The main character of the movie, Alice Jordan, undergoes a striking transformation throughout the story, from shy, self-sacrificing woman into a strong and independent woman who finally finds out what she really wants. This essay shall focus on her relationships with other people, especially with her husband, her mother - in – law and her lover. By analysing each

Alice Jordan finds her true self at the end of the movie. The changes in her life can be seen also in lives of people she is connected to. None of them is left unaffected. Just like all these relationships affect her. Her husband looses her, because he is unable to see the whole Alice as she is. Her mother – in – law uses too much power and control in their relationships what inevitably leads to a crisis. Clodagh had the best chances to stay with Alice, but she was too possessive and too self oriented to realise, that Alice needed much more space in her life, than she was giving her. She had no other choice, but to leave people she loved the most and start a new life on her own. She could no longer sacrifice herself for the good of others. Because once we find a way to the deepest corners of ourselves, it is very difficult to give it up. And, although, relationships are very important in everybody’s live it starts and begins with an individual. We can not love others without loving ourselves, but when it comes to relationships, sometimes love is just not enough.

At one point of the movie, the two of them have a conversation in garden. Clodagh starts the conversation and purposely leads it to the point, where she confesses to Alice, that the ‘boyfriend’ she had in New York was really a girlfriend. When Clodagh asks Alice, whether she is shocked, her answer is “I do not know”. Clodagh’s response to it is more than honest: “You do not know anything. You do not know how to live.” Alice feels offended by this remark and explains: “Living is not only about having a good time. Living is about getting on with things, bearing things, making things work.” Here, the main difference between the two women can be seen. Their perception on life is completely different and none of them is able to understand the other. But maybe it is exactly this difference that brings them closer together. Alice finally has someone who understands her, who sees not only what is on the surface but also the passionate part hidden somewhere inside. Their relationship becomes more intimate and when Clodagh expresses her feelings for Alice, the affair can start. It seems, in the scene where Clodagh tells her she loves her and wants to make her happy that there could be no other reaction from Alice, than to accept it an return all the feelings she receives. They enjoy their ‘secret’ love and Alice completely drowns in all the emotions. As she explains to Clodagh: “I feel so wonderful with you. I never thought I would say anything like that about a woman.” But here an important question arises. Would Alice react the same way, even if it was a man who enters her life and makes such huge changes in it? It is very probable that she would not. First of all, she would probably reject any stronger affection from other man, since she is a married woman. Yes, one can ask, why does she not think of this, when starting an affair with Clodagh. But just like Martin felt no threat from her, neither did Alice. Their relationship could grow stronger and more intimate without really noticing it. She could open herself to Clodagh, spend a lot of time with her without anyone being suspicious. And often, it is the case that only other people make us realise what is going on in our lives. Things that can seem absolutely natural to us can appear to others as strange and often wrong.

Clodagh’s relationship towards Alice is strong love and affection. However, it is very possessive love she expresses. She can not bear being without Alice and often acts like a little spoiled child that wants their toy only for themselves. She is jealous of everything and everybody in Alice’s life and even tries to isolate her from the rest of the world. Her reaction to revelation of their relationship is completely different. She seems to be very happy about the situation and for the first time in her life even finds the courage and tells her parents she loves A

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