MovieChat Forums > Margot at the Wedding (2008) Discussion > A dysfunctionally 'liberal' family

A dysfunctionally 'liberal' family

posted 16 years ago by rbwjazz
14 replies | jump to latest

While watching this movie I just kept thinking how "out there" these people are, and that their characters are only going to appeal to an ultra-left portion of the audience. The liberal viewpoints these siters live by... from describing their lives... to the "motherly" methods by which a son is raised would only play well to the Woodstock generation (or to certain communities in Vermont). Ironically, the clan has ties to Vermont in the film. Somehow I can't see the writer/director counting on support from viewers in the bible belt!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gsspecialist 16 years ago

Sorry to shake your theory. I am proudly liberal, come from the Woodstock generation, and thought the movie a profound waste of celluloid. One's political leanings hav nothing to to with the absorption of this (or most) film.

[–] Brad_Dharma 16 years ago

I agree with you. I don't see the liberalism as way to turn you off this film if you are from the bible belt. I saw it as a cautionary tale about the way people can be in such a liberal environment. I feel rbwjazz believes that it is meant to be pro-liberal when it is actually satirizing it. I'm confused as to how rdwjazz missed this.

[–] scoochie9 16 years ago

I didn't see this as having anything to do with "liberal" vs. "conservative".
I think that idea is a bit insulting to both "sides".
I'm quite liberal, and I hated the way the sisters (mostly Margot) behaved towards and around their children. Sure, they happen to be creative and (somewhat) intellectual--does that make them "liberal"? Does that mean that there are no creative, intellectual conservatives?
I think the movie was about bad, selfish parenting: caused by, and resulting in, psycho-emotional problems for all. Left or right has nothing to do with it.

[–] mercycroft 16 years ago

First of all, who cares what the Bible Belt watches? How about reruns of Davy and Goliath? Or you can all rent the typical white nuclear family film with cute white kids and cute big dogs and cliche soccer practice and an absolutely hilarious trek in a malfunctioning RV that ends with daddy saving the day. SO SWEET!

This film is about PEOPLE - and there are many kinds in this world. Give your warped views on Liberals a rest. Margot is a piece of art, not "cinematic entertainment" - and BB dollars don't support most films anyway, right? All that horrible stuff made by the sinful "Hollywood Elite."

What DO you people watch, anyway? The Omega Code? Paul Crouch is gay, by the way.

[–] marissaeugine 16 years ago

I completely agree eith you, mercycroft!!
I loved hhow each personality was portrayed. It was funny and intimate and real.

I think a great movie is able to move people. Move them with laughter, tears, or fears.

[–] nomad20 16 years ago

How about you give a rest to your warped view of folks from the Bible Belt/"conservatives" (as a conservative I hate to make the connection, but let's face it, there is one today).

I've been a conservative all my life, church-going (albeit Lutheran...not exactly huge in the "Bible Belt"), and grew up watching Davey & Goliath (as a Lutheran I loved it when "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"--written by Martin Luther--played at the end)...yet I still laugh at Morel Orel and wouldn't touch "RV" with a ten-foot pole. Apparently those things are incompatible with your view of people who are conservative and/or active church-goers.

And for the record, I didn't get anything political about this film.

[–] mrbunko2956 16 years ago

Of course, didn't you get the memo? The point of this movie was to send subliminal messages to the conservatives in an attempt to convince them to burn their bibles, have abortions and hire homosexuals to do their gardening.

People fu**ing amaze me sometimes

[–] oh_to_live 16 years ago

They aren't liberal. They're messed up.

"Drop the candy, mother eff!"

[–] ddmaingot 15 years ago

Liberalism doesn't have anything to do with it. I would probably be more oin the liberal end of things and I certainly do not think that it is condoning Margot's parenting in any way, and I don't think moist people would look at her parenting skills and see a good parent. It's crazy how people from the bible belt stand on such high ground waiting for people with different views to make an error so they can say what they do not or would not ever do. Using religion and politics to judgesuch small things like a character in a movie's behavior is cowardly and simple. Get a grip. Frankly, this movie probably isn't geared to the bible belt set. Thought provoking, edgy, and risky filmmaking often comes from more liberal artistic individuals and independent film is usually supported and viewed by people with more open and free thinking minds; not necessarily a characterisitc of those in the bible belt. Relax, I'm not calling religious people or evangelical's unintelligent.

[–] DD-931 15 years ago

IF this movie is portraying Margot and her family as "liberals", then it is subsequently an anti-liberal film. That the OP missed this point is only one of the many things about the movie that went over his/her head.

That so many self-described liberals disapprove of the behavior of these people (as the filmmaker obviously intended) is the more accurate telling-point of this film. Bad parenting is bad parenting, to liberals OR conservatives. Bottom line is, these people may be liberals, but their behavior is not based on politics. It is based on dysfunction.

[–] LizardKing84 15 years ago

Beyond liberal or conservative (and I must point out that others are right pointing out this film lacks any political subtext), the key point you miss is that this family is not being touted as something good. Nicole Kidman's character especially is meant to be seen as damaged goods and a terrible mother. Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) at least seems affectionate to her daughter, but Margot treats Claude horribly through much of the film. I think the idea is that however well-intentioned, these sisters don't have the skills to be good parents. I don't know that Noah Baumbach is advocating for or against progressive parenting, with this film and The Squid and the Whale, so much as he is showing how being open and honest with your kids is not the best idea when you have these skeletons in your closet.

[–] cdncritic 15 years ago

So you think this film would play well to certain communities in Vermont, and the characters have ties to certain communities in Vermont...how exactly is that ironic? Irony is the opposite of the expected.