Alice Hyatt (Ellen Burstyn) is a widow who wants to move back to her home town, Monterrey, by the end of the summer. On the way home, she tries to find a job and to earn some money. She wants to make an impression on potential employers, so she gets her hair styled and buys a new dress. The beauty products she uses reinforce the idea of a woman who wants to make an impression.
On a table of the motel room where she’s staying with her son Tommy (Alfred Lutter III), we can see some luxury items.
The black and red round bottles with gold stoppers are perfumed talcs by Lanvin, respectively Arpege and My Sin.
The tall glass bottle is the trademark container of Lucien Lelong fragrances. This one, with the black label, is for Opening Night cologne.
I was wondering why the movie prop masters selected these items for the character. She’s struggling with her current life situation, with a “very weird” kid and with money; for these reasons, it’s clear Lanvin talcs (two of them!) and the Lelong perfume are symbols of a wealthier past.
