MovieChat Forums > Flashbacks of a Fool (2008) Discussion > Ruth or Evelyn?

Ruth or Evelyn?

posted 16 years ago by gary_wildass1987
29 replies | jump to latest

Without wishing to simplify the important matters of the plot too much, I'd like to take some opinions of the above topic. Basically, who would you choose?

I'll just outline some points, for my own benefit really (but you can use them if you think they're useful):

Ruth - very attractive (especially adorably cute in that ridiculously floppy blue hat); fan of good contemporary music (Roxy Music & David Bowie); musically knowledgable (can explain the lyrical meaning of "Jean Genie", having read NME); approachable and friendly.

Evelyn - pretty; rather flirtatious, especially first seen alone with Joe in his room (where her voice becomes all breathy, and she invites him to 'touch'); seemingly disillusioned at her relationship with her daughter, Jane (especially visible when she throws Jane out in order to sleep with Joe); misguided kindness (claims, after Joe protests at being given many 'love bites', that, to paraphrase, he was amazing and she didn't know what she was doing); in a committed, but seemingly unfulfilling relationship.

I'll leave my choice (quick as possible): Ruth, because she was absolutely lovely. I fould myself shouting at Joe to keep walking on to Ruth, rather than stopping at Evelyn's house; "No, Joe, you're an idiot. Leave Evelyn and see Ruth!"

Please feel free to respond.

6? Do me a lemon! That's a poor IQ for a glass of water!

Wenchy-foozy-moo!

[–] rohonnag 16 years ago

same here...

evelyn was even pretty, she was just all sexed up and horny and seductive, ruth was the nice smart one

Why...So..Serious? Let's put a smile on that face of yours!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bfavre1027 16 years ago

i agree with you 100%.
i was on the edge of my seat hoping he would leave evelyn and go to ruth.
evelyn ruined the whole thing for them.
him and ruth just had SO MUCH chemistry.
they would have been perfect together.

[–] naughts-85 16 years ago

i'd take the horny housewife any day of the week

Two manky hookers and a racsist dwarf, im heading home. Ken-In Bruges

[–] cflr 15 years ago

You have to look at this in the context of a horny 15 year-old boy. If you have someone like Evelyn throwing herself at you, how would you resist? I did find it a turnoff though when she threw her daughter out of the house to have sex with Joe and, for a moment, you got the sense that Joe felt uneasy about that.

[–] CheshireCatsGrin 15 years ago

I got the impression that it was more than uneasy, but disgust Joe felt.

DeeDee
Quantum Of Solace7 of 10
Brother's Keeper 7 of 10

[–] filmbuff87 16 years ago

I would choose Evelyn... but only b/c it's Jodhi May.

[–] purple_in_me 15 years ago

Evelyn is not the most likeable character. But Jodhi May is gorgeous so I'm afraid Felicity gets the snub.

[–] killakippa 15 years ago

u make it sound like a hard choice

Last films:
Stupeur et tremblements 8/10
The Young Victoria 7/10

[–] MrBigglesworth999 13 years ago

Ruth for the relationship, Evelyn for the sex.
So, go and see Ruth on time, come back to see Evelyn that night. Keep them both happy.

[–] rma01 15 years ago

At first I thought it'd be Joe and Evelyn's story, coz there are a few scenes of theirs earlier in the movie, but I have to say I just did not like Evelyn at all. When Ruth came into the picture, I immediately liked her character- she seemed sweet, the typical pretty girl that Joe would have liked to go out with. I thought that scene in her house when they listen and dance to Roxy Music was absolutely lovely. It was simple and fun for him to be with her - and he actually liked her, which wasn't the case with Evelyn. What they shared was innocent and cute, and I believe it was the onset of love for him, but his association with Evelyn just ruined it all. I absolutely believe that Ruth and Joe would have been great together. Too bad it did not work out.
Another thing - Evelyn is not a very likeable character. More than the fact that she was adulterous, what really disgusted me about her was the way she threw out her lil girl after inviting Joe into the house. She valued a casual fling more than her child, and even if she was unhappy in her marriage it was no excuse to be irresponsible towards the child, specially in this way - throwing her out of the house just so she could be with a teenaged boy she snagged so deviously. I don't know but that scene just made me hate her. And I think by the look on his face Joe was pretty uncomfortable about it as well.
In the scene when she's crying after the death of Jane, Evelyn says that her husband will blame her for Jane's death and the other lady says that 'It wasn't your fault' - It angered me to see Evelyn behave as if she had nothing to do with it. It would be right if her husband blamed her coz she was to blame . Why couldn't she take Joe someplace else if it was so important to her, instead of dragging her daughter out of the house? If she hadn't done that Jane would have stayed alive.
Btw I feel Ruth was far prettier than Evelyn. All comparisons made, it's a no contest for me - it had to be Ruth with Joe.

[–] kev-hunt 15 years ago

Unquestionably Ruth: Watching the lip-syncing scene, I realized that Felicity Jones is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen (in spite of her being a little too thin). Whenever the movie shows up on cable I can't resist watching the scenes with her in them, especially that one. I don't know why she is not more famous or in more movies; I hope she will be in the future.

[–] kev-hunt 15 years ago

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jacowium 15 years ago

Going by movie-character: RUTH. There'd be more to a relationship with her than mere rooting... not that the rooting would be anything less than phenomenal!

Going by actresses: FELICITY JONES. As much appeal that Jodhi May has (and she has a lot), Felicity Jones just looks like the girlfriend every young man wishes he has.

[–] chase61-1 15 years ago

Ruth . That Evelyn was one ugly broad and a old tramp .

[–] the_darkness_of_poetic_humor 15 years ago

chase how dare youuuuu....I thought she kind of looked like Zooey Deschanel in some scenes, especially in the beginning because she sported the same hairstyle as Zooey.

To be honest, it's like one poster said that he was fifteen and developing. He had an older woman who was persistent and plus, none other a good friend of his moms and I think if any guy or boy even was in that situation you would go for the maturity.