On twitter, every person I've talked to who has a huge problem with the age difference between Firth and Stone seems to be either a teenager, or someone in their very early 20's. Most of them have never even heard of Bogart and Bacall (They probably think cinema started with twilight)and they openly admit to that. They also seem to have very little world experience or life experience.
I'm in my thirties and don't mid the age difference but you can't blame youths for not understanding the world through a couple who existed more than half a century ago, I'm sure there's a more recent couple with an age difference they can relate to, isn't there? Shakira or Hayden penetierre.
shareYes, but those examples don't have as much weight as the iconic Bogart and Bacall pairing. And yeah, it doesn't surprise me that they don't know. There's a lot they don't know.
Well, when they are as old as you are now and talking about the youth not knowing this and that, they will understand your point.
And what arguments are they bringing forward?
Having Bogart and Bacall, who are obviously very important to you (I did not know that either, but I do not mind the age gap) as a popular pairing does not eliminate every single argument on why they [being the teenagers, or someone in their very early 20's] dislike the age gap.
They also seem to have very little world experience or life experience.
And yeah, it doesn't surprise me that they don't know. There's a lot they don't know.
They all seem to be teenagers based on their profile pictures and interests. For example, many of the people who say it's really gross are admitting to me that they have no idea who Bogart and Bacall are. It's not that hard to guess an age range on Twitter based on huge avatar pics nowadays.
Yes, there's a lot I don't know. But when it comes to the history of cinema, I know about famous couples on-screen and off.
You're missing the point. They're saying any and all age gaps that large are gross. They don't realize that by saying that they are condemning famous couples from famous movies, as well as many real-life couples made up of normal people and celebrities. The idea of one partner in a relationship being more than 20 years older than the other just shocks and disgusts them. For me that's laughable because many beloved films feature May/December romances, and it happens all the time in real life, as well.
For me, judging two consenting adults who want to be together despite of an age difference is the equivalent of judging two consenting adults who want to be together despite being of different races.
And I brought up the lack of life experience and world experience because they act like it's never been done before. I'm saying it's been done many times in cinema and in real life. If you've traveled around the world and had a full life, you will have seen plenty of couples with age differences between them.
But when it comes to the history of cinema, I know about famous couples on-screen and off.
For example, many of the people who say it's really gross are admitting to me that they have no idea who Bogart and Bacall are.
Yes, but those examples don't have as much weight as the iconic Bogart and Bacall pairing.
They don't realize that by saying that they are condemning famous couples from famous movies, as well as many real-life couples made up of normal people and celebrities. The idea of one partner in a relationship being more than 20 years older than the other just shocks and disgusts them. For me that's laughable because many beloved films feature May/December romances, and it happens all the time in real life, as well.
And I brought up the lack of life experience and world experience because they act like it's never been done before.
I'm saying it's been done many times in cinema and in real life. If you've traveled around the world and had a full life, you will have seen plenty of couples with age differences between them.
I can blame them and I do. It's important to be well versed in the history of various art forms. The fact that it was done before by such a beloved and idolized couple should make a difference. As should the fact that Johnny Depp's fiancé is 24 years younger than him.
I'm saying it now. They're saying it's wrong for anyone to date someone that much older.
I obviously have higher standards for our youth than you do. I assumed they watch more than just Twilight movies. I guess I assumed incorrectly.
I never said everyone has to like it. You seem to be arguing for the sake of arguing. I'm saying they have to at least tolerate it. The same way people who disapprove of interracial couples have to tolerate it- meaning you shouldn't go around saying it's disgusting.
Of course I wouldn't call them racist? Are you not familiar with what a comparison is. I said for me it's as dumb as judging people of different races for dating. I never called anyone racist. Again you seem to be arguing for the sake of arguing.
And I don't know who your friends are, but all the people I know who are older and have traveled the world are more tolerant of such things because they've been exposed to it more. That's why I find what you're saying to be extremely hard to believe. Life experience and world experience is supposed to make you more open-minded. Not the other way around. I'm sure there are a few exceptions to that rule, but that's all they are, exceptions.
Now, if they had simply said that they feel they have the right to judge love and decide who dates who, fine. I would find them to be lunatics, but I wouldn't argue the point. But that's not what's happening here. They're saying they don't like it because it's never been done before (in movies or in real life) and it's only being done in this movie because Woody is a pervert.
