MovieChat Forums > My Dinner with Andre (1981) Discussion > What if this movie didn't make me think?

What if this movie didn't make me think?

posted 8 years ago by Etxpeme
5 replies | jump to latest

What if this movie didn't make me think? What if this movie only brought up themes which I had already explored and made up my mind about? Should it still be a good movie for me?

I mean I already knew about people being insincere hypocrites wearing masks. Already knew most people are thoughtless robots (although I prefer calling them zombies), already knew about the fakeness of 99% of conversations...

I found the movie interesting, but it hasn't changed my life, it hasn't taught me anything (at least directly, I do have learn't something on its IMDb boards and by looking up references). It's just a movie about a very interesting conversation.

[–] Owlwise 8 years ago

Nothing wrong with it simply being a very interesting conversation!

[–] PreachCaleb 7 years ago

Should it still be a good movie for me?

Shouldn't you be the one to answer that? Why do you claim most people are thoughtless robots but then ask for their thoughts?

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] Etxpeme 7 years ago

When I ask for other thoughts, I do it so I can compare them to mine. It's not like I'm going to just think as I'm told to think.

I just want to compare different opinions and then arrive to a conclusion by myself.

By the way, what happened to the signal? Was it stopped?

[–] PreachCaleb 7 years ago

I can understand that. However, how can others' thoughts help you decide whether something is good for you or not? It's not like vegetables where there's scientific evidence of vitamins and nutritional benefits for your health.

But if you're wondering if it's still a well-made movie even though its themes weren't anything new to you, I'd have to say yes.

It's a movie that is designed essentially around just two people doing nothing but talking. Yet it's never boring.

The dialogue is engaging and before any subject can become tiresome, they switch to something new. The camera shots and frame composition also do not become repetitive. We pull back when listening to a story. We move in for a close-up when Andre or Wally discuss something they're truly passionate about.

So is the movie good even if it doesn't speak to you? Absolutely.

Never for the Browncoats.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] Owlwise (1490) 4 years ago

Part of the beauty & strength of the film isn't just in what they talk about, but in how they talk about it. Neither one is impatiently sitting through the other's words, simply waiting to make his own rebuttal. They're both actively listening to one another, because they both genuinely want to know what the other one thinks & feels. And each one is more than willing to agree with the other's counterpoint if it make sense to him; neither one is obsessed with always being right, or being the winner. Each one admits to feeling a little lost, confused, uncertain. They don't necessarily have all the answers (and maybe even none of the answers), but they do have good questions. Each one comes away from their conversation having changed a little, having grown a little, having learned a little more. And probably with more & better questions, too.