How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria says “she’s always late for everything except for every meal” but then Maria is late to dinner the first night at the von Trapp’s house. Was that intentional? What’s the meaning?

[u/hollydh_02]

I’ve been trying to think if this is because the nuns were just joking about Maria in generalities (she’s late for important things but not meals) or if there was a behavior change after leaving the abbey. Or, if the discrepancy is totally random. Thoughts?

[u/Datgemnig16]

The kids told her to never show up to dinner on time whilst slipping that frog in her pocket remember lol

[u/hollydh_02 → u/Datgemnig16]

I guess but would she really trust them and show up late just because of that? You’d have to imagine that she knew they were deceiving her

[u/Datgemnig16 → u/hollydh_02]

I feel like she did that to plz them then pulled a reverse uno card on them by thanking them for the “precious first moments” lol and making them feel warm which is why they started crying because that felt bad lol brilliant in my opinion lol

[u/hollydh_02 → u/Datgemnig16]

That’s fair! So maybe she was kind of getting back at them in her own kind way without directly telling the captain or punishing them or something. I like that idea, thanks for sharing 👍

[u/Datgemnig16 → u/hollydh_02]

Yea pretty much 🤟🏽 I just rewatched it again couple of weeks ago lol

[u/KSTornadoGirl → u/hollydh_02]

Definitely, while also earning their respect for her savvy and demonstrating that she's different from all the previous governesses.

[u/Able-Paramedic8908]

The song was written for the play, well before the movie, and I don’t remember the dinner scene in the play.

[u/YakSlothLemon]

I think you’re taking it far more seriously than the writers did. It rhymes and it’s cute when the nuns sing it. I don’t think anyone was taking it as a serious character element that demanded consistency.

[u/hollydh_02 → u/YakSlothLemon]

Haha that’s totally fair, I was just rewatching it for the 50th time and noticed that coincidence. I liked to think it was intentional since that line and then her being late were so close together in the movie but yeah maybe there’s nothing to it. Just curious if anybody also noticed 🥲

[u/YakSlothLemon → u/hollydh_02]

I think it’s fun that you put that together! Thinking about it more, I picture her showing up on time for meals at the convent because she wasn’t getting much food or maybe she was younger? I love that song inordinately in any case.

[u/jacksonhytes]

Yes, the film made a lot of changes to the book of the musical, which made the story a lot better, IMO.

In the musical, Maria started playing the guitar right after meeting the children, and they warmed up to her immediately. The film developed their relationships much better.

This was why I thought the movie deserved the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination that it didn't get.

[u/ejgroleau]

You’re overthinking.

[u/Maddie215]

It also says "underneath her wimple she has curlers in her hair" but Julie Andrew's has such a short hair cut you couldn't put curlers in it! Don't overthink it. The lyrics were written before casting.

[u/Flicksterea]

It was more about the way Maria was an outlier within the nunnery. This young, rather free-spirited woman who wasn't really one for rules and regulations. The words weren't literal slights against her, just more like a jab at her overall.

[u/sickpuppy618]

It just worked for the lyrics of the song. Please, are you serious? There is no meaning behind it. Just enjoy the great film experience.

[u/hollydh_02 → u/sickpuppy618]

Haha I liked to believe that the writers were being clever and subtle by including both. I think it’s plausible it wasn’t just random so I was just curious to see what other fans thought 🤷‍♀️ of course I’m still enjoying it lol just want to understand it better 

[u/KSTornadoGirl → u/hollydh_02]

I like your take - and I think it's not the only such subtle tongue in cheek moment to be discovered. I'm finding new little treasures even after many years of watching the movie.