MovieChat Forums > Seconds (1966) Discussion > needs a better title

needs a better title

posted 11 years ago by polytourist97
9 replies | jump to latest

I like the movie, and it may be a silly thing to get bothered by, but the title I think is severely lacking. It doesn't roll off the tongue very easily, and it has too many associations to give any sort of strong identifier to the movie. Compare with something like, say, Seven, or L.A. Confidential, or The Manchurian Candidate. Those all have an element of intrigue and implication to match up with their plots. "Seconds" can (mild spoiler alert?) be interpreted to be referencing the clients who are being given their "second life", but I feel the time-measurement association muscles out that association. I think it should have been titled something like "The Company", or "Rebirth", or "Mr. Wilson".

[–] EllisFowler 11 years ago

The fact that it's the title of the novel on which it's based doesn't suffice?

[–] hammer4 7 years ago

Personally, I like the title but I think the original poster has a point. There may have been some arguments/disagreements among the filmmakers regarding this issue.

Filmmakers frequently change the title of the film adaptation from the novel upon which it's based, especially when the latter was not a "blockbuster" as was the case here.

[–] Surf_Nazi_No5 11 years ago

Seconds can also mean inferior as in imperfect or second hand goods. The Old Man refers to all the mistakes which is what the waiting room is full of.

[–] roncerabona 11 years ago

I think the title is excellent BECAUSE it has multiple meanings and connotations - a second helping (for the greedy!), imperfections (as above, time...all apt.

[–] SamoanJoes 8 years ago

I agree. I was thinking "Thirds" maybe.

[–] SlackerInc (1064) 3 years ago

It’s a clever title but perhaps too clever by half. A better title for a book than a movie.

[–] Tabbycat (748) 2 years ago

I always thought it referred to time. It’s misleading until you get that it means having a second helping at the buffet of life.

[–] RoboReCop (2680) a year ago

... by "eating up" [i.e., the organization uses bodies of those who are unable to accept their new life, then are required to recruit someone in which their body or another's are used to fake a death] the body of another. That's what I gathered watching the ending of the film. Such a great title for such a dark/twisted ending.

[–] Druff (1446) 2 years ago

>it may be a silly thing to get bothered by

Yes.

>it should have been titled something like "The Company", or "Rebirth", or "Mr. Wilson"

Awful.