Well, I must say I disagree with your opinion about the movie. I think that if this had been a work of fiction based on these greeters, then I might be inclined to agree with your assessment that these people deserve a "well made" film. However, because it is a documentary, I've always thought the area that makes or breaks any such film are the interviews and their content. A documentary doesn't need flashy camera work, or astounding HD crystal clear footage, or even a good technical knowledge of how to make a film. I, personally, think that all of that (excluding perhaps technical know how, which is more of a bonus) actually detracts from the documentary genre. This film's content, its heart so to speak, is what makes it so extraordinary, not the technical processes of it.
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TheBeardedWonder
14 years ago
I see your point. However, to me that kind of stuff DOES matter. You could have the most well versed man in the world talking about an endlessly fascinating subject for a documentary.
But if the camera was pointing half on him and half on a wall, the music didn't fit, the editing was jarring, the pacing was sloppy, the lighting was dark, etc... that wouldn't effect your enjoyment of the movie? Gotta say, I dunno if I buy that to be honest. At some point that stuff WOULD start to matter, I would hope...
In-film effects > CGI
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mac4lyfe
14 years ago
I thought it was well made and I liked that it wasn't "polished". We were looking into these people's lives and there were some imperfections on screen just like we all have off-screen. I think one has to be in the right frame of mind to watch this movie and it's probably not for the teen "I'm going to live forever" mindset or the Action Jackson, thrill and explosion crowd. This movie takes thought and introspect into one's life and morbidity. If your not ready to do this then this movie is not for you.
I think I'll put on my tombstone... "I'll miss you more". How profound.
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hrhppg
14 years ago
I love the stories this film told. They were all powerful, if not all uplifting. That said I have to agree that this is not a well made documentary, or the description of the film was not accurate. The first 10 minutes was incredible, tears in my eyes incredible. After that it branches off and lost some of the impact.
Also one of the stories was so horrible to follow - a veteran living in squalor, talking about how his life was worthless and left to his own devices by society. That was heartbreaking. I don’t think I could have stayed objective and kept filming over helping him clean and move.
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