"My Fair Lady" Gets #MeTooEnding Spoiler Alert!

[Solemateleft]

I took my daughter to the Kennedy Center last night to see the latest Broadway production of 'My Fair Lady'...
And While I found the show amazing, the ending had a subtle twist/ending that completely caught me off guard...

‘My Fair Lady’ Finally Gets Its #MeToo Ending. Somewhere, George Bernard Shaw Is Applauding

My Fair Lady, American musical film, released in 1964, that was adapted from the long-running Broadway musical of the same name and proved to be a great popular and critical success. The movie, which starred Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, won eight Academy Awards, including that for best picture.

This review contains spoilers. If you don’t want to know what happens at the end of this new production of My Fair Lady, stop reading now.

The majestic My Fair Lady has been given a #MeToo makeover. Or, more accurately, it has reclaimed the ending that George Bernard Shaw intended for Pygmalion, the play it is based on, in 1913.

The “happy” ending that producers would try to fix to Pygmalion, and which My Fair Lady—originally staged in 1956—enshrined, with Eliza and Higgins together, has been jettisoned.

You can read the review linked above (with Spoiler Alert) to understand the touted rationale for the ending...

I love taking my daughter to the Theater as she is a budding Musical Theater Major at GMU and she is simply a brilliant genius when it comes to discussing and dissecting the inner working theater, plays, movies plots, characters etc...

While I acknowledge the absolute value of Eliza learning to stand alone as her new found independent woman... I felt that the ending had fallen flat on two or three fronts as it involves relationships...

1 - The show emphasizes her toxic relationship with her father, only to lead us almost tease us that by the end of the movie both her and her father have shown so much growth and maturing as people - that we are still left hanging... At the end he offers her an olive branch invitation to his upcoming wedding - only to be denied... There is no closer between this father daughter relationship...

2 - Freddy is the poor guy that falls madly in love with her as he is genuinely taken by her unique spirit and personality... He hopelessly sings, writes and attempts to whew her... to no avail... As it would seem that her heart is set on ultimately earning Professor Higgins approval and respect...

3 - Of course Professor Higgins is a pompous arrogant personality that does not completely appreciate and respect Eliza as a woman until she has run away... He seems to show tremendous growth potential - in having learned his lesson...

In the 1956 Broadway production and the 1964 Movie ... As he is consoling himself, listening to tapes of her speaking lessons, she returns.

Only in this new production, she returns - only to Leave as a symbol of her pursuing her independence...

So question/comments for the CC Forum to ponder and respond:

While this ending is fantastic for showcasing that people do not need to be dependent upon others, not do they have to be compelled to jump into relationships for potentially the wrong reasons...
- What does it say about the ability two people to grow and overcome their individual struggles and weaknesses in order to be able to make necessary compromises for relationships to persevere?
- In this day and age, is the Independence message a better message given the increased trend toward broken marriages and broken marriages?
- Or in this day and age, is the ability for both a man and woman to recognize their personal issues and acknowledged growth as a means to learn how to make a relationship work with mutual respect and appreciation - a more profound message that our society is in need of hearing at this time?

Note: I can certainly appreciate the @MeTooEnding reference especially given our recent discussions on narcissism and the need to exit such toxic relationships... But, we can't help but see that even Professor Higgins might just have it within him to grow as a person as well... Maybe not, maybe that is just my wishful thinking - hoping for that romantic happily ever after ending...

Thoughts?

 

[Kojikun]

I took my daughter to the Kennedy Center last night to see the latest Broadway production of 'My Fair Lady'...
And While I found the show amazing, the ending had a subtle twist/ending that completely caught me off guard...

‘My Fair Lady’ Finally Gets Its #MeToo Ending. Somewhere, George Bernard Shaw Is Applauding

My Fair Lady, American musical film, released in 1964, that was adapted from the long-running Broadway musical of the same name and proved to be a great popular and critical success. The movie, which starred Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, won eight Academy Awards, including that for best picture.

This review contains spoilers. If you don’t want to know what happens at the end of this new production of My Fair Lady, stop reading now.

The majestic My Fair Lady has been given a #MeToo makeover. Or, more accurately, it has reclaimed the ending that George Bernard Shaw intended for Pygmalion, the play it is based on, in 1913.

