My heart actually aches when I watch the opening scenes of this film. I can’t stand to think that the streets of our great country are filled with young women like Vivian, trying to make their own way in the world, being treated like human garbage, and all the while, they are trying to pretend that it doesn’t destroy them from the inside out.
Vivian is a real person just like you or me. We witness her warning her friend off drugs, trying to take responsibility for their financial situation, and saying, “Don’t you want to get out of here?” We know she is not resigned to this as her ultimate fate. She refuses to work for a pimp, maintains what control she can in a situation that is clearly unacceptable to her, and tries to keep herself, and her roommate, as safe as possible.
So, once she is in the company of Edward, it is almost painful to watch her contrive an act to appear happy about being what she is. We can see that she hates herself for it. We can almost feel her inward shame. Who would blame Edward if he didn’t accept her? She obviously doesn’t accept herself, and we can see that he is far above her in every way.
When Edward first meets Vivian, he doesn’t know her well at all. He tries to become more acquainted, but she puts up barriers so he doesn’t get too personal. It is a wonder he gets to know her at all, since she goes out of her way to pretend to be what she thinks he wants her to be. She is overly obvious in her demeanor and language as if to demonstrate to him that she is nothing but a hooker through and through. She is trying too hard to convince him – or maybe herself – that their imminent encounter means nothing at all to her but cold hard cash. We know this is not so.
I think part of the reason this movie has become such a classic is that there is a little of Vivian in all of us. I don’t mean there is a prostitute in all of us, but haven’t we all stretched ourselves into a pretzel to meet someone else’s expectations? Haven’t we been pressured to be the perfect girlfriend, the perfect daughter-in-law, or the perfect employee? We all share the need for approval, acceptance and belonging. In Vivian’s case, probably out of a feeling of worthlessness and desperation, she pretends to be the perfect “date”. She soon finds out, with Edward, she doesn’t need to pretend. He accepts her – the real her – for who she really is.
Edward effectively cuts through her façade. He learns her real name, and encourages her to relax and be herself. He won’t let her get away with hiding anything from him, not even dental floss! When he sees her short blond hair was really a wig, he appreciates Vivian’s long unruly auburn hair all the more. And by the time he catches her submerged in a bubble bath caterwauling away, all pretenses are gone.
In spite of their obvious differences, perhaps even because of them, he wants her to stay. He accepts Vivian, just as she is.
Readers: Have you ever bent yourself into a pretzel trying to be someone you're not? If so, for who, why, and when?
Vivian is a real person just like you or me. We witness her warning her friend off drugs, trying to take responsibility for their financial situation, and saying, “Don’t you want to get out of here?” We know she is not resigned to this as her ultimate fate. She refuses to work for a pimp, maintains what control she can in a situation that is clearly unacceptable to her, and tries to keep herself, and her roommate, as safe as possible.
So, once she is in the company of Edward, it is almost painful to watch her contrive an act to appear happy about being what she is. We can see that she hates herself for it. We can almost feel her inward shame. Who would blame Edward if he didn’t accept her? She obviously doesn’t accept herself, and we can see that he is far above her in every way.
When Edward first meets Vivian, he doesn’t know her well at all. He tries to become more acquainted, but she puts up barriers so he doesn’t get too personal. It is a wonder he gets to know her at all, since she goes out of her way to pretend to be what she thinks he wants her to be. She is overly obvious in her demeanor and language as if to demonstrate to him that she is nothing but a hooker through and through. She is trying too hard to convince him – or maybe herself – that their imminent encounter means nothing at all to her but cold hard cash. We know this is not so.
I think part of the reason this movie has become such a classic is that there is a little of Vivian in all of us. I don’t mean there is a prostitute in all of us, but haven’t we all stretched ourselves into a pretzel to meet someone else’s expectations? Haven’t we been pressured to be the perfect girlfriend, the perfect daughter-in-law, or the perfect employee? We all share the need for approval, acceptance and belonging. In Vivian’s case, probably out of a feeling of worthlessness and desperation, she pretends to be the perfect “date”. She soon finds out, with Edward, she doesn’t need to pretend. He accepts her – the real her – for who she really is.
Edward effectively cuts through her façade. He learns her real name, and encourages her to relax and be herself. He won’t let her get away with hiding anything from him, not even dental floss! When he sees her short blond hair was really a wig, he appreciates Vivian’s long unruly auburn hair all the more. And by the time he catches her submerged in a bubble bath caterwauling away, all pretenses are gone.
In spite of their obvious differences, perhaps even because of them, he wants her to stay. He accepts Vivian, just as she is.
Readers: Have you ever bent yourself into a pretzel trying to be someone you're not? If so, for who, why, and when?
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