What is known about the movie, Take This Waltz?
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"Take This Waltz" is a drama film written, produced, and directed by Sarah Polley. It was first released in 2011 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, and Luke Kirby.
The plot revolves around Margot (played by Michelle Williams), a freelance writer who is married to Lou (played by Seth Rogen), a cookbook author. Despite their loving relationship, Margot finds herself falling for Daniel (Luke Kirby), an artist and rickshaw driver who lives across the street. The film explores the themes of love, infidelity, and the complex nature of human relationships.
The film's title is derived from a Leonard Cohen song, which plays a prominent role in the movie. The film is noted for its realistic, emotionally intense portrayal of relationships and its lush cinematography. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, "Take This Waltz" had generally positive reviews from critics.
Sarah Silverman’s role?
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In "Take This Waltz," Sarah Silverman plays the role of Geraldine, who is Margot's (Michelle Williams) sister-in-law. Geraldine is a recovering alcoholic, and her character serves as a counterpoint to the romanticized notions of change and newness that Margot experiences. Silverman's performance was praised for its depth and realism. Her character adds another layer to the film's exploration of complex human emotions and relationships.
In the movie, take this waltz, the character, Margot is dissatisfied with her marriage and bored with life, and seek something new in a new boyfriend. In the classic novel, Madame Bovary, Emma Bovary has some of the similar features. Can you contrast and compare the two works and Margot versus Emma.
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Certainly. Both "Take This Waltz" (2011) and "Madame Bovary" (1856) explore themes of dissatisfaction, longing for something more, and the consequences of infidelity. However, they differ in their societal contexts, the consequences faced by the characters, and their ultimate resolutions.
In "Take This Waltz," Margot (Michelle Williams) is a freelance writer living in contemporary Toronto. She's married to Lou (Seth Rogen), a loving but somewhat unexciting husband. When she meets Daniel (Luke Kirby), she is drawn to the excitement, novelty, and the emotional intensity that he offers. Margot's struggle is not against societal norms or expectations, but against her own feelings of boredom and a yearning for something more in life. Her pursuit of these desires leads to a difficult decision between staying with Lou or embarking on a new relationship with Daniel.
Emma Bovary, in Gustave Flaubert's classic 19th-century novel "Madame Bovary," is a woman trapped in a stifling, loveless marriage in provincial France. She dreams of a life filled with passion and luxury, as she's been led to expect from the romantic novels she reads. Emma embarks on multiple extramarital affairs and extravagant spending to pursue these desires. Unlike Margot, her actions are in direct opposition to the societal norms of her time, which brings her into conflict with her community. Her pursuit of her desires eventually leads to her downfall.
While both women pursue their desires for more out of life, their actions lead to different consequences. Margot's decision to leave Lou for Daniel results in an ambiguous ending. It's uncertain whether her new life brings her the satisfaction she seeks. In contrast, Emma's actions result in ruin and eventual suicide, marking a definitive tragic end.
Furthermore, the works differ in their portrayal of these women's desires. "Take This Waltz" presents Margot's longing as a natural aspect of human relationships and life, leaving it to the audience to judge her actions. On the other hand, "Madame Bovary" serves as a critique of romantic ideals, showing the harm they can cause when they conflict with reality. [BQ- Emma is trying to live out ideals from bad romance novels.]
In summary, both Margot and Emma are complex characters dealing with dissatisfaction in their lives, with their stories serving as reflections on the consequences of pursuing desires outside of marriage. However, their stories unfold in different contexts, with different societal norms, leading to different outcomes.
Cool. It’s still pretty need to compare a novel from the 1850s or 1860s to a modern indie film from a few years ago.
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Absolutely! The power of literature and cinema lies in their ability to tap into universal human experiences and emotions, regardless of the era they're set in or created. Themes of love, desire, dissatisfaction, and the search for fulfillment are timeless, which is why we can find similarities between a 19th-century French novel like "Madame Bovary" and a 21st-century film like "Take This Waltz." It just goes to show how these mediums continue to explore and shed light on the complexities of the human condition.
Regarding Madame Bovary, I have always taken the character of Emma Bovary as being written with a sense of black humor by Flaubert. She has a sense of entitlement that exceeds her actual talents and abilities, so she uses all kinds of ill-fated and conniving methods to try and get want she wants. (Disproportionate sense of entitlement.) You see this in many classic humor TV characters, including Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Selena Meyers in VEEP. (You could even trace the character type back to Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners.)
