Why does everyone hate this? - I Heart Huckabees (2004) Discussion

[–] get_to_the_choppa 16 years ago

I'm not really a fan of quirky films with eccentric characters (with notable exceptions such as Amelie, Punch Drunk Love, etc.), especially ones that spawn fan-bois and worshipers who quote lines religiously to the point of nausea (why do Napoleon Dynamite and Juno come to mind?), but this really wasn't that bad. It takes a while to get into it because it's so unconventional, but I think it's a worthwhile watch for anyone with an open mind. I think Jason Schwartzman gives a really, really good performance and Dustin Hoffman is as ambiguous with his character portrayal as ever. It's also improved my view of both Mark Wahlberg's and Jude Law's acting credentials, although the latter suffers with his accent when his character's speech intensifies. A definite 7/10

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[–] UCHoodman 16 years ago

In a simple sense it's just not enough. I liked it, but I didn't love it and that's probably why it's not on my list.

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[–] LeForce 16 years ago

Dunces, they are all Dunces. This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. The truth of it is most people have horrible taste, luckily you and I don't.

"I believe in a ruling class, especially since I rule."

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[–] smileyman9 16 years ago

I think the issue is the target audience; When the average viewer goes out to rent a movie and finds a comedy that has Lilly Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman in it, I'm not sure that this movie is quite what they're expecting, hence the negative response to it.

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[–] TheAlwaysClassy 16 years ago

I guess because there's really nothing else out there like it (that got as much exposure as it did). They see it, can't understand it, hate it because it isn't what they wanted it to be.

http://maynardandlando.blogspot.com/ Champions Elect?

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[–] AssetsonFire 16 years ago

From reading this board, people are threatened because they don't understand it or they think do understand it and that they're above it, and they think they should understand because... well because they're smart, damn it! I don't think there was much to understand though; it was just fun little folly, if pretty confusing and uneven. And I also don't usually like 'quirky' films like Eternal Sunshine, Amelie and Wes Anderson's stuff.

How do you like them apples?

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[–] chalupa46 16 years ago

there's nothing to understand at all, if you want to get into existentiaism as a philosophy read the real deal *beep* you ain't gonna learn anything on this...... go read kierkegaard, nietzsche, Sartre.. entertaining though, especially on mescaline

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[–] AssetsonFire 16 years ago

Nah. This is easier.

How do you like them apples?

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[–] mr-roque 16 years ago

i agree - this is no movie you have to understand, because there is nothing to understand - it is not about existential theories or philosophies but about humanity taking stuff like that too seriously sometimes.

the problem with movies like this is that people try too hard to understand and therefore become frustrated and blame the movie for it.

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[–] Tdownes78 15 years ago

I love this movie. Actually I went into it with the opposite expectation, I thought it was going to be bad and well I found it to be interesting as well as hilarious. I guess people thought because it had so many great actors in it and that maybe it was going to be more than just a comedy. I think this movie is very underrated.

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[–] gordanz_92 13 years ago

couldnt agree more... the first time i watched it i tried to understand it and left me sitting there like wtf.. but watching it again, and just taking it for what it was, its now one of my favourite movies

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[–] ckn8 16 years ago

"there's nothing to understand at all, if you want to get into existentiaism as a philosophy read the real deal *beep* you ain't gonna learn anything on this......"

And if you want to learn about William Randolph Hearst, get a book and don't bother with Citizen Kane. Of course, if you're looking to watch a film... I'd argue otherwise.

I heart Huckabees because I think it's funny, not because it's a good intro to existentialism.

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[–] thunderwalk1978 16 years ago

If your priorities in life are fast cars and video games, you're probably not gonna like this film very much, nor have the attention span to handle it. This movie is for thinkers. Period.

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[–] Chytilova 12 years ago

That was a good one. Made me chuckle.

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[–] Rand-o 16 years ago

I think my problem with this film is that it's sooo pretentious - actually "pretendyish" is more like it. It tries so hard to be deep and insightful and it fails so miserably because it's so faux existentialist.

And, as a comedy, it falls flat on its face - there's not one funny scene or line in the entire film.

Broadway doesn't go for boooooze and dope!

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[–] dig003 16 years ago

I think there are pieces of existentialism, and even nihilism in reference to the French lady... Of course many people often confuse nihilism, absurdism, and existentialism, so I think that's part of the joke. People hate the film because they think it's desperately trying to prove a theory, and fails, or they think it lacks subtlety in it's approach to philosophy... or both.

One overarching idea IMO is that many of these things ARE NOT supposed to make sense... there are touches of each philosophy that several of the characters espouse at various points in their development as they struggle to find meaning in their life and reconcile said "meaning" with happiness, love, and societal value. But, ultimately, it's "absurd" to come to such conclusions because so much of what we do and desire is in fact contradictory, and cannot adhere to a fundamental meaning or philosophy.

The characters at times see no meaning, value, or reward in their activities/sacrificee and are subsequently depressed, then later they see glimpses of "connectiveness" or coincidence and are instantly happy & inspired... it's all absurd because we, as humans, are absurd and adapt the meaning in our life to whatever makes us happy...

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[–] TCMonte 15 years ago

it's all absurd because we, as humans, are absurd and adapt the meaning in our life to whatever makes us happy...

Yes, agreed. I think some ppl take the film too seriously when the film is actually being sarcastic and making fun of itself. To call this film "pretentious" is absurd; it's like calling a Tom & Jerry cartoon "pretentious”.

I feel sorry for anyone that doesn’t think Scwatrzman and Huppert making out in that mud wasn’t hilarious—I almost suffocated I laughed so hard.

"....third prize is YOU'RE FIRED!!!"

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[–] forrest4e 16 years ago

This is probably one of the funniest movies ever. It's absurdist, and it knows it. It's not pretentious. It's making fun of those who are.

Not one funny scene or line in the entire film? You must have no sense of humor whatsoever.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] lickyastrips 14 years ago

Not one funny line?

Christian teenagers asking "What happens in the meadow at dusk?" <- funniest line in a movie ever.

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[–] greenbanzanas 12 years ago

What about the response?

"Everything/Nothing"

I found that incredibly hilarious and profound.

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[–] DHouse69 12 years ago

lol you have no sense of humor *points*

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[–] JimmyZappa 16 years ago

Cause its head is so far up its pretentious ass.

I like art films but this film was just dumb.

Stuff like this reminds me of "Movie Poop Shoot.com" from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

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[–] desolationrow83 16 years ago

One of the worst films I've seen. A very self aware movie with that whole Wes Anderson-ish "Look how RANDOM I can be!! You never know what anyone's gonna say next, but I garentee it will be so OUT THERE, yet delivered in a dead-pan kinda way". If you like the film, then that's cool! I'm glad you did!! Have fun with it an enjoy!! HOWEVER, I can't stand the arragance of people (such as Thunderwalk...Thunder-Wanker more like it!) who really advertise this film as being some sort of I.Q test for an elite group of film goers that think they are intellectualy above us when it comes to cinema. Just because we don't like something that diguises itself as thought provoking, doesn't make us below you.. I admit, the film is different.. but diffirent doesn't always mean good. This film just felt like a rip off of what woody allen has been doing since the seventies. Like a lot of people, this film couldn't fool me, it was merely a bit more fuel for those people, like Thunderwalk, who just like the IDEA of liking this film.. as apposed to liking the film itself.

Is this your homework, Larry?

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