Discuss Laura
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Waldo and Laura
posted by Will BarksSTAFFMOD on April 25, 2017 at 5:42 PM
First: fascinating movie, great characters!
What was kept a little vague (probably on purpose) was Waldo and Laura's relationship. Have they ever been lovers? Was it simply platonic? The short review in Schneider's 1001 movies book even interprets Waldo as obsessingly wanting to be Laura, a notion I find a bit far fetched.
What do you think?
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 12:11 AM
I think it was platonic but Waldo definitely wanted more.
I love this movie too
Reply by genplant29
on April 26, 2017 at 11:54 AM
I, too, believe they were near certainly platonic.
This movie includes one of the greatest surprise scenes in film history, when what we have been led to believe is discovered to not be the actual case. No matter how many times I watch Laura, that revelation scene never loses its impact.
Reply by Strange Bedfellows
on April 26, 2017 at 12:26 PM
It's a while since I saw this film but my impression was that Waldo was more than a little effeminate ( could just be the actor's style though) and may have had that strong friendship (or should I say connection) that gay men sometimes form with straight women. Laura probably took full advantage of this. I am not one of those people constantly looking for a gay subtext - indeed that irritates me a lot - but in this case - hmm - maybe.
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:13 PM
I really want to know what scene you are talking about. But that would mean a spoiler
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:15 PM
I've seen him in quite a few movies and thought he was effeminate.
Reply by genplant29
on April 26, 2017 at 5:20 PM
(SPOILER FOLLOWS)
Aus, I meant when we - and all the characters in the movie - believe that Laura has been murdered, yet she one night eventually nonchalantly returns home, lets herself in, and completely shocks everyone.
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:22 PM
Oh yes that lol.. I've seen the movie so often totally skipped my mind.
Reply by genplant29
on April 26, 2017 at 5:23 PM
lol. Just a little minor plot detail.
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:25 PM
The only part that didn't gel with me was Laura and the detective falling for each other. I mean they really didn't have a date or a decent personal conversaton etc.
Reply by genplant29
on April 26, 2017 at 5:30 PM
I wonder if the Laura portrait somewhere survives and is on display today. That's a gorgeous portrait, so more than likely has been preserved somewhere.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKTjXem-doU/UKZi6wypYUI/AAAAAAAAADQ/2o1BmAEqh9M/s1600/laura.jpg
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:38 PM
If you read about Laura on wiki you'll find and interesting fact about the portrait.
Reply by genplant29
on April 26, 2017 at 5:47 PM
Very interesting! I think you mean the following:
Preminger...replaced the portrait of Laura....Mamoulian's wife Azadia had painted the original portrait, but Preminger replaced that with an enlarged photograph (taken by Fox photographer Frank Polony) of Tierney, lightly dabbed with oils to give it the ethereal effect he wanted.
Neat! I'd never have guessed that's an artistically enhanced photograph! It totally looks like a painted portrait!
Reply by AusFem
on April 26, 2017 at 5:56 PM
I agree, it's totally realistic