Anyone else feel this scene ran too long? I mean, after a while, the character of Jimmy crosses the line into psycho/rapist territory.
I'll admit, I like "Happy Endings," so I really have no business to be talking about overlong sequences, but I wondered if anyone felt the film was long at the beginning too.
I adored this scene and I'll tell you why-- it's Scorcese adding a touch of what film snots call "High Cinema" to the scene, and it's SUPPOSED to make you feel uncomfortable. Notice how we start in a crowded New York setting, which soon narrows into a Times Square setting, then a dance hall, then a section of tables in the dance hall as the scene begins, and finally, we are in the intimate space of the two characters. It's supposed to be not only claustrophobic to the viewer but also discomforting. And don't forget, Jimmy IS in psycho/rapist territory for the majority of the film. It's okay to feel uncomfortable during a scene, the film was never intended to be cutesy and happy and I think by allowing Jimmy to cross the line in this scene, in a way Scorcese parodies all of those early musical films where a similar situation would have been considered 'fun.'
shareI'm in conflict over this movie. That fact that this is supposed to be drab and awful doesn't make it not drab and awful. It's brilliant, but its a chore to watch, especially because I hated the musical movie style it references to start with.
shareYes, and a dangerous move by the director. I was ready to quit the movie right there and it had barely started.
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