Question: I've been reading fan-fictions of The Phantom of The Opera, and most fan-fictions - when in the phantom's (Erik's) POV (Point Of View) - say the word 'fop' describing Raoul, I'm wondering why?
Question: Many years ago, I saw on TV (while I was in Florida before 2004) another film version of Phantom of the Opera where Minnie Driver played the role of Christine Daae. I remember being surprised because I did not know she could sing. Clearly, she later played the role of Carlotta in Joel Schumacher film version. But what version was that film where she played Christine? I have been trying to find that version but have been unable to do so.
Chosen answer: Minnie Driver was born in 1970 in London, England. A search of IMDb.com yields four film and television productions of "Phantom" between 1970 and 2004. The 1983 TV Film was not a remake of the original musical, and there is no character named Christine (even if there were, it is unlikely she would have been played by a 13 year-old actress) In the other productions, the role of Christine was portrayed by (in chronological order) : Jill Schoelen (1989), Terri Polo (1990, TV), and Asia Argento (1998, Italy) Minnie Driver's IMDb oeuvre also does not list any other production of "Phantom" beside the 2004 film. Further, though Minnie Driver is an accomplished singer (she sings the original song, "Learn To Be Lonely" over the credits of "Phantom"), she is not a trained opera singer. In fact, her opera singing in "Phantom" was dubbed by Margaret Preece. As such, it is unlikely Minnie Driver ever portrayed Christine Daae in any version of "Phantom of the Opera".
Chosen answer: A "fop" is defined as a man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; a dandy who often lives beyond his means. There is also a connotation of femininity or homosexual tendency, or at least a lack of sexual virility that (sadly) is considered one of the worst slurs available to a rival for the affections of a woman. And let's face it - Raoul, much like many of the men of his time and of a certain status, is required by societal norms to be well dressed, well groomed, well presented, well educated and, apparently, a tenor. Raoul certainly fits the bill. Erik, though certainly a man of breeding and finesse, is denied a place in polite society, whether ultimately he would want it or not if not driven to the dark recesses of homicidal madness by (also sadly) only the presence of disfiguring scars. The term "fop" seems the descriptor that not only rings with a kernel of truth, but also best sums up Erik's anger, disdain and, perhaps, jealousy.
Michael Albert