Maybe this will be the only negative commentary on White Palace anyone will ever read. Do we really believe that a 27 yr. old, handsome, upwardly mobile "fine Jewish boy" well educated and cool (albeit still grief-ridden over the death of his wife) will eventually remain in a long term relationship with a slovenly, brazen,, chain-smoking,hard-drinking waitress almost 17 years older than he? A couple of more summers maybe--and that doesn't jell as a "romance" for me. Susan Sarandon sums it up "I give a good blow job"( add some more years on her and she can take out her teeth??)---Who stands to end up heartbroken?? She does. Will she spend every day looking for more wrinkles, and feeling "unworthy"? The differences will become more and more unbearable for both and this "couple" will dissolve into thin air. Can we really accept that he(Spader) gives up a high paying career, and all the best in life and trade it for a walk-up "flat" and teachers pay for a woman so much older that he? That just isn't going to happen in real life. For one thing, James Spader is playing a very intelligent, very sexy man! Most critics are focusing on the cultural differences as the major problem. (And--how she is at such a contrast with his lifestyle and family and friends.)The nitty-gritty is--she cannot last due to her age. I am sure it is just a physical thing. We all know its going to be a downhill trip for this couple. All of these obvious conclusions were standing in the way of believing the film. It was great as a fantasy film, or maybe Disney could put a spin on it, and get by. The acting is terrific, and powerful! But I couldn't get White Palace 11 ( never to be made but in my imagination) out of my mind. Realism makes manifest; a doomed interlude. Everybody loved the movie, but I found it improbable as a true "love story". Two magnetic lovers, mesmerized by passion-- who will remain in each others dream life only a decade down the road, at best..
Maybe all women over 40 who saw the film are thinking what I'm thinking but didn't have a place to verbalize it. Thanks.
Maybe all women over 40 who saw the film are thinking what I'm thinking but didn't have a place to verbalize it. Thanks.