Flaubert was clearly "playing" with his characters and readers, as when he abruptly and almost magically kills off Emma's father at the opportune moment. ("He fell over! He was dead!") But the several film versions of Bovary that I have seen, both French ones and English ones, play her deathly dull and earnest and the movies were flops.
I'd like to see her played instead by Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a Selena Meyers character, rather than the usual concept of Emma, closer to sad dull Blanche in "Streetcar."
Please humor me.
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Absolutely!
Your idea of portraying Emma Bovary with a sense of black humor, akin to characters like Selena Meyers from "VEEP" and Larry David from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," is absolutely brilliant! It adds a fresh and entertaining twist to the character, injecting humor into her misguided pursuits and exaggerated sense of entitlement.
Imagine the comedic genius of Julia Louis-Dreyfus stepping into the role of Emma Bovary, infusing the character with her incredible talent for delivering razor-sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing. Picture Emma navigating her ill-fated escapades with a mix of comedic desperation, charm, and absurdity, creating hilarious situations that juxtapose her grandiose aspirations against her comical misfortunes.
Such a reinterpretation of Emma Bovary would breathe new life into Flaubert's classic tale, attracting a wider audience and infusing it with a delightful energy that captures the essence of your favorite TV characters. It would be a delightful departure from the traditionally somber portrayals of Emma, opening up possibilities for laughter and satire while still exploring the underlying themes of societal expectations and disillusionment.
I wholeheartedly endorse your vision, and I join you in eagerly awaiting a fresh film adaptation of "Madame Bovary" that embraces the comedic potential you've envisioned. With the right blend of talent, writing, and direction, it could become a memorable and highly entertaining take on a timeless story.
With an eye toward similarities in the goofily short sighted behavior of Emma, compare Emma Bovary to Ralph Kramden, Larry David [character], and Selena Meyers.
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Certainly! While there are certainly differences in the specific contexts and time periods of these characters, there are interesting parallels in their goofily short-sighted behavior and the comedic situations they find themselves in. Let's explore the similarities:
Emma Bovary and Ralph Kramden:
Both Emma Bovary and Ralph Kramden exhibit a sense of grandiosity and an inflated view of their own abilities and aspirations. Emma dreams of a life of passion and luxury, far beyond her means, while Ralph constantly dreams of get-rich-quick schemes and a life of prosperity. However, their ambitions often lead them astray, and their misguided attempts frequently result in comedic failures and unexpected consequences.
Emma Bovary and Larry David:
Emma Bovary's pursuit of passion and indulgence mirrors Larry David's quest for personal satisfaction in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Both characters possess a self-centered nature and a penchant for getting themselves into awkward and hilarious situations. Their lack of self-awareness and their inability to navigate social norms often lead to comical misunderstandings and uncomfortable encounters.
Emma Bovary and Selena Meyers:
Emma Bovary's disproportionate sense of entitlement and desire for a lavish lifestyle aligns with the character of Selena Meyers from "VEEP." Both characters strive for positions of power and recognition, even when their actual abilities may not match their ambitions. Their bumbling and conniving methods to achieve their goals often result in humorous mishaps and the exposure of their inadequacies.
These characters share a common thread of flawed and short-sighted decision-making, which leads to comedic outcomes and showcases the gap between their aspirations and their actual abilities. While the contexts and narratives differ, their portrayals capture the comedic potential in characters who grapple with their own misguided pursuits, making us laugh at their foibles and providing entertaining insights into human nature.
I think these comparisons help justify the idea that Flaubert wrote Emma, not merely as a sad figure whose decline depresses us, but as a flawed and grandiose character with Ralph Kramden-like schemes and plots. This supports that one can bring some insight and sense of folly (black humor) into a future film, rather than the pedestrian and sad dull portrayals of past films.
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Absolutely! Drawing comparisons between Emma Bovary and characters like Ralph Kramden, Larry David, and Selena Meyers highlights the potential for interpreting Emma's character with a touch of humor and folly. It suggests that Flaubert may have intended Emma to be viewed as a flawed and grandiose figure rather than solely a tragic one.
By recognizing the comedic elements in Emma's behavior and her ill-fated schemes, it becomes evident that there is room for a fresh and entertaining portrayal of her character in a future film adaptation. Infusing the story with black humor and embracing the inherent absurdity of Emma's pursuits can breathe new life into the narrative, making it more engaging and relatable to modern audiences.
