GirlwonderReturns wrote:
But few reviews that I've read of the film call her out for being unreasonable, and that seems odd.
I agree the Jean is being unreasonable. I agree that it was not all Llewyn's fault. I agree that she doesn't accept responsibility for her part in the situation.And I think all of that is beside the point.
I still can't figure out why Jean laid all the responsibility for her pregnancy on Llewyn
She makes no pretense of it being a rational statement. What she is blaming Llewyn for is that she is not going to end up with him because of the way that he is. It is an expression of rage over his character.
or even why she had sex with him in the first place.
Because he is the one that she wants to be with.I understand why she is reacting that way. No, she is not being reasonable, but she is very angry — as much at herself and at the world as she is at Llewyn — because she is not going to end up with the man that she wants.She is angry that Llewyn is the way that he is — I am not sure what the right word is: immature, irresponsible, undependable, something like that — and that she will not be able to raise the baby with him because of that.
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DaveBowman2001
9 years ago
I think you and GirlwonderReturns are both correct and explained perfectly her reaction.
To answer the part about why most of the audience sides with Jean (and/or dislike Llewyn) is that most people are lazy and unobservant and quick to judge. I have to roll my eyes at some of the holier than thou attitudes about these characters. IF they only payed closer attention they might see it different....then again, they might just have their blinders on. Some people think women are always the innocent victim, no matter what the circumstances and immediately condemn and convict the man (think of any rape accusation you hear on the news...never could it be the woman's fault or that she might be lying). People don't need the facts, when they have already made up their minds.
In this case, she doesn't even know who the father is...but 80% of people assume it was Llewyn. They overlook that she might have slept with the owner to get her own gigs. She might have slept with any number of musicians to further her own career/needs. We only see a week in these people's lives. We don't know the entire story to truly judge them. She might have initiated sex with Llewyn for all we know, and yes it still takes two to tango.
She is irrational and angry/frustrated..even petulant. Again it's only one week in their lives. There are probably a lot of women who relate and would act the same way trying to get what they want. Birth control is a two way street, yet you hear the mantra blaming the man for not putting on the condom...so it MUST be the man's fault. Hell, for all we know she might have gotten pregnant on purpose (or lied about it) in order to get Llewyn to change for her needs. We know she has used sex to get things she wants/needs...even if it is out of love for someone else.
Yes, yes yes, she absolutely loves Llewyn and wants him to be the man she marries, but wants to turn him into her own vision and he's not cooperating with her manipulation.
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ppllkk
9 years ago
rduguyforfun wrote:
but wants to turn him into her own vision and he's not cooperating with her manipulation.
My impression when I saw the film was the Jean is so angry because Llewyn is the one that she wants and Llewyn is just not responsible enough to raise a child with.I believe that "her own vision" of Llewyn is of a man that you can count on when raising a child. I don't regard that is unreasonable. I do not believe that she is manipulating Llewyn; I believe that she is angry because he is the way that he is, and thus not a suitable father for her child.I would be quite interested in your reaction to this.I do not remember what the evidence is that any number of men could be the father of the child. Can you refresh my
memory.It seems clear that Llewyn did not use a condom — that in itself is an example of his not being all that responsible — but perhaps Jean was careful to use one with other men.
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DaveBowman2001
9 years ago
I don't think we disagree at all. Maybe he's not an ideal father...but maybe he would be? We don't really know enough based on one week. She thinks not (now) and wants him to change or she would just move on and forget. If his career takes off even a little things might be more "comfortable". There's no correct way to live either...either way could turn out a good child for different reasons..but that might be getting ahead of ourselves anyway. Certainly we agree right now she doesn't find him to be a suitable enough father. Worth nothing though that women often are attracted to musicians, artists, athletes and the like who might not always be the best providers, attention givers, fathers and settle for a stable guy with money/job who is more predictable/dependable financially. (same idea visa versa). Humans don't always get to choose the most desirable genes, because of societal norms/structure...but that's a deeper topic.
When they had the argument in the park, she said she wasn't sure it was his child. Then berated him about needing to wear "two condoms"..etc. Lot's of people seem to overlook this. That said...it could be her intuition (I think she might mentioned ovulating at that time...but not 100% sure). She could also just be playing mind games. Obviously she doesn't want to tell Jim for many reasons...primarily because she probably doesn't want to have his child, since she still loves Llewyn..or maybe doesn't want a child period (now). Jim would prob want the child and not understand her wanting an abortion and might grow suspicious.
He did not use a condom, but she didn't have to let him NOT use one either. Takes two. She's sleeping with Jim..and 99% sure she slept with the gaslight owner...perhaps others too we don't know about? She seems rather cavalier about sex (not a judgement..just observation).
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