Ok, to all the geniuses out there that don't see or don't want to see what I mean (or better, don't want to admit that I'm damn right):
how many times have you or any of your family member skipped spending together Christmas or Easter?
Was it such a big deal that it happened? Or did you just said "hey Mom, I'm gonna be in ---exotic location--- for the holidays, see ya later/next year" with nobody even caring?
Well, afaik, thanksgiving is a moment that american families MUST spend together or it just feels WRONG, like somebody has died.
Argument 2:
being together, since there's nothing really else behind this holiday other than being with your family (there's no Jesus, no santa, no holy spirit, no nothing), kinda brings out the best and the worst in people, and there's a lot of "shit, I'm gonna have to see uncle x again after he did this and that". So, there's a lot of that "being together at all costs, even if we don't really want to".
So it's a bittersweet day. I don't know of any holidays in Europe like that.
Are you people getting my point?
This movie would work on another holiday as much as any Christmas movie would work on thanksgiving, like Da Gubernator having to get that toy to his kid for thanksgiving in "turkey all the way"...
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wearsalan (5554)
4 years ago
No, the problem here is you don't get it. Your premise being that it is too American. It has nothing to do with other people not seeing what you mean or even (better?) admit you are right. Saying it is too American is simply YOUR opinion. The board in general (unfortunately for you ) disagrees. I'm from the UK and I get it. How does that make me wrong and you right, or vice versa?
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Heisenberg (6310)
4 years ago
Ok wearsalan, I agree with you on one point: it's not about being right or wrong, I didn't phrase it correctly.
My other points are still valid (I didn't just say "it's too American", I have plentifully argumented my opinion), so please respond to all my other topics and disregard the fact that I am right or you are right or whatever, that's not appropriate so I take it back.
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PrimeMinisterX (8290)
4 years ago
Well, afaik, thanksgiving is a moment that american families MUST spend together or it just feels WRONG, like somebody has died.
I go home for Christmas. I do not go home for Thanksgiving. I think that most Americans, if given the choice, would choose Christmas. Reading through your responses in this thread, I do feel like I have to concur with your earlier statement: It is true that you do not really understand Thanksgiving.
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Heisenberg (6310)
4 years ago
LOL, nor this movie...
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Noufa (378)
4 years ago
I think you have a point about the movie being very American.
But Prime Minister is right about this. 1st year college students often have to decide whether to return home during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. Most choose Christmas, if only because Thanksgiving break is so short. I've heard Thanksgiving described as a more laid back version of Christmas. There's none of the pressure to get presents. And it's always on Thursday so that it doesn't overlap with pious Sunday rituals.
The tension in the movie isn't so much about Neal trying to get home for Thanksgiving. It's about Neal trying to get away from Del. Neal is a WASP snob. He's more stylish, more reserved, more literate & less obese. I'd almost say it's about class but I never thought Del was poor. He's an outstanding salesman & seems to have business contacts everywhere. He chooses life on the road because it's less lonely.
Trading Places is more relatable because it's just a modern retelling of The Prince & the Pauper. That sort of economic class exists everywhere.
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