Originally Posted by
Noor 7ayaty
It's been so many years ago .. so far all posters have left out a very important detail. At the time of the accident, Walken and Wood were filming a movie called "Brainstorm." They had not finished filming Natalie's scenes. In fact the movie story-line had to be somewhat adapted due to the scenes that Natalie had not done. It significantly affected the ending, according to the studio, but I never recall them stating in what way (perhaps for hope of sequel, who knows).
I think you will find part of your answer by looking at this movie. I've watched it a few times, and Walken/character seemed genuinely passionately in love with Wood/character. I'd seen most if not all of Walken's screenwork up to that date, and his romantic persona was never evident before and I have never seen him take such a role since. I have always believed that either they were falling in love, allowing a similar feeling (method acting) to have free reign to give their characters depth, or at the very least developing a genuine closeness.
The screen chemistry seems uncannily 'unlike' acting, and Walken's role, so out of the norm for him -- romantic love affair. To me, Wood just wasn't that good an actress, so I was a bit intrigued at how she seemed totally into her part in the film.
There was testimony that yes, an argument was overheard. I believe Wagner either suspected them of having an affair or was upset at how well that chemistry appeared, even if he were mistaken. Wood was well known for her fear of water, being quoted on the topic multiple times. The only thing more frightening than being in water is being in water at night. If Wood was toasted, I think it would make her just that much more frightened to attempt to leave in the dinghy, which is what some speculated she tried to do.
In short I think the married couple argued, she put on a coat so that they could take their convo farther away from Chris, topside. I have always believed that Wagner saw her go in even if he didn't push her (which is possible too, crime of passion) and allowed her to drown, thus saving a *lot* of divorce issues AND ensuring fans would have sympathy for the poor Widower Wagner. He didn't sound genuine to me after she died, and no matter how hard he played that 'Natalie was my world' stuff, Jill St. John was on the scene so soon afterward.
If you'll recall, Wagner and St. John waited quite the while to marry. I think the only reason Wagner delayed it so long was just to bolster his 'grieving' image. I don't think he planned it aforehand, but saw in an instant how it solved so many things that were bothering him, and yes, whether Wood and Walken were having an affair or not, I think he fell for that onscreen chemistry they had, and was mad as all hell about it.
Even down to the last minute before marrying he kept insisting he didn't want to marry again, however it was very obvious his new relationship (new?) had remained intact from the time it became public. I never felt sincerity from him in those statements. Nope.