I’ve seen the movie, many times, one of my faves. Virginia was psychotic, not just “drugged and oblivious”. She had a genuine breakdown.
ANS’s situation is way more ambiguous. I mean, you’d have to have a doctor that told the truth and in this scenario, no one tells the truth but caters to the madness. Man, that is the ultimate hell.
I don’t think Anna was a victim. I think she was amoral and had psychopathic traits. I think her connection to Danny was just plain sick- he was the caretaker (poor, sweet,kid), and when he was offed, she lost her caretaker. The fact that she left him unburied for so long, let him bloat and look so amazingly neglected and forlorn, no dignity whatsoever in his dying and post death, and while she got “married”....I’m not blaming it on any drug at this point- I think that this was Anna. Because drugs at this point mattered more to her than her son. In other words, her pain mattered more to her than her baby.
And DL was just an “HKS ANS LB grand production”- they should use a weasel (great offense to the weasel, I know) in the opening credits. I just cannot feel for Anna. The fact that her mother continues to love her is so awesome to me- I would wish for a mother like that.
What did Anna do to her kids? That’s my touchstone. Well, I’m not sorry she died; but I’m sorry a soul was wasted on this earth.
As for Virginia- she had soft humanity written all over her. Not so with ANS. I think that is a drastic and significant difference.
Thoughtful perspective.
I suppose because Anna is dead and she has paid the ultimate price, we are forgiving.
But you are correct, if Anna were still alive I would be supporting Virgie in her efforts to get Anna away from Howie & Larry & into rehab and parenting classes.....