The “happy” ending that producers would try to fix to Pygmalion, and which My Fair Lady—originally staged in 1956—enshrined, with Eliza and Higgins together, has been jettisoned.

You can read the review linked above (with Spoiler Alert) to understand the touted rationale for the ending...

I love taking my daughter to the Theater as she is a budding Musical Theater Major at GMU and she is simply a brilliant genius when it comes to discussing and dissecting the inner working theater, plays, movies plots, characters etc...

While I acknowledge the absolute value of Eliza learning to stand alone as her new found independent woman... I felt that the ending had fallen flat on two or three fronts as it involves relationships...

1 - The show emphasizes her toxic relationship with her father, only to lead us almost tease us that by the end of the movie both her and her father have shown so much growth and maturing as people - that we are still left hanging... At the end he offers her an olive branch invitation to his upcoming wedding - only to be denied... There is no closer between this father daughter relationship...

2 - Freddy is the poor guy that falls madly in love with her as he is genuinely taken by her unique spirit and personality... He hopelessly sings, writes and attempts to whew her... to no avail... As it would seem that her heart is set on ultimately earning Professor Higgins approval and respect...

3 - Of course Professor Higgins is a pompous arrogant personality that does not completely appreciate and respect Eliza as a woman until she has run away... He seems to show tremendous growth potential - in having learned his lesson...

In the 1956 Broadway production and the 1964 Movie ... As he is consoling himself, listening to tapes of her speaking lessons, she returns.

Only in this new production, she returns - only to Leave as a symbol of her pursuing her independence...

So question/comments for the CC Forum to ponder and respond:

While this ending is fantastic for showcasing that people do not need to be dependent upon others, not do they have to be compelled to jump into relationships for potentially the wrong reasons...
- What does it say about the ability two people to grow and overcome their individual struggles and weaknesses in order to be able to make necessary compromises for relationships to persevere?
- In this day and age, is the Independence message a better message given the increased trend toward broken marriages and broken marriages?
- Or in this day and age, is the ability for both a man and woman to recognize their personal issues and acknowledged growth as a means to learn how to make a relationship work with mutual respect and appreciation - a more profound message that our society is in need of hearing at this time?

Note: I can certainly appreciate the @MeTooEnding reference especially given our recent discussions on narcissism and the need to exit such toxic relationships... But, we can't help but see that even Professor Higgins might just have it within him to grow as a person as well... Maybe not, maybe that is just my wishful thinking - hoping for that romantic happily ever after ending...

Thoughts?

Gotta love the "Strong and Independent" who are triggered by every opinion the opposite sex has. Can people just leave old movies alone without viewing them through a narrow social political lense? 🤢

 

[cinder]

I think it a mistake to view or portray the relationship between Eliza and the professor as primarily influenced by gender when social class and economic position had a whole lot to do with it as well. At the time it was written (and in certain sections of society still) it was pretty common to think of certain people as servant classes who it was more or less acceptable for rich people to treat like the worst person now treats the waitress who messes things up. Also I find it interesting that the "makeover" is really just restoring the original ending from the book.

And yes I think especially our younger generations are in danger of having "don't put up with people treating you poorly" turn into "don't put up with people not giving in to your every wish and desire in a relationship". Maybe we should start telling people that if you're acting like you're the most important person in a relationship then you're doing it wrong.

 

[17Bees]

Being as I have some experience in the lower class, I believe Eliza figured it's better to dance all night than dumpster dive for dinner. Smart girl the way I look at it, opportunity knocking and all. I'd still like to hear @She_is_Legendary response given her avatar.

 

[She_is_Legendary]

Being as I have some experience in the lower class, I believe Eliza figured it's better to dance all night than dumpster dive for dinner. Smart girl the way I look at it, opportunity knocking and all. I'd still like to hear @She_is_Legendary response given her avatar.

She is my kind of lady for sure, not many actresses like her anymore... she was beautiful up till the day she died and she was so elegant.