My intention was to show patterns I've noticed on twitter and other social media sites. You defending them so furiously is very much an eyebrow raiser.
It was almost a social experiment kind of thing. If you have that big a problem with what I'm saying, I strongly recommend you place me on your ignore list. I have a very low tolerance for ignorance on social media. That applies to not just movies, but sports, as well. I am offended by these kids on twitter condemning any couple with an age difference between them. One girl I met who claimed to be 19 even said that it's wrong to date anyone more than 5 years older than you are. I find these kinds of people to be buffoons. They have a right to say stupid things. I have a right to find them to be idiots. Good day.
I am trying to debate with you. If you feel mistreated, that is not my intention. I want to understand what you are trying to say. And I do not intend to put you on my ignore list, since I started this by replying to you. I am not trying to get you to say what I want to hear. Like I wrote, I am interested in your point, that I find it hard to understand, since I think differently.
For the liking or not liking of age gaps part I misunderstood you there, my mistake. I apologise.
So, for ReservationAtDorsia it is important to be well versed in the history of various art forms. I can't see why that has to be important for the rest of the world. Different people have different preferences. Especially when coming from different backgrounds and countries. And that is still not the same as being well versed in the same art form as you are well versed in.
Actually one could start blaming their parents first, since they lacked of providing the traits of tolerance to their children.
I did ask for their statements before, and now you are feeding them to me, but only a little.
I was and am honestly interested in their arguments. You washed them over with
On twitter, every person I've talked to who has a huge problem with the age difference between Firth and Stone seems to be either a teenager, or someone in their very early 20's.and
They're saying any and all age gaps that large are gross..
It has to be important to people because art should always be important to people, and films are an art form. Films are also part of our country's history, and ignoring history is very foolish.
I'm not saying someone from a 3rd world country has to be very knowledgeable about films. The people I talked to on twitter were all either American or English.
If you mean I have to find all their tweets and send them to you, that's not happening. I'm not going to go and spend hours trying to locate them again. I don't follow on Twitter them so I can't even locate their accounts now.
You seem to have no tolerance for youth being youth but demand tolerance from them. How does that work?
It has to be important to people because art should always be important to people, and films are an art form. Films are also part of our country's history, and ignoring history is very foolish.
Yes, you may not know about Bogart and Bacall, but you're not going on social media and making multiple posts condemning Woody Allen for this movie and acting like he's the first one to feature a May/December romance in a movie, are you? That's the difference. It's fine to not know something as long as you don't use your ignorance as a means of spreading nonsense.
That's not the issue I'm not saying China and India are perfect. I'm pointing out that their youth are kicking the butts of our youth in the intelligence department because ours spend too much time tweeting, facebooking, etc.
Yes, now you get it. Their stupidity isn't the issue. It's the fact that they're spreading it and treating it as an absolute.
Yes, now you get it. Their stupidity isn't the issue. It's the fact that they're spreading it and treating it as an absolute.
Does anyone even know the actual story? If not, let's wait and see what actually happens in the movie.
shareAnd *that* is how sock puppets talk to each other! Hope you had fun. I found the whole thing tedious.
* pretends interest while subtly insulting OP*
*gets upset at misunderstanding and defends! Defends! Defends,*
*pretends chagrin at upsetting and sincerely asks for clear explanation*
Rinse lather repeat.
Sock puppets? What are you talking about? Judging from venus's posting history, he/she is not a troll. Or are you implying that Venus and I are the same person? In which case that would be the absurd. why argue with myself. Just take a look at the posting histories. Other than this board, we've never been in the same board before. It's just two people who had a debate. It happens. That's the point of IMDb.
You seem amazed, that people can actually talk like that.
Hope you learned something from it, it is rare on imdb.
And thanks for the analysis, do you want to follow me around so you can analyse some more?^^
I am a signature. Call me George.
Darling, you are not interesting enough for anyone to want to "follow you around," alas.
OP, you forgot to mention the Eewww Factor, which may explain everything.
Could have been an interesting thread. Killed by the ubiquitous Meh Factor.
Ah, well, on to the next!
No point in trying to fill in that blank. . . .
There is no "ew" factor. It's Colin Firth. Plus, similar age differences have been done already in classics like Sabrina. Not to mention real-life romances between people like Bogart and Bacall and Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
It's not so hard to understand that people who indeed are younger might be grossed out by the age difference, when older people don't mind so much.
