Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on August 18, 2006 at 10:25:17

In Reply to: Rather that speaking of what is normal, how about some examples of abnormal? posted by Victor Khomenko on August 18, 2006 at 07:53:07:

"We could start easy, but on a truly idiotic note - the Hollywood (and American) obsesssion with winning underdogs"

You mean like during the revolutionary war when those guys in tattered trousers, with almost no military experience, and little education, and mostly unorganized, defeated a larger force of well trained, well educated, well organized soldiers? You call it an obsession. What percentage of Hollywood films deal with the underdog? I guess I'd like to know what you mean by "obsession", because the overwhelming majority of Hollywood films I have seen seem to be obsessed with sex. But I know how you like boobies, so I guess that is okay.

I dunno, Vic. I happen to believe that the "underdog", that guy that starts with little in the way resources, and possessing nothing but determination, can excel beyond what someone one means can separates this country from any other. Perhaps that is why other countries' films generally do not tell those stories - because in those countries, it is not their reality.

"Face it... in real life someone beat into the pulp doesn't suddenly raise off the canvas to win the fight. A quadroplegic does not jump out of his wheel chair to win a marathon. If I were to count such events in American movies my computer would be smoking."

'Fraid I missed those films. Maybe you mean Rocky. But that is but one example. Painting with a very broad brush. You mean there really was a film where the quadrapalegic won a race? Perhaps you would point me in their direction. If your computer starts smoking, e-mail me the bill.

"A janitor does not - in real life - become a mathematical genius"

I think I know the film of which you write. You have it backwards. The mathamatical genius became a janitor. He was a mathamatical genius before he was a janitor. His genius was discovered while he was a janitor. Has it never happened that a person of great gifts, for whatever reason, has been in a profession that does not fully utilize their skills? Never? Ever? Perhaps communist Russia avoided such problems by telling people what their gifts were, and herding them accordingly.

"OTOH, all characters in Bergman's films are normal people... they find themselves in the situations that are common, but not any less interesting psychologically because of that."

"Truth is, one does not need an abnormal situation to provide food for deep analysis - a family divorce and how "ordinary" people go through it is rich in emotions and psychology, in drama and revelations."

Maybe. Maybe not. But have you ever watched a film merely for entertainment? To enter a different world? Have you ever had the pleasure of watching a film with your child, knowing that while the film maybe a little absurd, it is simply fun.

My three year old and I recently watched "The Polar Express" together. It was a joy and an experience that I would not trade for free copies of all Bergmans's films. Likewise when we watch The Wizard of Oz. In your zeal to exclusively watch realist films at the expense of escapist entertainment, for while there is time in life for both, it appears that some priceless moments may have passed you by. If I miss a "realist" Bergman film to watch Polar Express with my son, well, I am more than happy with the choice I made. And more importantly, so is he.