 

[Solemateleft]

Thanks for the feedback folks...
@Kojikun - I agree... I was fine last night after discussing the play, production, casting, ending and messaging... That was I thought I was fine with it - until I read this review with the @MeTooEnding reference and at that point I realized that maybe the ending was changed for all the wrong reasons... as you suggested it does seem to infer a political message...
@17Bees Me Too... lol - Yes I too hope that @She_is_Legendary provides a response given Aubrey Hepburn's Classic role in the 1965 Movie... My only personal issue with the dance reference, is while I do appreciate it as a healthy almost therapeutic surrogate for happiness... At the end of the day Happiness is a choice and a decision... Dance is only an activity that can be done with anyone...
@cinder I always appreciate and respect your valued and well thought out perspective and insight here on the forum and your response here holds true once again... Agree. In fact when I was discussing this with my daughter and we recognized the timing of the 4 time-frames 1913-Book, 1956-Play, 1964 Movie, and 2020-Play - we tried to put into perspective the relative messaging that was warranted for each of those respective times... I can imagine that the timing of the 1913 Book that it was essential for Men to begin to learn to better appreciate and respect women... By the time the 1956-Play and 1964-Movie were coming out the Man & Woman relationships had already persevered four almost five decades to include the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's...
Coincidentally, it was my parents husband-wife era of the late 50's and mid 60's for which the Happy-Ending was aptly changed - as it was that generation who was seemingly better apt at striving to find was of enduring or ensuring relationships persevered thru compromise, appreciation and respect...

Here we are in 2020, and my take on the new production is that if we are going to take liberties with such a classic production lets at least rationalize the adjustments for a meaningful message for today's societal issues...

So, yes - while the @Metoo movement is a mark on our times - this story line has nothing to do with that theme or message...

In my helpless romantic compromise - I could see given the 3 hour production - an opportunity to deliver both messages at the same time... Show the relevance of the need for woman (men too) to be able to be independent and not be dependent upon someone else to complete them... The could have been done in the play, by affording Eliza that opportunity... But at the same time, it would not have been difficult to add a scene or two to demonstrate Prof Higgins ability to demonstrate actionable signs of his love, commitment and willingness to make his own sacrifices to prove his love, appreciation and respect for her as a new woman...

 

[Solemateleft]

She is my kind of lady for sure, not many actresses like her anymore... she was beautiful up till the day she died and she was so elegant.

No doubt, the gal that played her role Eliza in the Broadway tour production of 'My Fair Lady' was Shereen Ahmed - and she was amazing in all aspects of elegance, grace and beauty... and wow - what an amazing voice...

 

[17Bees]

Thanks for the feedback folks...
@Kojikun - I agree... I was fine last night after discussing the play, production, casting, ending and messaging... That was I thought I was fine with it - until I read this review with the @MeTooEnding reference and at that point I realized that maybe the ending was changed for all the wrong reasons... as you suggested it does seem to infer a political message...
@17Bees Me Too... lol - Yes I too hope that @She_is_Legendary provides a response given Aubrey Hepburn's Classic role in the 1965 Movie... My only personal issue with the dance reference, is while I do appreciate it as a healthy almost therapeutic surrogate for happiness... At the end of the day Happiness is a choice and a decision... Dance is only an activity that can be done with anyone...

Well, happiness may be a choice for you, but it's a bowl of soup for others.

 

[Solemateleft]

Well, happiness may be a choice for you, but it's a bowl of soup for others.

Thanks for the friendly hip-check... I apologize if I may have come across as horribly insensitive to those who come from humble origins... As I do find it commendable that even those it of humble means are able to find the means to be happy with the little things that life has to offer them via: family, song, worship, celebration, tradition, soup etc... My interpretation of all those examples, remains that it remains their 'decision' to be happy - doing the best they can with what they have...
My comment regarding my personal reference to 'dance' - is that there are too many persons in today's society that do not necessarily come from humble origins he seek 'dance' as a surrogate means to obtain their happiness... In the examples I speak of - their pursuit of dance is unfortunately, misplaced...
In the examples I speak of, their choices and decisions for dance as their priority for personal happiness ultimately ruined their family and marriage...

 

[17Bees]

It's all good. I don't remember where I got this quote but it was a film about Viet Nam and a journalist was interviewing some American soldiers asking why the Vietnamese people hated Americans so much. One soldier replied "I guess they'd rather eat than be free....poor dumb fools".

 

[Solemateleft]

It's all good. I don't remember where I got this quote but it was a film about Viet Nam and a journalist was interviewing some American soldiers asking why the Vietnamese people hated Americans so much. One soldier replied "I guess they'd rather eat than be free....poor dumb fools".

