Posted by Ayesha on August 15, 1998 at 23:51:07:
In Reply to: Alice: Sorry to bring her up again, but... posted by Sarah on August 15, 1998 at 22:40:43:
: I know this has been a topic of heated debate lately and I hate to bring it up again but I feel compelled ...
: I was watching on super-slow mo the scene of Uncas racing to rescue Alice (mostly looking for the spungy rock formations mushed by Hawkeye running by, which I finally saw) and I was watching Alice as she was being brought along by the Hurons. This time, I couldn't help notice the way she was looking around her -- above and beyond her immediate surroundings. She did so in such an INTERESTED way -- I was reminded of myself in nearby mountains some time ago as a geologist, looking around much the way she did. There is NO WAY she would have looked like that had she been as sunk as deeply into a mental "abyss" as people have made out. Jodhi May -- at that momemnt, wittingly or unwittingly -- indicated Alice's mind was still alive to what was going on. And shortly after, as Uncas first engaged Magua in fight, she lunged forward in such a way that indicated she was totally aware of what was going on.
: All I'm saying is that I feel some of us observers have pushed deeper into this mental "abyss" than might be the real case -- even given English female 'sensibilities' of that time period. Cooper ascribed to Alice more accurate 18th-century sensibilities than Jodhi May gave her. I have been a far more avid student of 18th and early 19th century English literature than 18th-century America, and am familiar with what was expected of a girl of Alice's age at that time. Jodhi gave us a bit more modern portrayal (which I certainly don't mean to fault, as I thought Jodhi May played her extremely well and am an avid Uncas-Alice Type).
: All I ask is for more MODERATION in describing Jodhi's Alice's mental state than some have/do ascribe to her.
: Cheers,
: Sarah
: PS -- I finally saw the Huron/Hawkeye musket blooper where the dead Huron drops the gun below the rock, and next it's right by his hand as Hawkeye grabs it on the run -- Now you don't see it, now you see it! How did they let these things slip by!!!
Yea Sara!
Good on you (as they say in Australia)! One more notch up on the ALICE scale! Of course, I am also an ALICE/UNCAS type. They were my favorite part of the movie! As I have said before Alice's decision to JUMP (as I believe, out of defiance & courage) was for me the most compelling moment in LOTM. The look that she has in her eyes as she is about to jump is strong (of course, according to ME). She looks at Magua, then looks down, looks up, and with defiance JUMPS. I do not think is was suicide.
I also think that Magua saw the whole thing as a mark against his life or as a bad omen (a momentary metaphysical cognition)!
Anyway, this is my opinion. I have always seen this way. I am not capable of seeing it differently.
So there you have it!
Have a great weekend everybody.
Blessings,
Ayesha