Is Pre-Nup a comic drama or a serious comedy? Perhaps it's both. In either case PreNup gives actors a great deal of scope to play with, and how it's played will be up to each group's interpretation. Anna's obvious outrage requires that the actor must fill this obligation with intensity and dismay. It is clear Daniel's parents have mistreated her and we find it hard to believe that he has just stood by and let it happen. Daniel's compliance and half-hearted apology for his parent's behaviour adds to Anna's frustration. What sort of guy is he? Daniel it seems was born with the proverbial 'silver spoon'. He must know that to be with a girl like Anna, will pose a threat to his parents in some way. The scene reports on bigotry and how it affects two people's lives. We do not witness it but observe its affects on their relationship. Daniel's position and apparent inability to defend Anna gives us clues of his character. Is he dominated by his parents and simply compliant to their idiosyncrasy's? Does he find their position acceptable? Or is he more calculating than this, knowing that tolerating their abuse will ensure he receives their inheritance. Perhaps it doesn't occur to him - the actor developing this scene will no doubt discover for himself if Daniel is naive or calculating or just weak. Perhaps the ambiguity of Daniel's position is what fuels Anna's predicament. Anna is in the firing line. She states clearly that she does not want Daniel for his money. For her, signing a Pre Nuptial agreement implies suspicion? She has been mistreated; she has every right to be outraged. Anna spent a fortnight's wage on the dress she wore to meet Daniel's parents. She went to a great deal of trouble. Perhaps this provides us with a clue on Anna's position. If we take everything she says at face value; she loves the guy not his money, what else could this be for her? Perhaps she is deeply hurt because she wanted to be accepted by Daniel's parents. Being included in the family circle may hold a great deal of importance for Anna. Don't we all just want to belong, to be included and respected? Daniel not only didn't defend her, he led her into a trap - at the end of the day Daniel knew his parents capacity for bigotry and he didn't give Anna the 'heads up'. Anna had a set of expectations and these were severely disappointed. (See Defeated Expectations) If Daniel had been up-front from the get go this situation would never have occurred. |