Reminds me of our pejorative reference as Ugly Americans abroad...
"Ugly American" is a stereotype depicting American citizens as exhibiting loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless, ignorant, and ethnocentric behavior mainly abroad, but also at home.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Although the term is usually associated with or applied to travelers and tourists, it also applies to U.S. corporate businesses in the international arena... wikipedia...

 

[17Bees]

Reminds me of our pejorative reference as Ugly Americans abroad...
"Ugly American" is a stereotype depicting American citizens as exhibiting loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless, ignorant, and ethnocentric behavior mainly abroad, but also at home.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Although the term is usually associated with or applied to travelers and tourists, it also applies to U.S. corporate businesses in the international arena... wikipedia...

To me, that quote goes deeper than ethnocenric behavior. It was mimicking ethnocentric behavior by the soldier. It all goes back to the concept of Sec. of Defense Robert McNamarra's so called Folly or McNammar's Misfits or McNamarra's Morons during the VN war - it was the Dept. of Defense idea of supplying numbers of troops to VietNam who were below medical or intellectul standards, most of whom were also poor. They were called grunts, and one of these grunts interviewed mimicked the insensitivity of the higher class by stating the obvious (to him) by saying "they'd rather eat then be free" - then he called the Vietnamese "poor dumb fools" because it was an actual slight to people like Robert McNamarra who completed missed the value poor people placed on simple existence. He was making a joke, but on American people. Not the Vietnamese.

 

[Solemateleft]

To me, that quote goes deeper than ethnocenric behavior. It was mimicking ethnocentric behavior by the soldier. It all goes back to the concept of Sec. of Defense Robert McNamarra's so called Folly or McNammar's Misfits or McNamarra's Morons during the VN war - it was the Dept. of Defense idea of supplying numbers of troops to VietNam who were below medical or intellectul standards, most of whom were also poor. They were called grunts, and one of these grunts interviewed mimicked the insensitivity of the higher class by stating the obvious (to him) by saying "they'd rather eat then be free" - then he called the Vietnamese "poor dumb fools" because it was an actual slight to people like Robert McNamarra who completed missed the value poor people placed on simple existence. He was making a joke, but on American people. Not the Vietnamese.

lol... I R a grunt...

 

[Lanolin]

I only saw the Audrey Hepburn film so cant really comment on the live production.

I think the original play (Pygamalion) tried to show a svengali-tribly type relationship.

But they dont come as equals in the first place so it is a rather unequally yoked relationship. Professor Higgins grows accustomed to her face but he doesnt treat Eliza as an equal but as a bet. I think its pretty sad for Eliza.

It only really worked on screen with Audrey Hepburn because nobody really believed she could be a cockney flower seller in the first place. To be more realistic, or for comedy, you might have to cast somebody like Dawn French in the role.

 

[Lanolin]

Rex Harrison in the movie doesnt grow, he just has a scene where he gets a little introspective for like a minute, and then is happy he won the bet. I wouldnt have stuck around if I was Eliza.

Hollywood just has silly endings. Why would anyone realistically want to actually stay in that kind of toxic relationship? I dont like the way you talk. If I were Eliza I would have taught him a few words of cockney and placed my own bet wether he could pull it off.

 

[Solemateleft]

Rex Harrison in the movie doesnt grow, he just has a scene where he gets a little introspective for like a minute, and then is happy he won the bet. I wouldnt have stuck around if I was Eliza.

Good points, your recollection of the movie rendition is obviously better than mine, and I trust you are correct. That being said, the adjusted outcome makes perfect sense.
Albeit, I can't help but assume that as long as we're going to take creative license, let's revamp what is needed for the times...
Agree the critical need to showcase growth for the strong independent woman... I just can't help but see the need to showcase the need for the strong minded male persona to equally learn growth to appreciate, respect and a willingness to demonstrate personal sacrifice and compromise as a positive example for what it takes to actually make any relationship work out...
Maybe there should be a sequel... Lol... As we are left with Eliza not having a future relationship with her father, Freddy or Higgins...

 

[KhedetOrthos]

Thoughts?

Growth, personal fulfillment, independence aren’t the goals of the Christian life. Theosis is.

 

[TabinRivCA]

I took my daughter to the Kennedy Center last night to see the latest Broadway production of 'My Fair Lady'...
And While I found the show amazing, the ending had a subtle twist/ending that completely caught me off guard...

