MovieChat Forums > The Horse Whisperer (1998) Discussion > Hated Annie

Hated Annie

posted 11 years ago by svenrufus
5 replies | jump to latest

I'll admit that by the end of the film she was more tolerable, but her character at the beginning was so objectionable, I couldn't completely warm to her. I know she was under a lot of stress following the accident, and it is possible to say that her decision to go to Montana was motivated by desperation to help her daughter, but it seems to me that it was more about her anger at not being in control of the people and situations around her life. She was mostly just acting out of self interest and selfishness rather than love and compassion. When she shouted at her husband "I don't care what all the doctor's and professionals say about my daughter's recovery, I know best" (or words to that effect) that nailed it for me - she was mainly driven by her ego and the people around her were peripheral to her own life script, to be shaped in the image she painted for them in her head. She confirmed that later when talking to Grace about why she pushes her to do things.

Her behaviour at the ranch continued like that for quite a while too, making it harder to believe in the 'transformation' that she went through by the end.

Grace was great, a really sympathetic character, and Redford dependably engaging, but Annie's character drove a wedge between me and this film. Not really my cup of tea anyway, I'll admit, but a pity an otherwise solid film was spoiled further by that.

[–] binaryguy1101 11 years ago

I agree with you that she is unlikable, but I don't understand why that would drive a wedge between you and the film.

That was how the character was supposed to be (I think). She was supposed to be the kind of person who thinks she can control everything - and them something happens that she can't control. Don't we all know people who are like that? People who volunteer at the church picnic - or decorating the dance hall for homecoming. And then they control what everyone else does to the point that no one wants to do anything - and then they complain that they had to do it all themselves?

To me, she was realistic. And I suppose it was to make a clearer contrast between a person in the big city verses one from an open air ranch. (I'm sure there are laid back people in the cities, and control freaks in the country, but that was not where the movie was going).

[–] viking-fjord_90 9 years ago

Grace was a bitchy brat. She was bitching constantly at her mother who tried her best to find a solution when she could've just ordered to kill the horse anyway. Grace should be grateful to have a mother who despite everybody else's advice, decided to keep the horse alive. Being such a brat doesn't make the fact any easier, that she should've known better to go riding in snowy and icy conditions up a steep hill regardless of the stupid truckdriver who possibly couldn't know that even more stupid brats who supposedly knew how to handle a horse, well couldn't handle a horse in regards of the situation.

[–] IcingOnTheCake 9 years ago

Agreed, Grace was a mouthy teen. Anne had to be strong. Her husband wasn't. Anne held the family together. She didn't know everything but had to try to find answers because she was the glue that held everything together.

Grace may not have had such luxuries as her own horse if her mother wasn't so driven. Her father didn't seem to be. It's sexism. If a woman works hard then she's a cold mother. If a father works hard then he's a good provider.

[–] viking-fjord_90 9 years ago

As a matter of fact, I understand why the vet didn't want Annie to bring a gun...she'd most likely shoot herself or her daughter, or the horse, or all of them, because of the daughter's nagging. This movie seriously pissed me off :P

[–] Tullyboy 9 years ago

I usually really enjoy KST's acting. She has a wonderful emotional range and typically expresses a great intelligence as well as great sensitivity in the roles she plays. While she certainly brought that superb acting ability to her role here, the script/direction of this character forced her to portray Annie as controlling, often insensitive and rather unapproachable on a personal level.
And, she continued being extremely egocentric
throughout most of the rest of the film.

Her interlude with Robert Redford was more of that self-centered viewpoint. Perhaps she had come to recognize how far away from intimacy she had grown. So, as badly thought through as that interaction and attraction was, she did have the opportunity to truly FEEL again -- that allowed her character to really grow, which let me accept that, though I deeply disliked Annie earlier in the film, I could finally forgive her limitations and transgressions and actually come to like her in the end. Tough role for Kristin but extremely well played as always.