The Patriot Cast: Joely Richardson

In The Patriot
Joely Richardson's portrayal of Charlotte Selton is hard to comment on, because the character is mostly just a plot device. She gives Benjamin Martin a place to put his younger children when he goes off to war. Her character is described as a strong, independent woman, but she is simply a surrogate mother in the movie, which means that she needs a man to complete the family.

Even the developments late in the movie between her and Benjamin have only a couple of glimpses (literally) of foreshadowing. It feels as though there must be additional scenes between Benjamin and Charlotte out there. However, after reading early versions of the script, the character was never given much to do and felt tacked on even then.

Charlotte is almost two characters. She is very sure and confident with the children, but her supposed independence and strength all but disappears in the scenes with Benjamin. All of the scenes between Charlotte and Benjamin felt forced and awkward. It would probably be argued by the filmmakers that the scenes were meant to be that way, but even after the "payoff" between Charlotte and Benjamin, it's a bit of a mystery. Do they have real affection for one another or is the whole relationship a matter of practicality for a widowed society woman and a widowed father of several children?

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