I saw Noah Baumbach's Greenberg the other night and was reminded of two things that I'm not so fond of: those kinds of guys (simultaneously pathetic and cruel) and those kinds of movies.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not referring to earnest indies, but to those who think an authentic film can't let any moments of happiness or humor sneak in; to the school of thought that insists that virtuosic works of art must be difficult and downcast. This belief reaches beyond movies. When most people think of a profound person, belly laughs are usually not the first things that come to mind--unless we're talking about Buddha.
There are so many films on depressing subjects that are riveting. Why does watching a movie about pain have to be painful in itself, outside of witnessing the hurt? Even in books, there are the intelligent page-turners and the agonizing hauls. Why do the hauls earn so much more respect?
There's much to be said for realism, but why is misery any more believable than joy? Wouldn't the real artistic feat be to portray the whole spectrum of emotion, balancing the mystifying fluctuations in mood from moment to moment that we humans have come to call living?
Maybe the current deification of misery porn has to do with the kind of intellectual elitism that judges who has taste by who can stay awake through a snoozefest in order to wax poetic about it afterwards. This can result in a cultural case of the emperor wearing no clothes and everyone being too chicken to hand him a towel.
I'm most impressed by a brilliant film that is also entertaining. I'm all for deep and heady, but why, oh why, do so many directors think that a good movie is one that their viewers will have trouble sitting through? How did we come to think of pleasure and profundity as being so far away from each other?
If you've managed to stay with me through my pretentious rant about pretentiousness, and you're looking for a cinematic love child of the erudite and the entertaining, I would suggest Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich, or anything else written by Charlie Kaufman, for that matter.
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Nothing new. Watch "My Dinner with Andre". Or the worst of the Bergman movies.
But, yea. Lets have a little fun with our morality plays. Or a little eye candy as we watch someone going to hell in a hand basket.
Yup: "those kinds of movies," that merely expand upon the saying, "Life sucks and then you die," and insists that any attempt to make the first part pleasurable is an act of denial.
I'm with you, Caroline.
Priceless line, btw:
"Maybe the current deification of misery porn has to do with the kind of intellectual elitism that judges who has taste by who can stay awake through a snoozefest in order to wax poetic about it afterwards."
Anyway, I'm probably not the best judge of quality and substance, as I'll be paying 13 bucks to see Piranha 3D tonight. Thanks for the great post ~R
My soul is tortured enough, all on its own, no need for me to intentional pay good money and spend my somewhat thin spare time adding humorless misery without some joyful triumph to relieve it . Perhaps that is unrealistic of me, but I don't care, times are tough enough, I need better than that.
I prefer something which captures the whole of the human condition, thoughts - feelings - actions, for an authentic voice. Of course, there are always exceptions.
Love the term, misery porn.
I think this was fair and balanced, Caroline! I'm not sure how my agreeing with you fits into that but... you know.
(R)ated for watching movies from your childhood as a lovely adult.
Trudge: Byron certainly played his part
Divorce: I just might try that
Caracalla: I'd take the falafel sandwich
vzn: I think that certainly has something to do with it
Matt: I adore Ben Stiller and he's actually quite good in it. And I wouldn't say it's a crappy film. It's not poorly made or anything. The only thing is that it's very hard to watch for the reasons I mention above.
Cranky: glad to hear it. I could always use a Cranky along on the ride.
snarky: I usually love Ben and I do think vzn has a great point
Harvey: Exactly. I think there needs to be something that the viewer gets out of watching the pain.
Joan: he's not wearing any
Nikki: yeah, total masturbation
Kay: you certainly will be able to articulate it as well as I did. I just read your most recent post. great work
Dr. Susanne:as you say, I think all our souls are tortured enough as it is
Jonathan: glad you think so
Jerry: it most certainly could be
Shiral: you put it so well: "dark comedy wherein the actors can mine life for what Ann Lammot calls "hard laughter"--the humor that can see us through."
Sparking: yes, the whole of the human condition!
Bellwether: yeah, grindingly uninspiring is not the way to go
Cindy Ross: thanks so much!
Linda: thinking and laughing is good
Darryl: Blue Velvet is a good one
Amanda: we often see eye to eye
Fred: glad I had you at the belly laughs
Shannon: what a nice thing to say. Thanks!
R
When I suggest a movie, my partner, without fail wants to see a comedy.
"A funny one."
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a funny movie?
I love a good message, love a great dramatic feature, but man-boy, give me a good comedy.
That's what this household considers entertaining, The rest of it, the navel gazing pretenscious gas-bags that make "films, not movies," have lost sight of their craft.
Get my attention, hold onto it with both hands, and entertain my hair off.
(Great post, as always).
Great , and engaging as usual Caroline. You are my fave...
This perspective has also caused me to be somewhat disaffected with George Carlin's brand of humor. While he was extremely funny and insightful, towards the end of his life he was suggesting, that it was futile trying to avert the pathological ignorance and oppression afflicting mankind. I don't agree with this position, even if doing so may well result in defeat, there is a great humility to trying to do something that is virtually impossible, i. e. striving for the highest possible goal in the face of the greatest adversity. I think it is vital, to keep just a little snippet of idealism and hope.
P.S.: I wasn't a massive fan of "Being John Malkovich", but I did immensely enjoy "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind".