What was Blanchett's motivation?

True... Especially considering the extended runtime, a few of the characters certainly could have been a bit more fleshed out. Many of them were interesting on a surface-level, but I would have enjoyed getting more into their heads--particularly in regards to Dr. Ritter.

I was honestly hoping there was some explanation that I was missing, but you could be right. Perhaps that big reveal was added simply for shock value.

I have not seen the 1947 film version, but plan on doing so. From your brief description of the doctor's role in the original, I am intrigued.

Thanks for the reply. I did consider the connection between Ritter and Grindle you suggested, and if it's true that he did in fact hurt her, I can understand her desire for revenge against him.

Having said that, the elaborate plot involving Stanton remains unnecessarily convoluted and nonsensical. You're suggesting Ritter hated Stanton right from the start, simply because he "humiliated her" in front of an audience (which, should be noted, is nothing more than what she was first trying to do to him). I can understand her bitterness over the incident, but to the point of destroying Stanton at any cost? Without any regard for the suffering and death of innocent bystanders along the way (including not only men, but women as well)? Unless the point was to illustrate Ritter as a complete sociopath, it doesn't add up.

I realize Ritter ultimately seems to get away with her crimes, but she was incredibly lucky to do so. So much could have gone wrong for her at every turn in her plot. A woman presented as brilliant as herself presumably would have been able to formulate a much simpler plan, with less risk for collateral damage. Though I suppose that would have made for a less interesting film.

Anyway, I appreciate your insights.

Good explanation.

That's an interesting point about the money. If I recall, he requested to leave it with Ritter because he didn't want his girlfriend finding out about it. That seems like a stretch though; I believe either he had an ulterior motive, or it was a case of lazy writing.

Giving the writers the benefit of the doubt, what was his true motivation for leaving the money with Ritter? I remember the doctor initially declined any cut of the money, so perhaps Stanton thought that by leaving it with her, she would be encouraged to "think it over" and ultimately change her mind about her involvement in the scheme. This would be bad for his short term profits, of course, but thinking long-game, it's better to have a partner in crime equally motivated to keep the scam running.

So then why'd she end up stealing all of Stanton's money and attempting to murder him after the fact? He didn't seem to have any idea what her true intentions were; no suspicions of being used as "just a tool". If she were only out for Grindle, she could have simply let Stanton walk away after her plot was finished.

Not to say Ritter wasn't also targeting Grindle in some way, but the "reveal" scene seemed to suggest a huge personal vendetta against Stanton as well.

I think you're correct to a degree—though I'm still unsure why her issue with Stanton seemed to be so personal.

Are you saying this as a critique of the film or a legitimate answer to the question?

i also assumed she was just hell-bent on revenge since Stanton embarrassed her during his act