MovieChat Forums > Syrup (2013) Discussion > Warning: this is an infuriating film (SP...

Warning: this is an infuriating film (SPOILERS)


Watching Syrup is an exercise in futility from beginning to end. First, there is Scat, who single-handedly comes up with every brilliant new product and marketing campaign throughout the film, yet NEVER defends this fact, and simply allows everyone around him to steal the credit. Then, there is Six, who is little more than a narcissistic user, and who is so emotionally damaged that she cannot even admit her real name to the one person that actually loves her, and more importantly, on whose coattails she has ridden to the top. Furthermore, the idea that a company should or would be held responsible, in any way, for the death of some idiot who killed himself over not being able to buy an energy drink (WTF!!) is so laughably absurd. In the end, the only character worthy of even a shred of our sympathy is Scat, but even that becomes a difficult task after suffering through 90 minutes of his incessant whining over a woman who did nothing but use him. In the end, I was left wondering what the point of it all was. Everything about this story was just so depressing and cold-hearted.

reply

Everything about this story was just so depressing and cold-hearted.


That was kinda the point of the movie, no? =P

This Marketing-oriented society in which we live in IS cold-hearted and depressing.

So yeah, you answered your own question there lol...

Oh, and btw, there's obviously a lot in the movie which is exagerated for narrative purposes (or for effect, if you will) like indeed the whole thing a bout a corporation being held responsable for either of the supposed deaths in the movie.

It's actually a pretty good movie I thought... not top 10 material certainly, but it's got a lot of stuff going on for it.

reply

Then, there is Six, who is little more than a narcissistic user, and who is so emotionally damaged that she cannot even admit her real name to the one person that actually loves her, and more importantly, on whose coattails she has ridden to the top.


I think we're supposed to understand that quite the opposite has happened. Six works hard to make products happen, but keeps getting passed over for promotion by guys like Sneaky Pete and Scat who have a basic idea which needs major development. Keep in mind that we see Scat having moments of inspiration, but we have no reason to think that he is singlehandedly responsible for what comes after. Given Six's reaction to having Pete as her boss and discovering Scat is being groomed as VP, I think the filmmaker is telling us Six is the one having credit stolen.

__ __ __
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"--Pres. Merkin Muffley

reply

I think that was the whole point of the movie.

These are exaggerated character types in the marketing world.
There's also a lot of legal stuff when it comes to intellectual properties like slogans or whatever. I'm no expert but I'm sure there is.

And honestly, in today's society, I wouldn't be surprised if a company was held responsible for a death due to an idiot not being able to get their product.


This isn't really a movie trying to make you care about anyone. It's a pretty good character study of the types of people in marketing. You've got the guy who brainstorms and comes up with the idea (Scat), a person who develops that idea (6), and then the guy who tries to steal competitor's ideas (Pete? I Forget his name).

reply

Would parents blame the company? Sure, especially if an ambulance-chasing shyster sought them out and told them they “have a case.”

Would a judge toss the case out, because an advertising campaign cannot be held responsible for a pre-existing case of clinical depression? After the judge stopped laughing hysterically for several minutes, and fining the plaintiffs for filing a frivolous law suit, you betchem.

reply