MovieChat Forums > Born Rich (2003) Discussion > normal people

normal people

posted 19 years ago by blainedeyoung
8 replies | jump to latest

The most fascinating thing about this movie to me was how damn normal they all seemed. They used bad grammar. They were nervous in front of the camera. Their personality archetypes were easily recognizable. The things on their minds were more or less common. I'm sure they have trivia in their minds that I don't have, but seriously, where's that ivy league education?

Yeah, Luke was a jerk, but seriously folks, have you never met that kid before? I have thousands of times. He's over-aggressive, hostile, and derisive about everything and everyone. It's common. He didn't anything more offensive than you can get in a ten minute conversation with a normal guy in a normal bar.

The Vanderbilt kid seemed both very intelligent and more than slightly neurotic.

I think the two of them both need some therapy, but no more than you or I probably do.

The German Baron was much more removed from my common experience.

The girls all seemed a little more influenced by the "spoiled-ness" of their rearing. I saw some "daddy's little princesses" there. And that's probably exactly what's going on. Daddy spoiled them rotten while he was placing unrealistically high expectations on the guys.

What I'd really like to see is some interviews with the older generations and a continuing documentary on these guys over the years. I wonder if the "normalness" I'm seeming isn't largely do to their youth. Also I'd like to hear some discussion about how differently they would be speaking to me if I were to meet them in person. Was this "documentary" more a show than it would on the surface seem.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] crash999 19 years ago

Good post, Blaine. I'm a firm believer in the commonality of human nature and this movie shows how 'normal' those with extreme wealth really are. They may be disassociated from some of the trials and tribulations of the common man, but they face a whole host of issues others don't have to deal with.

In the immortal words of a late great postmodern philosopher, "Mo money, mo problems".

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] crash999 19 years ago

The difference between your opinion and mine, mrguitardeath, is I wouldn't consider the people you described to be rich- they are upper middle class suburbanites.

Rich, like the folks in this film, means being wealthy enough not to have to prove to one's neighbor how rich one is by showing off new possessions. That's why it's considered impolite or not tactful to talk about money- because doing so invites comparisons.

[–] blainedeyoung 19 years ago

So, are you saying that "normal" people don't have issues with hostility, snobbery, feelings of supriority, etc.

Please excuse me for pointing it out, but you just laughed in my face.

I think you're right about the upper middle class being more screwed up about the division because they're more exposed to people in lower classes.

It's kind of like the fact that it's really easy to be totally racist or totally not racist as long as you never have to associate with anyone from another race.

[–] madamebrad 19 years ago

The most fascinating thing about this movie to me was how damn normal they all seemed.
_____________________________________________________________________
I think I know what you're getting at......

Normal in the sense that they were, like 90% of the human poplulation, completely obsessed with themselves and their belongings.

Normal in the sense that they were completely enslaved to the opinions that other people held of them, without taking any real ownership for either their existence or happiness.

Normal in the sense that they feel compelled to talk about their families wealth (which, in most cases, they have no direct responsibility for) in order to make themselves feel superior.

[–] blainedeyoung 19 years ago

I suppose that I agree you. That's not the way I'd term it, but then again, that is manifestly not the way I termed it.

[–] dboone1025 15 years ago

For some reason, Hornblower seemed to stand out in my mind as being very lost, spaced out. He was the one that worked on the oil rig.

The others like Ivanka and Jamie seemed much more balanced. I dont think any of them are incurable (maybe luke), but I think the documentary showed how lost and out of touch you can become in an enclosed environment.