I watched this movie over and over again, and all three women were in deep pain of "getting nothing" and trying to find a way out. Virginia has a husband who understands her, tolerates her, is patient and talented, but in her heart, the relationship with her husband may be more like a confidant. The movie shows Virginia's attachment to her sister with a kiss, but the sister finally chose her own family and children and did not respond to Virginia. Virginia realizes that what she wants (perhaps living with her two sisters, or developing an exciting career in turbulent London) is not available in her life, and she chooses death in desperation.
Like Virginia, Laura Brown has a wonderful family, a considerate husband and a sensible son, but Laura is out of tune with her own life, and her dissatisfaction with life cannot even be hidden in front of her children. The movie describes Laura's kiss with her female neighbor, but for this kiss, I am more inclined to understand it as Laura's test for a different life. In the optimistic and beautiful female neighbor, Laura seems to be able to see the love of life, but unfortunately, the female neighbor died of illness. Laura, who projected her female neighbors as her feelings, finally broke down. Like Virginia, Laura once thought about using death to escape the pain of life, but she did not commit suicide in the end for the sake of her children. Later, we all know that after the child was born, she left the family without hesitation to find the life she wanted, even if she was destined to suffer the hatred of the child and the condemnation of her conscience. Of course, the director finally arranged for a child to give Laura a hug, and life finally gave her some understanding and forgiveness.
Clarissa Vogan is more fortunate than the first two heroines. She lives in a more free era where people can freely choose the life they want. She has a lovely same-sex partner, a sensible daughter, many confidants and friends, and a successful career. The only thing that made her feel uneasy was her uncertainty about her self-worth. The uncertainty erupted after Richard's ex-boyfriend arrived. And her friend, confidant and ex-boyfriend Richard were seriously ill, and before committing suicide, she chose to help "Mrs. Dai Luowei" to solve the magic barrier in her heart. Mrs. Dai Luowei came home and finally figured it out, so she kissed her lover. I prefer to understand this kiss as Mrs. Dai Luowei's gratitude for life, love and everything.
Three women, one wants a lover/career, one wants freedom, and one wants the realization of self-worth. They have chosen different ways to face the pain of "not getting what they want", and then subtly affect others. Maybe when many people think about their own life and value, they have had such moments of confusion, despair or gratitude. Therefore, although the film calmly narrates the story of the three women, it is deeply empathetic in the details. If anyone doesn't understand the core of what the film is trying to convey, the director at the end of the film uses a letter written by Virginia to her husband to reveal the main point of the film:
"always to look life in the face, and to know it for what it is. at last, to love it for what it is, and then to put it away."
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