MovieChat Forums > Faces in the Crowd (2011) Discussion > Very realisitic

Very realisitic

posted 12 years ago by joycem137
8 replies | jump to latest

So... I can't tell you whether or not this really simulates the experience of being face blind, but what I can tell you is that they did a good enough job that I, an actual person with prosopagnosia, couldn't tell that they were changing actors and stuff all the time. I had to ask a friend to tell me whether or not they were changing actors. I kinda figured they were because of the dramatic camera shots and music, but to me, nothing looked odd or out of place.

I think it was also pretty realistic to have the actress unable to figure out how to recognize people by body structure, movement, clothing, etc. I've had prosopagnosia since I was a child, so I've had a lifetime of developing the skills to quickly identify a person by these traits. But for a person who just got it, I'd be surprised if they were able to quickly figure out how to recognize people. Honestly, if there was anything unrealistic, it would be that. I'd be surprised that she was able to figure out how to recognize people by clothes/voice/etc. that fast.

Think of it this way. When you've been using one method your entire life to recognize people, you're not going to easily or quickly switch over to a new system. It takes a lot of time and practice to be able to do it effectively.

That said, I think the movie was really well done in terms of portraying what it is like to have prosopagnosia. After some years with it, I'm sure she wouldn't be nearly so awkward with her condition, and she would be able to compensate for it much better than she was during the film. Most people with prosopagnosia, like myself, get so good at compensating for it that we don't even realize that we've got it until much later in life, when we finally realize that other people have this seemingly magical ability to recognize faces.

[–] crc-4 12 years ago

I coulden't tell when the actors switched out either. lookig at the credits they had like 8 bryces. :|

[–] Walter_Iego 12 years ago

Milla was good, I enjoyed her performance.

---
"Is that an iceberg?"

[–] entertainme5 12 years ago

I could certainly tell the faces kept changing like every five mintues!

[–] Eve_of_Destruction 12 years ago

but what I can tell you is that they did a good enough job that I, an actual person with prosopagnosia, couldn't tell that they were changing actors and stuff all the time.

Sorry you have that. I couldn't even tell and I don't have it so great that you were able to follow at all. I was a little frustrated and almost gave up.

Do you want to play? -Orphan

[–] WileyDairyGnome 12 years ago

I'm watching it right now and I was wondering if it was done realistically. I mean when she sees all of the cops in the police station, and all of their faces look similar...or when her husband keeps changing. That seems like it would be scary as hell. If anyone found out about it, they could just take advantage of the situation. I do know that people who have it rely on voices/body movements, and I guess you would just get used it after awhile. I'm really good when it comes to recognizing people's faces, so it would scare the living hell out of me if I woke up, unable to remember what my friends look like.

-- I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been

[–] renata77 12 years ago

So sorry to hear you have this problem, joycem137. Thanks for sharing your perspective!

I always felt I had good facial recognition/memory. It wasn't until later in life that I realized I had trouble recognizing people on TV/movies if their faces weren't distinctive to me in some way. The more similar blondes or guys with brown hair and bland features would show up in the same piece, the less I was able to distinguish them from one another, especially if they were minor characters. When I would ask others, "Is that the same person who" and my husband would look at me incredulously, I realized there was a problem. It's a very infrequent problem in real life for me, where there are plenty of other cues to help me. I don't "forget" faces I have a reasonable amount of exposure to, but I often have a problem recognizing people I've seen very infrequently. Yet, often, once they start talking and gesturing, I will realize that I actually do know them and will feel sheepish. If I've only seen people at a distance frequently, such as at church, I often will not realize who they are close up.

From my perspective, I do find it fairly unrealistic that she wouldn't have known Bryce or her friends by their voices after her initial shock. I just feel I would always know my husband's voice, add his mannerisms, body type, other cues, and I think that, despite my shock, I'd have to realize it was him after a few minutes. That may well be because I may have unconsciously relied on such cues all my life.

It did take me half the movie to realize they kept actually substituting people, and it wasn't until they did it with Julian McMahon that I was sure, because his face is very distinctive to me. I didn't realize how many substitutions they were making until I saw "Bryce #8" in the credits!

[–] soupphysics 10 years ago

and that made me loose interest.

[–] backus1611-1 9 years ago

This of course is not an attack on you, and I haven't seen the movie, but- people use more than 1 thing to recognize a person. Yes it's mainly the face, but we do notice more about a person especially one we know well, then people think. Just remember the times you've recognized someone from the back, or noticed something's different about them or any of the other "unconscious" things you actually do see. Yes, not as certain as the face, but still pretty good. I wouldn't think it would take that long to start recognizing people, especially your husband/wife.