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Problem with the Carnegie Hall Scene (Spoilers)

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

The 'success' of Florence's Carnegie Hall scene is predicated on Agnes Stark telling the soldiers to shut up and her encouraging the audience to chant 'Sing! Sing!'.

However, previously in the film, Agnes Stark is so overcome with laughter at Florence's performance, she is shown the door.

My question is, what transpired to change Agnes' opinion? It would have been interesting to have seen that, rather than the abrupt and unexplained 'about face'.

Thoughts?

[–] fer_abra 8 years ago

Actually, it's done like that with Agnes to make the ultimate point about FFJ's character. Agnes didn't know her at the beginning and laughed at her, but because she grew fond of her, she's protective. It wouldn't have worked with Hugh Grant.

[–] snelling 8 years ago

She may have been an Agnes de Mille-type character.

"'Extremely High Voltage.' Well, I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Simpsonmnmnmnmnmnxx--" - Frank Grimes

[–] nalini-kluth-735-879554 8 years ago

I think her reactions and development during the movie exactly reflect the movie's audience's reaction: When you hear FFJ singing for the first time, you can't help but laugh, but the better you get to know her, you start feeling compassion for her and her situation.

Nali*

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[–] harro (510) 5 years ago

I accept other peoples explanation of Agnes Stark defending Florence. I think the real question you should be asking is why were the soldiers booing Florence and telling her to get off the stage ? I mean I thought they all knew she couldn't sing from the record she made, but loved her singing for the comic joy it brought. so what transpired to explain their changed expectations ?

[–] UdoConstantini (117) 4 years ago

I think we learn there is more to Agnes than appears at first. Part of it is that she shown strong loyalty to her clan, and after the first concert (where she cracks up), she ends up at St. Clair's apartment partying with all the others. I think it is meant to be understood that, through this social interaction, she just becomes part of the "in" crowd in the NY music scene.