MovieChat Forums > Happythankyoumoreplease (2011) Discussion > My great shame as a writer...

My great shame as a writer...

posted 13 years ago by jaker_breaker
13 replies | jump to latest

"My great shame as a writer is that I'm just this suburban kid with good parents. Hardly Dickensian."

For anyone who's seen this movie, what's the context of this quotation? As it's presented in the trailer, it seems a rather shallow, ignorant remark to me. Perhaps I'm interpretting it incorrectly, but Radnor's meant to be an aspiring short story writer, right? Is he blaming his lack of talent on a cushy upbringing? What kind of non-sequitur is that? Or is he saying he has no material because of the life he's lived? Then why is he trying to write about his own life? Choose different subject matter, man. I mean, Munro's spouse didn't develop Alzheimer's, but she still wrote the hell out of "The Bear Came Over the Mountain." Proulx isn't a gay sheep herder or a bronco rider, but she still came out with "Brokeback Mountain."

Either way, the sentiment he's expressing just seems senseless to me.

Thanks for any insight in advance.

[–] Felonious-Punk 13 years ago

If you are a writer or like writers, there's a good chance you will like this movie. It deals with questions and doubts and inspirations we all have encountered. As for his comment: Yeah, when he made it, he was in a rut. But I bet it would have done him good to read your post.

The closest movies to my heart: http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=46910443

[–] harmedandderangerous 13 years ago

Being that this is this guy's first screenplay I find that line to be extremely self-indulgent, obvious and a cop-out. I mean, if he'd already pumped out a few quality screenplays then he wanted to put a introspective eye on the perils of the craft that'd be fine. But to come out of the gates kicking the dirt about what it means to be a writer seems like he just went, "Well, I'll just write about having trouble writing and then I'll be a writer." Lame. If you can't fire up the imagination then stick to non-fiction (or in this guy's case, acting).

religion (re li jun) n. - the idea that you must think like me or suffer for all of eternity

[–] HimynameisF 13 years ago

Well, not exactly. he's already a successful (well, doing a living as)short story writer. He's trying to get his book published though.

The quotation is not a way of saying he's out of inspiration, he's just trying to say that his background has nothing amazing, nothing to make him look special or well, bohemian.

[–] jaker_breaker 13 years ago

So he's saying he wishes his life wasn't so boring? What a boring idea to express. Hardly worth saying, is it?

[–] Not_An_Exit 13 years ago

The line is a joke. Do you seriously not get it?

"Have at me you ham-handed bastard!"

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Freebasedog 13 years ago

Hey how's it going! You sound pretty stupid, that means you will like this movie! NICE! OMG FTW!

Wigga Please

[–] anasgpais 13 years ago

Do you write? If you think about it, the more experiences of life you have, the more you have to write about. And you extend your mind, your criativitie is increased, etc.
I mean, experience its not mandatory for you to be a good writer, but it helps

[–] TheGirl12 13 years ago

There's a lot of people doubting themselves in this movie. It's one of those things people do...they reflect on their life, how they were raised and how they got to where they are...so what if he was having a shallow moment. Everyone is allowed them.
If he was writing about street life or something, people would criticize him for being a good kid from the suburbs.

[–] 13 years ago

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