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It's a melodramatic story, schmaltz, though because of the quality

67.160.130.12

In Reply to: RE: Geoffrey Rush was PHENOMENAL...!!!! posted by Audio Pharaoh on April 27, 2011 at 10:20:48

of the actors, high schmaltz. It is played for maximum effect, with no subtlety, and with very careful construction to dramatic peaks. Were there any surprises, at all, in the performances? Yes, many films follow such formulas, the troubled person that resists help from a plucky and slightly crusty character, and I see nothing particularly witty in this one. Mind you, I'd rather watch this film whilst sitting on hot coals than sit through 99.9% of Hollywood crap.
I think you, like many here, are reacting to the emotional reaction the film caused in you. Nothing wrong with that, but I wouldn't think that's necessarily art. As Hitchcock once said about horror films, it isn't difficult to get a reaction out of an audience: all you have to do is have a guy jump out from the shadows, unexpectedly, with a knife. Similarly, a character with a deformity is an easy way to connect with audiences. "Rainman" and many that followed, and their ridiculously easy way with awards, demonstrated that the "differently-abled" genre is a treasure trove.

Follow Ups:

Schmaltz?...um...aren't you the one who believes Starship Troopers is one of the 10 best scifi films? - MaxwellP 12:50:02 04/27/11 (5)
you're a tough nut for a lurker to crack
- "ST" is an original parody. Is "TKS?" nt - tinear 13:19:24 04/27/11 (4)
  fd
  - No, thankfully. Parody seems to be the only style Hollywood studios trust these days. - MaxwellP 17:30:01 04/27/11 (3)
    It's everywhere now. I don't see it as a positive thing.
    - Troopers is almost 15 years old: "These days?" It not only mocked Star Wars - tinear 07:59:44 04/28/11 (2)
      and Star Trek's childishness (this is one film that has some serious violence), it boasted a true artist for director: Paul Verhoeven. It really is a Western, updated and improved for the "modern age." It's like no other film--- and though it's self-conscious and campy, it's a non-stop joy-ride wherein "good guys" suffer and die--- the violence itself is realistic.
      - To each his own I guess...I don't think Verhoeven has been an artist since Soldier of Orange... - MaxwellP 08:33:46 04/28/11 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Troopers is almost 15 years old: "These days?" It not only mocked Star Wars posted by tinear on April 28, 2011 at 07:59:44
        
        if you enjoyed his stuff, go wild. Just don't try to pretend that all your tastes have the strength to stand up to close critical scrutiny. Lights out.
        
        Robocop, Spetters, Total Recall, Black Book. And Basic Instinct. Certainly, he has a feel - tinear 10:46:07 04/28/11 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: To each his own I guess...I don't think Verhoeven has been an artist since Soldier of Orange... posted by MaxwellP on April 28, 2011 at 08:33:46
        
        for hit films of a more than passing interest. They have an adult quality not seen in Star Trek or Star Wars, anyhow.

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