‘My Fair Lady’ Finally Gets Its #MeToo Ending. Somewhere, George Bernard Shaw Is Applauding

My Fair Lady, American musical film, released in 1964, that was adapted from the long-running Broadway musical of the same name and proved to be a great popular and critical success. The movie, which starred Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, won eight Academy Awards, including that for best picture.

This review contains spoilers. If you don’t want to know what happens at the end of this new production of My Fair Lady, stop reading now.

The majestic My Fair Lady has been given a #MeToo makeover. Or, more accurately, it has reclaimed the ending that George Bernard Shaw intended for Pygmalion, the play it is based on, in 1913.

The “happy” ending that producers would try to fix to Pygmalion, and which My Fair Lady—originally staged in 1956—enshrined, with Eliza and Higgins together, has been jettisoned.

You can read the review linked above (with Spoiler Alert) to understand the touted rationale for the ending...

I love taking my daughter to the Theater as she is a budding Musical Theater Major at GMU and she is simply a brilliant genius when it comes to discussing and dissecting the inner working theater, plays, movies plots, characters etc...

While I acknowledge the absolute value of Eliza learning to stand alone as her new found independent woman... I felt that the ending had fallen flat on two or three fronts as it involves relationships...

1 - The show emphasizes her toxic relationship with her father, only to lead us almost tease us that by the end of the movie both her and her father have shown so much growth and maturing as people - that we are still left hanging... At the end he offers her an olive branch invitation to his upcoming wedding - only to be denied... There is no closer between this father daughter relationship...

2 - Freddy is the poor guy that falls madly in love with her as he is genuinely taken by her unique spirit and personality... He hopelessly sings, writes and attempts to whew her... to no avail... As it would seem that her heart is set on ultimately earning Professor Higgins approval and respect...

3 - Of course Professor Higgins is a pompous arrogant personality that does not completely appreciate and respect Eliza as a woman until she has run away... He seems to show tremendous growth potential - in having learned his lesson...

In the 1956 Broadway production and the 1964 Movie ... As he is consoling himself, listening to tapes of her speaking lessons, she returns.

Only in this new production, she returns - only to Leave as a symbol of her pursuing her independence...

So question/comments for the CC Forum to ponder and respond:

While this ending is fantastic for showcasing that people do not need to be dependent upon others, not do they have to be compelled to jump into relationships for potentially the wrong reasons...
- What does it say about the ability two people to grow and overcome their individual struggles and weaknesses in order to be able to make necessary compromises for relationships to persevere?
- In this day and age, is the Independence message a better message given the increased trend toward broken marriages and broken marriages?
- Or in this day and age, is the ability for both a man and woman to recognize their personal issues and acknowledged growth as a means to learn how to make a relationship work with mutual respect and appreciation - a more profound message that our society is in need of hearing at this time?

Note: I can certainly appreciate the @MeTooEnding reference especially given our recent discussions on narcissism and the need to exit such toxic relationships... But, we can't help but see that even Professor Higgins might just have it within him to grow as a person as well... Maybe not, maybe that is just my wishful thinking - hoping for that romantic happily ever after ending...

Thoughts?

To your point, my son who likes the classics, saw 'Little Women' w/M Streep and said it was a disappointment. Leave it to Hollyweird to switch out meaningful stories by noted authors. It seems there is a general sense of down-grading the minds of viewers.
However, yesterday at church, Pastor Greg Laurie announced they were looking for extras for the up and coming movie 'Jesus Revolution' to be aired early 2021. It's about the 70's Jesus explosion, I might be in it, lol!

 

[Solemateleft]

To your point, my son who likes the classics, saw 'Little Women' w/M Streep and said it was a disappointment. Leave it to Hollyweird to switch out meaningful stories by noted authors. It seems there is a general sense of down-grading the minds of viewers.
However, yesterday at church, Pastor Greg Laurie announced they were looking for extras for the up and coming movie 'Jesus Revolution' to be aired early 2021. It's about the 70's Jesus explosion, I might be in it, lol!

That's awesome, where are they filming for 'Jesus Revolution'? always keeping my eyes out for potential opportunities for my daughter... Thanks for you contribution to the thread ...

 

[Solemateleft]

Growth, personal fulfillment, independence aren’t the goals of the Christian life. Theosis is.

Right... wouldn't that be the dream - to conform the theatrical community to such an aspiring transformational manifestation.