The Very Thought of You (1999) Plot Summary Explained

Janet's mother disapproved of her daughter dating a military man who would often be away. This was fueled by the presence of Molly, Janet's sister, who was unfaithful to her sailor husband, and Janet's brother who had been classified 4-F. The mother associated Dave with the same instability and uncertainty that military service brought to relationships.

Foreshadowing: Earlier at dinner, the mother's cold reception and the tension in the room hinted at deeper family issues beyond Dave himself.

• janet family
• dave
• military boyfriend
• thanksgiving dinner
• family disapproval

Molly showed disdain for Dave throughout the film and actively tried to sabotage Janet's relationship with him. By intercepting the letters, she attempted to create distance between the newlyweds and maintain control over her sister's life, reflecting her broader hostile attitude toward the marriage.

Foreshadowing: Molly's rudeness at the Thanksgiving dinner and her own infidelity established her as someone opposed to genuine romantic commitment.

• molly
• intercepted letters
• dave
• janet
• marriage sabotage

Dave and Janet connected rapidly because they had known each other from Dave's school days, giving them an existing foundation. Their limited time together before Dave's deployment to the Pacific Theater created urgency. Despite the cold reception from Janet's family, they seized moments together during Thanksgiving leave, leading to a quick marriage before Dave reported for duty.

Foreshadowing: Ellie, the younger sister, noticed the chemistry between them and orchestrated a secret date, showing how obvious their connection was from the start.

• dave
• janet
• quick marriage
• war romance
• deployment

When news arrived that Dave and Fixit had been injured in combat, the family realized the gravity of Dave's military service and the real danger he faced. This shifted their perspective from viewing him as an inconvenient soldier to recognizing him as a man willing to sacrifice his safety for his country. The threat of losing him altogether made the family soften their stance.

Foreshadowing: The family's earlier disapproval seemed trivial compared to the very real possibility of Dave not returning home at all.

• dave injury
• family reconciliation
• war news
• changing attitudes

Molly's transformation occurred when she learned about Dave and Fixit's injuries. The reality of war and the danger facing Janet's husband made her reflect on her own marriage. She pleaded with her husband Fred for forgiveness, showing that the news prompted her to value her own relationship and stop sabotaging Janet's.

Foreshadowing: Molly's own infidelity and harsh treatment of Dave stemmed from her own marital unhappiness, which the injury news helped her confront.

• molly
• attitude change
• forgiveness
• husband fred
• family reconciliation

Janet moved into Cora's apartment to gain independence from her hostile family environment, particularly the ongoing conflict with Molly. She wanted to build her own life with Dave and escape the toxic household while waiting for Dave to return from deployment. This decision represented her commitment to her marriage despite her family's disapproval.

Foreshadowing: The tensions at Thanksgiving dinner and Molly's interception of letters made clear that Janet could not rely on her family for support.

• janet
• cora apartment
• independence
• family conflict
• moving out

The Aleutian campaign was a real World War II theater where American forces fought Japanese forces in the Aleutian Islands, including Attu Island. Dave and Fixit spent two years in this harsh, cold environment before returning stateside. This background establishes why their return was so meaningful and why their subsequent deployment to the Pacific weighed heavily on Janet.

Foreshadowing: The reference to "cold storage" on Attu Island hints at the difficult, isolating conditions they endured.

• aleutian campaign
• attu island
• world war 2
• military service
• pacific theater

When Janet discovered she was pregnant, the situation with Molly intensified. Molly's existing hostility toward Dave and the marriage worsened because the pregnancy made Janet's commitment to Dave even more permanent. This threatened Molly's control over the family dynamic and her own position within it.

Foreshadowing: Molly's earlier interception of letters showed she was already trying to break up the marriage before the pregnancy added another complication.

• janet pregnancy
• molly conflict
• family tension
• baby
• married couple

The secret date to Mount Wilson on Thanksgiving morning was arranged by Ellie, Janet's younger sister, who recognized the strong chemistry between Janet and Dave. Despite the hostile environment at home, this date gave them precious time together and deepened their bond. It was a turning point that made them realize they didn't want to say goodbye.

Foreshadowing: Ellie's observation of their connection from the dinner table led her to take this initiative, showing how even in a disapproving family, there were supporters.

• mount wilson
• thanksgiving
• secret date
• ellie
• romantic moment

When Janet traveled to San Diego to meet Dave, they had difficulty finding accommodations due to the war. Hotels were either full or inaccessible to military families. This circumstance forced them to sleep on the beach, but the experience only strengthened their bond as they faced challenges together.

Foreshadowing: This hardship reflected the broader difficulties military families faced during wartime, separating them from normal civilian life.

• san diego
• beach
• housing
• wartime
• meeting accommodations