MovieChat Forums > Chloe & Theo (2015) Discussion > Nice Film, But...

Nice Film, But...

posted 9 years ago by Planet-38
4 replies | jump to latest

They are preaching to the choir.

Most will dismiss this film's message because to look too closely inside is not something that is a universal trait. Just like being told they are racist/sexist/homophobic, when they don't feel they are, makes many defensive and/or angry, being told that their individual actions are part of the problem, will most likely trigger the same reaction(s).

Every film I have seen that talks about similar messages, generally has lots of negative comments. People do not like it when they feel they are being preached to, when all they wanted was to be entertained. And not to have to think too much.

Unless something catastrophic happens - like some massive tsunami caused by a tremendous ice shelf falling into the ocean and affecting all continents - while there is money to be made and spent, nothing will ever change.

[–] gorgon1964 9 years ago

Or perhaps people don't like to feel 'simplified' when someone tries to tell them a message and has no clue to the other side of the story as well. Works both ways. I, personally, can't stand message movies. But I love movies that I might find a message in, based on my experiences and through the lens of the storytellers without it being force feed to me. That to me is the key to good filmmaking. Which is why I tend to shy away from ANY film that has 'based on a true story' behind it (yes, I know this isn't one of those but the point is about 'movies with messages') because they're always trying to get across an agenda with their 'true' story. I think the art of pure storytelling has been lost in films for the most part. Directors like Malick try to do it, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing, but today you either have light-hearted films or schlock 'ganda trying to pass itself off as 'true' or 'the truth'. It's really amusing how Liberals can espouse 'tolerance' as long as they don't have to tolerate a 'conservative' viewpoint and then Conservatives will turn around and berate the Liberals for being tolerant in the first place. It's a never ending loop of futility. When these two 'super' groups finally decide to pull their collective heads out of their butts and find that we all actually have more in common then we do different than maybe we'll get somewhere.

Until then we're likely to continue to get stories that claim to be true but have been hyper-manipulated by the filmmakers to get their point across or escapist theatre that allows us to go in and at least for two hours hopefully forget the ridiculousness of this miraculous age we live in. Of the two, I definitely prefer the escapist stuff because when it's done I still have my mind to use to look at the world and I can educate myself and form my own decisions. (But then again the individual claiming more responsibility for their own welfare is another topic all together.)

[–] activista 9 years ago

@gorgon

It's really amusing how Liberals can espouse 'tolerance' as long as they don't have to tolerate a 'conservative' viewpoint and then Conservatives will turn around and berate the Liberals for being tolerant in the first place.

I agree with that point, however, as a liberal, to me it's definitely the conservatives that come off as the more intolerant ones---all the comments I see slamming liberals are just over the top ridiculous---especially since conservatives act like they have all the damn answers to everything. Which kills me because it was conservatives who were responsible for the last big economic crisis (back in 2008) this country had. but they won't even admit to that. I'm tired of all this conservative vs. liberal bull**** too. It was both of them that helped make this country what it is today, and standing around slinging mud and dirt in other's faces (like that arrogant loudmouth idiot Trump does) hasn't help changed or solve any of the problems that need solving in our country. We need to learn to respect each other's points of view instead of all this stupid-a** bitching at each other about who's better than who, instead being at each other's throats all the fcking time--that's all I got to say about that. I haven't seen the film, since it hasn't opened yet.

Also, message films have been since films were first created. The only people who complain about messages in films are white foks who don't want to deal with any film that deals with racial issues, since they think it dosne't apply to them. Hell, some of the most well-known classic films with message films, like THE GRAPES OF WRATH, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, and many others----the key to getting a message or agenda across in any film is to make it fun and entertaining----nothing 'PC' about that, and something talented filmmakers have always known how to do. I don't understand folks who want to do nothing but see films for escapism all the time. I like films that engage with issues people deal with in their everyday lives---ain't a damn thing wrong with that---I prefer films like that. I'm not above seeing a film for the pure rush and joy of action---like MAD MAX;FURY ROAD, which I enjoyed, and I'm gonna see THE FURIOUS 7 when I get a chance again, because it was pure,sheer crazy action-packed fun. And even films like those have little comments on social issues---they're just placed in small ways between the action so that you don't realize it 'til after the movie's over. So,yeah, message movies can be fun as hell if they're made the right way---to be entertaining and enlightening at the same time (like a lot of classic '70s film, for example.)

[–] MycroftHolmes 8 years ago

Bill Clinton was responsible for the economic collapse and he is considered a liberal by most. The Repeal of Glass-Steagall Caused the Financial Crisis.

What we got here is... failure to communicate!



[–] hywellda 9 years ago

Whenever there's this much sophistry/pseudo discourse,
I know the movie will be a boar!
KISS: keepitsimplestupid!