Dennzio: the voice of reason.

Posted by rhizomatic (A) on February 2, 2004 at 07:24:48

In Reply to: Most overrated film: Whale Rider. posted by dennzio on February 1, 2004 at 05:56:22:

I was bored and mostly annoyed. I thought even less of it that you did. I thought it suffered from the worst tendencies of that sort of genre film: the grandfather acts like a genuine asshole through the whole movie, then redeems himself at the end only because his graddaughter turns out to be who she is. Wouldn't it have sent a better 'message' if she wasn't, y'know, the avatar of God or whatever, and he still loved her? But nooooo, he's dismissive and cold to the point of cruelty, propping up this bullshit--excuse me--patriarchal nostalgia trip, but then since his granddaughter turns out to be the lead character in this myth he's so hung up on, he warms to her literally at the very last minute. Mmmmm, heartwarming.

Beyond that the characters were cardboard cutouts. The only utility of the film was to introduce its leading actress, who is charming and solidly talented and will grow up to be a knockout. Beyond that I felt nothing but ill will towards my fellow movie goers who left the movie beaming. The psychology of feel-good movies is actually pretty sad. If you're going to a film in order to experience a specific emotion, why not just stay home and think good thoughts and warm your own damn heart? These self-consciously feel-good-heartwarming-stories-of-triumph-in-the-face-of-adversity are actually quite cynical, and, to state the obvious, their existence obscures the achievement and promotion of far more inventive films.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Most overrated film: Whale Rider. - dennzio 05:56:22 02/01/04 (18)

Casablanca n/t - Andy 09:08:48 02/10/04 (0)

LOTR, indeed (nt) - orejones 10:59:25 02/02/04 (3)

"LOTR, indeed" ...? I assume you meant in your humble opinion, right? - Audiophilander 22:11:25 02/02/04 (2)

Half kingdom for the last word? (nt) - Victor Khomenko 05:56:01 02/03/04 (1)

Would a French director and sub-titles make you happy? - dennzio 06:46:12 02/03/04 (0)

The English Patient nt - padreken 10:20:25 02/02/04 (1)

Re: The English Patient nt - rico 11:13:50 02/02/04 (0)

Dennzio: the voice of reason. - rhizomatic 07:24:48 02/02/04 (2)

It would have been a better ending if Pai had died. - dennzio 05:52:33 02/03/04 (1)

Fer real doe. - rhizomatic 08:47:45 02/03/04 (0)

Re: Most overrated film: Whale Rider. - Chris Garrett 12:27:09 02/01/04 (1)

Re: Awwww Chris.... - Dave-A 18:14:47 02/05/04 (0)

About Schmidt.... I try to forget the bulk of them ..nt - late 10:56:53 02/01/04 (0)

Re: Chariots of Fire (nt) - rico 10:00:43 02/01/04 (0)

Dr. Zhivago. Lawrence of Arabia. Any Merchant & Ivory... nt - clarkjohnsen 08:11:18 02/01/04 (2)

You have to be nuts - 03blueSI 02:02:26 02/17/04 (0)

Re: Room with a View was quite charming. nt - patrickU 06:32:05 02/03/04 (0)

Re: Over rated, yes, but not "most" (nt) - rico 05:59:41 02/01/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Dennzio: the voice of reason. - rhizomatic 07:24:48 02/02/04 (2)

It would have been a better ending if Pai had died. - dennzio 05:52:33 02/03/04 (1)

Fer real doe. - rhizomatic 08:47:45 02/03/04 (0)

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