But then, she's doesn't have even half the "assets" that Isabella Thorpe has!)

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] da_science_freak 17 years ago

I've always thought that the place was a military garrison, where soldiers like Frederick, are posted. Though there is no doubt that the other women were probably from brothels and were taken to that place for the soldiers' amusement. I presumed that Frederick merely took Isabella up to his own bedchambers.