max, the man of many interesting expressions

I think he was in favor of the marriage for pragmatic reasons - money, stature on so on. I think he likes these kids, but he's not exactly a loving father figure, is he? I would characterize his look in this scene as "ennui." He knows Elsa's not mad about the kids and I'm sure he's not surprised at the lukewarm nature of the welcome. After all, he knows the children are headed to boarding school.

I'm of a different opinion. I think Max has become aware of how much Georg cares for Maria, and of course he knows how sad the children are, but in that moment Max seems almost as if he's having an "I told you so" moment. That perhaps he'd had a small conversation with Georg of the "are you sure you want to follow through with this?" before Georg actually proposed, and Georg said that the children would be fine with it, and Max expressed his doubts. Now he's witnessing the Faux Affection Parade, and it's even worse than he feared.

eta: I do think Max enjoyed the children, as they had obvious affection and excitement when Georg said he'd be coming to visit along with the Baroness.

if max figured out what elsa did to make maria vanish, he may be of the opinion (not that he'd really care) that elsa hooked G under some false, not entirely, but some false pretense.

the children do love uncle max so they could have expressed how much they love maria and maybe let it slip that they aren't crazy about elsa. still, he holds that card close to his chest b/c when they are singing so gloomily, he asks why. duh, max, why do you think? still, he could know how the children feel. he's uncle max!

i'm not sure i buy that he knows G is really in love w/ Maria. it could be true, and in fanfic anything is possible. but i think he's too self-absorbed. although...

i can imagine a scene when max curses maria for leaving right when he was going to use her influence on G to get those kids in the festival and G just jumps all over him for daring to say anything bad about maria. and then max is all, "why do you care what i think of a little nobody that left you high and dry w/out a governess? unless..." "max! don't say another word." "you're in love..." "max, i said that is enough!" "let me put the kids in the festival and i won't utter another word about it." "utter another word and i'll have you disappear. i know where to hide bodies, i live on a lake."

ok, that got weird.

true. he might not think G is in love, especially if he thinks M is a nobody, but he certainly thinks G wants M around for whatever reason. but that gets kinda skeevy.

I do like "faux affection parade," @utility_singer, that nails it.

I know the children are fond of him, and he's fond of them too, he got them the puppet show and exchanges sympathetic looks with Liesl when G won't let them sing. But I'm a little more cynical about him. Like that "gloomy pussies" scene: he's pretty focused on that festival.

Yes, I do agree that G would instantly rise to M's defense and be offended by the idea that he has an improper interest in her. Even if he isn't officially in love with her yet, certainly he's gotten that far.


I didn't find movie Max THAT charming, but that's OK, this here's a big tent.

charming... you know. like a sponge.

so just watching the entire scene from the start when the children are playing ball with Elsa and Max is totally amused from the start... Not sure whether he is just amused at Elsa's attempt of "bonding" with the children by playing a game with them, or amused at the fact that Elsa, most unlikely mother of the year, is just about to become mother to 7 children - probably both!!

oh, i think he realizes that maria is a force to reckon with... she already got G to change his ways about a lot of things, like you said. basically, i don't know that he is sure maria would be of any help getting G to agree to anything, but if anyone could it was probably her. as for the "they just wanted to sing for me." i'm sure that was pure "not because i want them in the festival, no... not at all. right children? back me up here... uncle max just bought you a puppet show, remember... with your father's money, but nonetheless, i made it happen. you wanted to sing for me." i don't think G notices or cares what G thinks of M at this point (or any point, really). my scenario was just fun thinking...

@charleybec's thinking is why I think that expression - thanks for the gif! - is more about Max than it is anything else. Agree that he noticed the spark between M&G (Edewelss and who knows what else) and he definitely likes the children but I'm less convinced he's rooting for M&G and thinks the E&G marriage will be a mistake. But that's what's fun about fanfic, right? Who knows?

Love it. Definitely could be part of Max's thinking. "Uh-huh. OK. So they're still going forward with this? Even after everything that's been going on around here? This ought to be interesting."

The part about G reacting differently the previous 11 times just came to me last night in my fluff-writing (not about Max, especially). It's obvious but powerful. Because, yes, undoubtedly it would reflect his feelings for Maria, but also I think it has to do with how his relationship with his children has changed, as you know, that's part of how I read the coming-out-of-the-door moment.

you know, that's a great question, because I never really could buy fanfics that had him babysitting during the honeymoon. maybe he stayed on as "chaperon," or maybe did leave (he was in the wedding, though) and also hung around to try and get the kids into the festival.

i think it is an easy conclusion to make about max staying with the children during the honeymoon. and that is a very interesting idea, utility, and it does make sense. he would understand that G is in need of someone more than E is (let's face it, elsa is not going to be lonely for long). Sure, he is making sure it works out for him, too, but there might be a bit of old sentimental softy in max. down deep. waaaay down deep.

I can imagine a few pranks from the children going on while M and G were away. Glue on Max's toothbrush, snake in Max's pocket, pine come on Max's seat, lock Max in a cupboard etc... (All in good fun though)