Everyone knows the passage of time is relative and feels exponentially shorter as we grow old.
I have an older brother who is six years my senior. When we were kids, he felt ages older than me. Now we're both grownups and it's like we're the same age.
Same thing for these kids. No need to patronize them.
- A point in every direction is the same as no point at all.
Darling, you are not interesting enough for anyone to want to "follow you around," alas.
And *that* is how sock puppets talk to each other! Hope you had fun. I found the whole thing tedious.
* pretends interest while subtly insulting OP*
*gets upset at misunderstanding and defends! Defends! Defends,*
*pretends chagrin at upsetting and sincerely asks for clear explanation*
Rinse lather repeat.
I found it tedious too.
shareWell if someone in their early twenties have a problem with the age difference in these films, then they better broaden their mind, and stop trying to sound like prudes.
shareAs far as real life age difference I don't see a problem but it's the repetitiveness in Woody's movies that come off as obsessive. I still enjoy his films regardless but he definitely has a fetish going on there. (Not that there is anything wrong with that)
I am Luxurious
I've noticed a pattern, too. They're all cretins.
shareDefinitely a generalization but doesn't your example of lack of maturity and world experience in young people go against the argument that age gaps are irrelevant?
shareAn interesting observation. Here are a few observations I have noticed:
1.) Young adults, particularly under 25, having very little life experience (like you stated) and don't understand life beyond what caters to them. Everything they do, from dating, to listening to music and the movies they watch, pertains to being 16-25. Anything beyond that is just "old." I remember reading a study about how certain age demographics all have differing views as to what constitutes middle age. In this particular study, senior citizens believed it starts in your 50s, 30 and 40-somethings think somewhere in your 40s, and people 16-24 thought it was late 20s. As someone in their late 20s -- WTF! That right there should show you how close-minded and limited in scope young people are. The idea of entertaining a May-December for many of them is "gross", and those who are willing to see past age are viewed as having daddy (or mommy) issues.
2.) The average age gap between couples in this US is anywhere between 2-5 years. Because the average married couple is close in age and national marriage ages reflect that -- currently 27 for a woman and 29 for a man -- there is this prevailing belief that you HAVE to date and marry someone in your age bracket. On the opposite end of the spectrum, wealthy, powerful men tend to have much younger spouses. I read a study that found between Fortune 500 CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs (excluding those still on their 1st marriage), tend to remarry (2nd or 3rd marriage) a woman 20-22 years younger, on average. So now you have two sets of extremes: average people with average options dating and marrying under a limited, myopic scope...and older, rich men/younger, beautiful women marrying for economic and social reasons; there seems to be no in between.
3.) Kind of going along with #2, we tend to coddle 20-somethings and treat them as extended adolescents nowadays (this wouldn't have happened in the Bogart-Bacall era) , so again, this prevailing belief that they should only be with their own age group. Anyone over 30 would apparently be taking advantage of them.
4.) May-Decembers in Hollywood make women of a certain age feel displaced. They tend to be common in cinema, but there seems to be this dissenting view that there always wonderful, beautiful age-appropriate actresses for these older actors and it isn't fair that you rarely see May-Decembers in the opposing scenarios (older woman/younger man). Personally, I don't mind them and if the chemistry, acting and everything about the filmmaking works, I overlook them. I do, however, become wary of certain leading men who insist on having leading ladies much younger (Firth isn't one of them). Sharon Stone told a story once that when she was in her late 30s, she ran into a few situations where some leading men in their 40s and 50s complained to producers that Stone was too old for them and they wanted someone younger. That prevailing attitude in Hollywood has turned off some viewers in the modern era of film. Still, I don't think you can view this as something in a vacuum and just like any pairing in Hollywood, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
5.) People can't overlook nor see past Woody Allen's personal life, hence even more scrutiny for his films.
Just my two cents.
There are few things as fetching as a bruised ego on a beautiful angel.
People can't overlook nor see past Woody Allen's personal life, hence even more scrutiny for his films.
[deleted]
@eXQSclT6.
Innocent until proven guiltyI don't think Funbuckett was talking about Woody Alllen being accused of molesting his daughter.If Funbuckett was talking about that then this post
Woody never proved to be guilty.
Innocent until proven guiltywould probably be appropriate. share
Woody never proved to be guilty.
And yet one of her brothers - Moses - has no problems with the relationship, while the others have yet to break free from Mafia Arrow's abuse and brainwashing.
