Overview
Major spoilers ahead. Anticipated book-to-screen adaptation Verity hits theaters this week, and stars Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson aren’t shy about unpacking the themes in Colleen Hoover’s story. It follows Verity Crawford (Hathaway), a successful novelist who becomes paralysed and unable to finish her book series. Her husband, Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), hires Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) to move into their remote property and finish the last book.
When Lowen discovers a manuscript seemingly written by Verity about her life and extremely dark thoughts, she’s left wondering who really lives in the house. The big twist involves a letter that Lowen finds at the end, leaving her wondering whether the manuscript was truly Verity’s story or if it was a writing exercise. Who is the actual villain in the story: Jeremy or Verity? If we believe Jeremy, we follow a narrative that Verity needed validation and constantly sought approval from external forces.
When Lowen reads the manuscript, she feels that Verity is desperate for Jeremy’s love. “The way she’s written herself is wanting Jeremy’s approval,” Johnson tells Refinery29. “She worships him.”
Co-star Hathaway doesn’t think this type of behaviour is healthy. “I think chasing most things is probably not great. Especially something like validation, because I think that you should optimally be around people [where] you don’t have to chase it,” the actor says. “You have to know how to validate yourself.”
Johnson chimes in with an answer that sounds almost therapised. “I think chasing validation is trying to fill a void that will never be filled by validation,” she declares. “Outwardly looking for validation is never gonna give you what you’re looking for, is what I’ve learned.”
Fans have consistently debated over whether they’re Team Letter or Team Manuscript, and Hathaway openly declares she’s Team Letter, believing that Verity is the victim. “[Wanting Jeremy’s approval] was actually the part that makes me Team Letter. And that whole thing about playing games with him, that to me was like a big red flag,” Hathaway says.
I think chasing validation is trying to fill a void that will never be filled by validation.
Details
The actor thinks we need to learn to be content without relying on others’ opinions. While you might not be happy with the results of what you’re doing, and may not receive all the accolades you wanted, it’s key to be proud that you tried and did your best.
“I will see value in that. It’s not necessarily about having the best outcome; it’s more about [if] you were proud of the person you were along the way,” she explains.
Verity is in theaters October 2nd.
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Source
Originally published at www.refinery29.com.