MovieChat Forums > In America (2004) Discussion > Anachronistic flaw, movie sucks, etc...

Anachronistic flaw, movie sucks, etc...

posted 17 years ago by jalstroemeria
29 replies | jump to latest

The young girl uses a modern day looking camcorder in this film. Albeit the camcorder is not digital, it is still fairly modern with pull-out view finder, etc...There is no way this type of camcorder would be used by a low-income family in the early '80s. In fact, nobody owned these back then, they didn't even exist. Average people used those big clunky VHS cameras, if they were fortunate to own one at all. How did the family afford to send the kids to Catholic school? How did they afford to live in that huge apartment? Where did their money come from? Why do all the people at the carnival stop and watch the dad throw balls to win the ET doll, nobody pays attention to anyone in stupid, self-righteous NYC?? Funny. Actually, this film was put together very poorly. I watched it last night and thought it sucked. I turned it off half way through. I'm really surprised it receives the accolades that it does. I was expecting much more from this.

[–] DaleHirst 17 years ago

The radio in the car says "all the classics from the 70s 80s and 90s" as well, but if you ignore the early voice over which says that the film is set in the early 80s then the anachronisms pretty much disappear.

[–] alex-fork3 17 years ago

If you turned it off half way through then your opinion doesn't really count for crap now does it?

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mainevent18 17 years ago

the movie is suppose to be timeless not set during any time period and if you look so far into those factors you really shouldnt watch a movie like this it shows your lack of imagination and how you can just sit and enjoy a movie

[–] GreenEyedBrit 16 years ago

You answered the original post very well!.....The movie was good and very touching

[–] david-rf 9 years ago

You sir are a *beep*

VIVA LA VINYL

[–] twilight_25 17 years ago

actually, i go to new york city very often, and people stop all the time to watch subway performers. it's sort of the same thing.

[–] brenton77 17 years ago

This movie never claims to take place in the early 80s.

[–] oh_Lilibet 17 years ago

Many Catholic schools have payment options,work-study and other things so people who can not afford it, can go to school.
I know that because my mother put us through private education herself.

"nobody pays attention to anyone in stupid, self-righteous NYC"

That is a bunch of BS right there.

Then again this is from someone who did not even watch the whole movie and who's experience of New York is from a half watched Woody Allen movie!

[–] jmtasu-1 17 years ago

The director did this on purpose, he wanted it to be timeless. He explains it in the commentary.

[–] deginner 16 years ago

Also the dad wasnt just playing for an E.T doll, it was an E.T AND all of there money

[–] gevansmd 13 years ago

While I enjoyed the movie, in particular the performances of the girls, I think the director is making an excuse. If you want the movie to be timeless why show them watching E.T. in the theater? That dates it right there. The camcorder did not exist in the form Christy is holding in the early 1980's. If you wanted a video camera you had to carry a huge device that resembled a professional film camera, as well as a portable VCR. I know, because I had both. Also, there are other mix-ups like the radio broadcast, Times Square signs, etc.. If you want it to be timeless you do not give any calendar clues at all.

[–] PimpSmackersGOM 13 years ago

If you want the movie to be timeless why show them watching E.T. in the theater? That dates it right there.

Except that ET has been rereleased numerous times since its original run.

The camcorder did not exist in the form Christy is holding in the early 1980's.

All the more proof that this movie did not take place in the early 1980's.

Also, there are other mix-ups like the radio broadcast

How is that a mix up? There was nothing to say how old those songs were in the movie. For example, radio stations that played songs from the 90's existed in the 90's, and they will still exist well into the next decade. In the future they will just call those stations 'oldies'

A superhero never reveals their true identity

[–] jrkham-1 16 years ago

Now I've met some pedants in my time, but your comments should get the Pedantry Oscar (Yes, I know it doesn't exist (yet)!)

[–] rojman 16 years ago

i hate when idiots rant about a film they haven't actually watched. the only half-way valid thing you said was the camcorder looked too new. so *beep* what? the film wasn't about the camcorder.

"Why do all the people at the carnival stop and watch the dad throw balls to win the ET doll, nobody pays attention to anyone in stupid, self-righteous NYC??"

that's classic. you actually did watch this scene but still didn't understand it. the guy running that stall was shouting out the stakes every time they got higher. there was dialog about that very thing. people started looking when someone was puttin' hundreds down to win a $30 doll. it was a great 'rock-and-a-hard-place' scene.

i don't even know why i'm still explaining things to you. i'm gonna stop now

[–] Deschanel 16 years ago

I just watched the movie, it doesn't say anywhere that it's supposed to be the 80's.

It's present day.

[–] GreenEyedBrit 16 years ago

You can sort of tell by the cars in the streets, they look pretty dated