I think the weirdness is entirely in your own festering little mind.
@Funbuckett.
True but only because he slept with a girl who he knew from the age of 10 and is the sister of his children. share
So now when we see his obsession with older men and young girls, it's not as innocent as it seemed. It is a little hard to remove that from your mind.
I am all about suspending reality but it does gross me out a little thinking how weird his mind works while writing the script.
I think this is the way it's always been. When I was in college, I loved Ghost World but aside from one other friend, no else my age shipped Seymour with Enid even though I felt they would be perfect for each other.
P.S. This was more than ten years ago.
Actually the huge age difference between actors in the old movies is one of the main reasons I don't like them. Excuse me if my lack of snobbery comes off as ignorance to you; but I don't find it fair that you immediately assume that not being a fan of Bogart and Bacall or generally a fan of classic cinema, makes you a fan of Twilight! Or that it says you have "little life experience".
It's just a question of personal taste and just because we don't agree with your own taste doesn't give you the right to generalize about our lives and subtly imply that we are stupid and lack culture.
My parents were born a few months apart from each other and I blame this practically non-existent age gap for my dislike of noticeable age differences in fictional characters. This, and the fact that I view love as something that ideally exists between two people who are equals to one another. When the difference is too big, I suddenly start feeling like the younger of the two is somehow in a relationship with someone who would be better suited as a parent figure, rather than a lover. We need to outgrow our emotional (and sometimes even financial and social) dependency on those who are older and more experienced than us, but a relationship with someone who could've fathered you has a better shot at keeping you a life-long child in mind - rather than help you grow.
Not to even mention the fact that women were TRADITIONALLY coupled with older men because they were seen as some sort of pets, useful only for their role in child-bearing (so a young, fertile age was desirable), while the men themselves didn't need to worry about these things and could spend their youth learning and enjoying life as they wished... only to settle down and start a family once all of that was done.
Maybe when you see Bogart and Bacall you see an epic romance and get all warm and fuzzy because it helps you think of yourself as a "true" cinephile, superior to us ignorant 20-somethings. But all I see is the remnants of a society that had to come up stories like "Beauty and the Beast" to calm down their daughters, when they were being forced to marry older men.
But hey, what do I know? I don't agree with you and am only 24 years old, so I'm probably just some uncultured internet idiot who loves Twilight and has her room wallpapered in One Direction posters.
Hey Voice,
You have made a number of points which make a lot of sense to me. I have long enjoyed Bogart and Bacall on film as well as radio. They did work well together, but when the film was over and the lights came back on, I had to wonder what the attraction was for the two of them. He was twenty-five years older than she. What did they talk about after the cameras stopped shooting? Hollywood has always been casting men with women young enough to be their daughters, and I have always considered it a bad practice in film as well as in life.
You could say that I am old enough to have had more than a "little life experience," and in those years, nothing in my life experience would lead me to believe older men going after young girls is likely to be anything that would reflect a healthy relationship. You said you viewed love "as something that ideally exists between two people who are equals to one another," and I think that is well said.
I have been married for fifty years to a gal who is several years older than I, but our age difference was never such that either of us was subservient to the other. When I was a young lad, I thought Dinah Shore was a real good looking babe even though she was old enough to be my mother. I did not, however, have any attraction for Dinah Shore as a spouse. In a similar vein, for several years now I have thought Gabrielle Anwar is a real good looking babe, but I do not delude myself into thinking I should have a relationship with her. I have two daughters older than Anwar, and there is something in the hard wiring of my brain that that tells me there is something wrong with drooling over someone younger than my daughters.
There is also something in my brain that makes me repel at the idea of a man my age seeking the company of one of my daughters. Sorry, but when I see older guys chasing young gals, I think of predator and prey. I simply do not understand that thing. Yes, a twenty-five year old gal or guy may have some appeal of youth that my wife and I have lost over our years, but what do you do with them after sex? What do you talk to them about over dinner?
As for me, give me my wife. She has been my best pal for more than our fifty years of marriage. We were together when we watched live Rock & Roll shows (before they were called concerts), we were together when we stayed up all night to watch man land on the moon, we were together when we watched the Berlin Wall fall, and we have been together as we have lost our parents, classmates, and friends over the years. We have much to share and discuss together. Both of us are dependent on each other, but we have also grown together.
You may be "only 24," but you have a good head on your shoulders and are quite discerning.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile