Why do modern liberals keep making message films?


I wanted to see The Hoax. I am not sure I want to see it anymore
Dirty Harry over at libertas has a review of The Hoax. I want to draw special attention to this bit.

Taking your audience out of a film — even to trash Chimpy BusHitler’s illegal war in Iraq — is not good filmmaking. A good filmmaker makes his point without killing the story. A good filmmaker makes his point without wielding the hammer. Do you think all these liberal critics would be gushing over The Hoax if it suddenly skidded to a halt to trash Hillary Clinton? Of course not. But as we all know by now, bad filmmaking’s given a pass if the target’s right.

And it really is heartbreaking because there’s a great movie in there. Irving’s an absolutely fascinating character and Gere is superb in his best role in years. He makes Irving surprisingly sympathetic, especially at the beginning. It’s scary how much you root for him – but hard not to after watching the publishing company treat him so shabbily. Anyone who’s ever suffered that cruel kind of dismissive rejection will get a huge kick out of watching Irving turn the tables and jump them through the hoops, because now he has what they want. This dog created his own day; and you cheer every lie, power play, and dishonest victory. Who hasn’t dreamed of outsmarting the people who mercilessly wield the power to drop you into despair?

Dirty Harry makes an important point there.

Look, I am a film buff. I really enjoy a good film and many a not so good film. But you know, I couldn't stand Happy Feet. And I am a Pagan and environmentalist.

ENOUGH WITH THE BLOODY MESSAGE FILM ALREADY!

Most directors don't have the brass, experience, or skill to pull it off.

When people go to a film, they usually want to be entertained.

They don't want to hear about how Bush is the Ultimate Evil. And when those films fail, as they almost always do, all that has happened is that Bush & Co. have been further isolated from criticism.

If I want to see a scam movie, that is what I what I want to see at the moment. If I want to see a animated film with singing and dancing animals, then that is what I want to see. If I want to see a slasher film, then that is what I want to see.

Not some propaganda.

I'm pretty ecumenical in my film tastes. I will watch almost anything. But message films, especially CLUMSY message films, annoy me. Annoy me enough and I will start actively working against your cause just to keep the agitators busy so I can enjoy my films in peace.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Thu - April 19, 2007 at 05:38 AM  Tag


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