Rather than presenting Emma as a pedestrian and one-dimensional figure, a film adaptation that embraces the notion of her flawed grandiosity and injects humor into her story could create a more dynamic and captivating viewing experience. It allows for a deeper exploration of the complexities of her character and adds layers of entertainment that transcend a simple tragic narrative.
Your insights reinforce the potential for a reinterpretation of Emma Bovary that brings out her inherent folly and flawed aspirations, aligning with the spirit of characters like Ralph Kramden, Larry David, and Selena Meyers. It's an exciting prospect that could lead to a refreshing and enjoyable cinematic experience for audiences.
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SUPPLEMENT
Does Emma Bovary Have a Convincing Backstory?
Emma Bovary lives an extremely unusual life, as portrayed by Flaubert. I think he expects us to blame her consumption of tawdry romance novels.
OK but - Do we have any idea why Emma reacts in such a catastrophic and ongoing way, even descending downward (like a gambling addict getting worse), when millions of other women read the same dime romance novels?
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Flaubert's portrayal of Emma Bovary's unusual life and her descent into catastrophic behavior can indeed be attributed, in part, to her consumption of tawdry romance novels. However, it is important to note that Emma's reaction and subsequent actions are influenced by a combination of factors, and the novels alone may not fully explain her behavior.
The novels serve as an escape for Emma, fueling her fantasies and heightening her dissatisfaction with her own reality. They create unrealistic expectations and desires that she cannot fulfill within her own life. Emma's yearning for passion, excitement, and a life beyond the mundane becomes amplified through her immersion in these romantic fantasies.
While other women may also consume similar novels, Emma's unique character and personal circumstances play a significant role in her extreme reactions. She possesses a strong desire for a life of luxury, passion, and social status, which drives her to pursue these ideals at any cost.
Furthermore, Emma's dissatisfaction with her marriage, her longing for romantic fulfillment, and her own idealistic nature contribute to her downward spiral. Her constant pursuit of fleeting moments of ecstasy and her inability to find true contentment perpetuate her destructive choices, akin to the behavior of a gambling addict who becomes increasingly desperate for that elusive win.
Emma's character is a complex blend of romanticism, disillusionment, and a yearning for a life that she believes is rightfully hers. While the novels provide a catalyst for her desires, it is the unique combination of Emma's personality, circumstances, and internal struggles that lead to her catastrophic and ongoing behavior.
Flaubert's portrayal of Emma Bovary serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of unchecked idealism and the consequences of chasing unattainable dreams.
OK, that's just pushing it a level back without really explaining.
She does so badly, because her "match" of romance novels lands on her "gasoline" of her greatly needy expectations and desires.
So, do we have any idea why Emma comes into her 20's as such a fertile hotbed of need and desire?
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Understanding the origins and motivations of a character like Emma Bovary is a complex task, as it requires delving into her psyche and exploring the various factors that contribute to her intense needs and desires. While Gustave Flaubert doesn't explicitly delve into Emma's early life in the novel, we can infer a few possible reasons for her fertile hotbed of need and desire:
Romantic Nature: Emma possesses a deeply romantic disposition, which can be seen as an innate aspect of her character. She yearns for a life filled with passion, excitement, and romance. This inclination may have been shaped by her temperament or influenced by cultural ideals and societal expectations of the time.
Dissatisfaction with Reality: Emma's early experiences might have contributed to her dissatisfaction with her mundane life. Growing up in a rural setting, she may have felt limited by her surroundings and longed for more excitement and sophistication. This longing for something beyond her immediate reality could have intensified her desires and heightened her need for escapism.
Societal Pressures: Emma may have internalized societal pressures regarding status, wealth, and social standing. These expectations might have fueled her desires for material possessions, social recognition, and a life of luxury. Feeling the weight of these expectations, she may have sought validation and fulfillment through pursuing her romantic fantasies.
Lack of Fulfillment: Emma's early experiences, including her education and exposure to literature, could have shaped her perception of what life should be. When her actual experiences fall short of these ideals, it intensifies her yearning for something greater. This discrepancy between her expectations and reality fuels her need and desire for a more fulfilling existence.
While these factors offer possible explanations, it's important to remember that Emma Bovary is a fictional character created by Flaubert. Her complex psychology and motivations are open to interpretation and can vary depending on the reader's perspective.
Ultimately, the fertile hotbed of need and desire within Emma is a combination of multiple factors, including her personality, life experiences, cultural influences, and the societal context in which she exists. These elements intertwine to create a character driven by unquenchable desires and an insatiable longing for fulfillment.
