Re: Yes, exactly.

Posted by Victor Khomenko (M) on October 2, 2003 at 11:24:16

In Reply to: Yes, exactly. posted by rhizomatic on October 2, 2003 at 09:02:56:

First, I strongly disagree with your characterization of the last century as something unique and of the last frontier nature. Artists have always faced exactly the same "acceptance" challenges throught the history. The 17th century Dutch masters had to jump through the same hoops as someone making his first film today.

Besides, you seem to be giving that aspect far more attention than I did - I only mentioned it passingly, no heavy point there.

Regarding the sugar coating... I definitely see that as the modern-time American tradition, and it always bothers me.

When I first came here I was truly revolted by the typical American girl's room interiors - you know what I mean, those pastel colored furniture sets with painted flowers, etc. The idea was to treat the girls like they were dolls, not humans. There is definite sense of infantilism in that treatment, and it was unfortunately present in the movie.

The girls themselves were perhaps the best part of the film - I liked them all. But their surrounding could have used the more, shall we say, down to Earth treatment. I understand about the shades of yellow, but here it was more the shades of the timeless kindergarten. And not just about the girls. The whole movie spoke "I am just a little cute girl".

I asked my wife today what she disliked, and she had to force her momory, as to her that was an immediately forgettable experience - and she has an accute sense of art.

She particularly disliked the rather shallow characters - pretty much all of them, but especially the parents. She could not for the life of her see the reason for the four girls' suicide... and neigher could I - we both felt that was simply done for the sake of the plot, and came completely out of blue. The first one... well, rather forced too, but OK as the opening shot.

She didn't like the music - but she is such an unforgiving person in that respect - I usually cut some slack, and in that case the music was I thought inoffensive for the type of music used. Surely I would much rather see them use Verdi...

Her largest criticism was along the lines of age and experience. She said, when a new artist appears with his first work, it better be something original. Let it be rought, but not just another common one. This film is the opposite - it is the rather common work overall, but with an attempt at making it more polished, more fit for human consumption.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Virgin Suicides - Victor Khomenko 07:01:54 10/02/03 (14)

Victor, what did you mean by sugar coated, thanks (I prob agree with you, just curious)..nt.. - late 08:27:19 10/03/03 (1)

Re: Victor, what did you mean by sugar coated, thanks (I prob agree with you, just curious)..nt.. - Victor Khomenko 09:52:06 10/03/03 (0)

Haven't seen the flick yet, but AIR does the soundtrack and I've got a few of their pieces..... - Chris Garrett 21:28:40 10/02/03 (0)

Could you be more specific? - rhizomatic 08:43:55 10/02/03 (5)

I also disagree with the film being sugar coated - gware 23:46:48 10/02/03 (0)

Learning to walk at 28? - Victor Khomenko 08:52:06 10/02/03 (3)

Yes, exactly. - rhizomatic 09:02:56 10/02/03 (2)

Re: Yes, exactly. - Victor Khomenko 11:24:16 10/02/03 (1)

Teenagers, suicide, artistic integrity - rhizomatic 11:38:32 10/02/03 (0)

Re: Virgin Suicides - patrickU 07:52:13 10/02/03 (4)

How do you feel about Monica Bellucci? - Victor Khomenko 08:23:44 10/02/03 (3)

Re: How do you feel about Monica Bellucci? - patrickU 08:43:35 10/02/03 (2)

Welcome home, Monica! - Victor Khomenko 11:28:36 10/02/03 (1)

Re: Welcome home, Monica! - patrickU 13:49:01 10/02/03 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Yes, exactly. - Victor Khomenko 11:24:16 10/02/03 (1)

Teenagers, suicide, artistic integrity - rhizomatic 11:38:32 10/02/03 (0)

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