In Reply to: a problem with movies today posted by caa on April 19, 2000 at 12:57:42:
I think there's a couple of reason for the lack of what you call "meaningful endings" in today's movies. First, too many movies are the product of committee thinking in which the story line takes a back seat to issues such as merchandising and promotion, as well as the possiblity of a sequel if the film is a success. (I'm waiting for "Titanic - The Sequel" or even better, "Rocky XXXVII" in which 87-year-old world champion Rocky Balboa fights the ghost of Burgiss Meredith).Second, the typical Hollywood film is structured in four acts, and the director usually likes to give the audience a big bang in act III in order to keep their attention and set them up for the film's ending. And it's no secret that American filmgoes love a happy ending, so quite often story logic goes out the window at this point in order to provide conflict/resolution 3rd/4th acts. One example of this is "Mosquito Coast" which I watched a couple weeks ago - Harrison Ford's character suddenly veered radically off course in the third act in a scene that almost seemed lifted from another movie. Or consider Mel Gibson's strong character study in the remake of "Payback" - the first two acts were terrific, then plot and characterization went out the window in a ridiculous and totally gratutious shootout in the third act. I can't begin to count how many otherwise-excellent movies have been ruined by this practice. (If you're feeling *really* masochistic, check out the fist fight in the third act of "They Live" -- it goes on for 7-1/2 minutes and grinds the movie to an absolute and utter halt).
Personally, I can overlook just about any flaw in a movie as long as it has a stong, propulsive narrative - something which, as you so rightly point out, is sadly lacking in movies today.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Re: a problem with movies today - Scott 13:14:34 04/20/00 (0)