MovieChat Forums > Sleeping with Other People (2015) Discussion > Lainey, teaching, and med school...

Lainey, teaching, and med school...

posted 9 years ago by idca
23 replies | jump to latest

I just watched the movie again and on a second viewing there were things that bothered me about how the script dealt with Lainey wanting to get into med school.

Because first, why does she want to get into med school? We don't know, it's never shown. On the other hand, in the film we learn about how much she loves teaching kids and there are even two scenes dedicated to how good she seems to be at it. It appears that the only reason Lainey wants to go to med school is because the writer of the script needed to set up an obstacle between her and Jake (see: Lainey moving to Michigan).

The second thing that bothers me is how she more than once gets taunted for being a kindergarten teacher. First by her Adam Brody boyfriend who says something like "teaching is not a real thing", and later by Adam Scott's character who seems to want to hurt her by asking what she does for a living right after he and two other characters have proclaimed more "high status" jobs for themselves. After that line from him, Lainey starts crying and goes to the bathroom. In one of the film's later scenes, Scott's character says to Lainey: "just because I don't applaud your intellect doesn't mean I don't notice it", which makes me think Lainey, who we know has low self worth, has been chasing his approval (and considering that other scene with her, it appears that to get his approval she would have needed a different education and a different job).

With all of these scenes in mind it feels a little bit like she's going to med school to prove her intelligence to other people, which is probably not a great way to live one's life. I imagine this interpretation was probably not the writer's intention but I believe it's still there. It did cross my mind that maybe the writer herself has less high opinions about kindergarten teachers and takes it for granted that no one would rather be that than a doctor (which I'm sure isn't true) and that maybe that's what's coming through in the script.

To sum it up;
it probably should've been made more clear why she wanted to go to med school, because now the only reasons she wants to go is because the film's writing is either lazy or judgmental.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

I think you described her med school intentions perfectly. She's insecure. It's not a great way to live one's life, but it certainly isn't lazy writing b/c many people actually do this.

[–] idca 9 years ago

But I feel that if the writer of the script deliberately had Lainey chase after med school as a way of proving her worth to others, why didn't the script ever explicitly deal with that? Especially at the end? Because if you and I are right about Lainey's insecurities and her med school intentions, then that means the film ended with her going to med school for the wrong reasons (which feels odd for such an otherwise idealistic romantic comedy ending).

To me it feels like the scriptwriter possibly had the intentions of developing all of this further but then never did and just let all of those bread crumbs go nowhere.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

Writer's don't have much say as to what happens once the script is sold as you seem to think they do. Writers are pretty much peasants in the movie world. I know in this case the writer was also the director so I'm guessing some studio head or the results of some focus group led to some of the things you have problems with. It felt like the happy ending was a bit forced, so I'm guessing this was a "too many chefs in the kitchen" type scenario.

People very rarely get to make the exact movie they want. Plus we don't know what got cut out (in the script or things that were shot and cut out of the film). Whenever it feels like things don't quite add up that is usually why. Probably some turd in a suit thinking he knows more than he actually does.

[–] idca 9 years ago

Actually, I saw an interview with Leslye Headland where someone asked her about why the movie ended the way it ended, and she said: "because it's a *beep* romantic comedy".

Also, don't be patronizing for no reason and assume I know less than you do. Leslye Headland wrote, directed and co-executively produced the film. So even if we're talking about "the movie world", it's pretty fair to assume she had more than just a little say in regard to the final product.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

Did she fund it herself?

If not, then everything I said is still relevant. And if I have to excuse "lazy" writing b/c of the genre then you should have to excuse lack of character depth (in one area) b/c of it too. It's only fair.

Also, don't be patronizing for no reason and assume I know less than you do.

Can I assume you are very insecure? B/c I didn't patronize you in any way shape or form, I merely pointed out that you thinking writers have 100% say over their scripts is incorrect.

You asked a question and I answered it. You seem to want to fight. Who hurt you sweetie? Oh wait, I just remembered that I don't care.

Anyway, the last word is all yours, princess. You clearly need it more. 

Be sure post a lame a$$ response. Try to keep it very brief. You want the last word, but you don't want to put a lot of effort into it.

This is such an embarassing response omg.

*EDIT: "OMG"! Did I not call that? 

[–] idca 9 years ago

Can I assume you are very insecure? B/c I didn't patronize you in any way shape or form, I merely pointed out that you thinking writers have 100% say over their scripts is incorrect.

You asked a question and I answered it. You seem to want to fight. Who hurt you sweetie? Oh wait, I just remembered that I don't care.

Anyway, the last word is all yours. You clearly need it more.

This is such an embarassing response omg.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Yup. Gonna agree.

