Intelligence in a film...


"What can be said is that the three actors inhabit this material with ease and gratitude: It is good to act on a simmer sometimes, instead of at a fast boil. It's unusual to find an American movie that takes its time. It's remarkable to listen to dialogue that assumes the audience is well-read. It is refreshing to hear literate conversation."

An excerpt from Roger Ebert's review of the film. I agree that it is so enjoyable to listen to genuinely intelligent characters. What other movies share this same quality, by "assuming the audience is well-read?" As a literature fiend, I'm always looking for good literary films. Any suggestions are appreciated!

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Finding Forester
Kicking and Screaming
A lot of Woody Allen films
The Squid and the Whale
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset and Waking Life (you'll get the literary nature of it).
Wonder Boys
Starting Out In The Evening
There are a few more but I can't remember.

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[deleted]

Yes, great analogy. This film is like a beautiful song. And, like a great song, it holds up. Everytime it comes on cable, I watch it ... and it hold up beautifully.

The soundtrack is very, very good as well.

I love this film.

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"What can be said is that the three actors inhabit this material with ease and gratitude: It is good to act on a simmer sometimes, instead of at a fast boil. It's unusual to find an American movie that takes its time. It's remarkable to listen to dialogue that assumes the audience is well-read. It is refreshing to hear literate conversation."

An excerpt from Roger Ebert's review of the film. I agree that it is so enjoyable to listen to genuinely intelligent characters. What other movies share this same quality, by "assuming the audience is well-read?" As a literature fiend, I'm always looking for good literary films. Any suggestions are appreciated!

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How about "Dead Poets Society" and 1979's "Hardcore."

Yeah, anytime a film is smartly dialogue-driven and takes its time when necessary is a good thing. I personally can't stand moronic "blockbusters" anymore.

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Quiz Show is another good one.

"She's, like, a biscuit older than me..."

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Awesome thread.

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