You are so pathetic, lol. Your entire post is about how you are not a smug bitch when your very tone reeks of it.

[–] Karantino 9 years ago

It's only fresh on my mind since I recently saw it. Lainey had been taking pre-med classes, which is how she met Matthew (he was the T. A.). I think there's also a line implying she wanted to go into that field, but gave up after problems with Matthew.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

You are right. This was all explained. The OP clearly missed it. Probably talking on her phone or texting. But I'm sure she'll argue that the past has nothing to do with the present b/c it was like a decade later or something.

*EDIT: typo

[–] idca 9 years ago

The line you think about is probably when Lainey meets Jake for the first time again after those 12+ years and he asks her if she's a doctor now and she says no and tells him she's a teacher? Lainey did take pre-med classes at one point in her life, but it doesn't change her behavior more than 12 years later which is what my post is about.

[–] Karantino 9 years ago

That wasn't clear to me from your post. Not everything is spelled out, but I suppose we can infer that she's trying to move past her obsession with Matthew and return to what she was originally interested in pursuing. Why she wanted to become a doctor in the first place (as an undergrad)? That I don't know.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

but I suppose we can infer that she's trying to move past her obsession with Matthew and return to what she was originally interested in pursuing.

That's what I took from it also.

[–] ironman817 9 years ago

I am not sure how she manages med school by the end of the movie. I found that question unanswered. What do you think?

[–] idca 9 years ago

I would assume she's doing fine, since nothing else is mentioned and it would kind of ruin the happy ending if she wasn't.

[–] nnom 9 years ago

Or because teaching sucks...almost ten percent of teachers leave before their first full year is even finished...it's a thankless job. Just my two coppers.
Oh, and I loved this movie...but I'd pretty much watch Alison Brie spackle with no dialogue. She's pretty wonderful.

[–] Kariann1 9 years ago

It was obvious in a few scenes how she loves working with children! Kindergarten teachers are treasures as the classes are not what they use to be. They set the foundation for learning (even with those who have been in Preschool). Many rooms are equipped with computers. Much less playing and more school work.

Having her Bachelor's Degree made it easier to get into Med School. I don't know why she decided to attend, and I don't recall if the doctor boyfriend influenced her? The pay is better? The movie didn't seem to address it. I think she would be a GOOD pediatric doctor.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

idca says > To sum it up; it probably should've been made more clear why she wanted to go to med school, because now the only reasons she wants to go is because the film's writing is either lazy or judgmental.

Early in the movie Lainey said she was intentionally failing her pre-med courses to get extra sessions with Matthew; who she claimed to 'love'. She was an obviously disturbed young woman early on, as many are, but she only got worse over the years. She turned her life upside down for someone who didn't really care very much about her. All Matthew saw in her was an easy and accessible bed mate.

Lainey may have been good with kids but being a teacher was a role she settled into when she gave up her original dreams of going into medicine. Returning to that plan was meant to show that she had regained control of her life. It was an obstacle between her and Jake but the fact she did not give up her goals again meant she had matured. She had take care of her own needs before she could really get serious about another person; that made her less needy and annoying.

I'm not a big fan of this movie but I thought that part of it was clear. I don't think the movie meant to put down teachers but being a teacher happened to be a sore spot for Lainey. It was a constant reminder, especially around those who knew her in college, of the fact she settled for something other than what she wanted. It was symbolic of all she had given up in pursuit of the doomed relationship with Matthew.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] veil182 8 years ago

Some people are just so argumentative !

OP, you are totally correct. Med school is used as a device, rather than an actual decision/element of Elaine's character.

Sure, it could have been used to demonstrate how she'll chase after things just to impress Matt or because she has low self worth, but those things are not explored at all.

It's a great observation and one of the many things that dragged this movie into cliche territory. Also, it doesn't matter who funds your project, if you are writer, director, and executive producer, you can discuss med school a little bit if you want to.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 8 years ago

Also, it doesn't matter who funds your project...

As a writer/director/producer, I will tell you this most certainly does too matter. Way more than it should, unfortunately. 

And maybe they did talk about it but they cut it to shorten the run time? (which is another example of the writer/director/producer not having full creative control all the time).

The only time I've ever had full creative control is when it was on my dime.

[–] Kewl_Kat 8 years ago

On the other hand, in the film we learn about how much she loves teaching kids and there are even two scenes dedicated to how good she seems to be at it.

Yeah but she is only really good at teaching children when she is high on illegal drugs. She would eventually get fired if she showed up to class stoned off her ass. So by pursuing a career as a doctor, she will have access to drugs as well as hospital children. Now she can enrich their lives in a setting more suited to her preferred medicated state.

I'm a real kewl kat.🐈

[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Hmmm. Because a kindergarten teacher is indeed a very low ranking, low status job?