I noticed on Filmaffinity that cl had given a lukewarm rating to “The Sweet Hereafter”. I think almost as highly of that movie as I do of “Exotica”, and I almost chose it for my pick. (But I’m glad now to have done “Exotica” instead.) So Christy, I was wondering if you might have anything to say about your reaction to “The Sweet Hereafter”. You said that you didn’t know until recently that both these films were from the same director? Does knowing that make a difference? Or just more generally, how do you think the two movies compare?
Since “The Sweet Hereafter” wasn’t the club film, perhaps we should note any spoilers in the comments.
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Well, two thoughts here: One, anyone who hasn't registered for Filmaffinity might enjoy doing so. We can continue to build a "friends" list (DW, George, Kim, Erin and I have been on for varying lengths of time) and see how others rated different movies.
Next, yes, I can't answer Rick's comment without spoilers about "The Sweet Hereafter," so beware!
I gave "The Sweet Hereafter" a 5 on Filmaffinity. Because I thought so highly of "Exotica," which I'd rate at least a 9, I'd consider rewatching "Sweet Hereafter" for a closer look.
The tragic matter of the story content -- an accident that kills 14 children and another significant storyline about incest -- was difficult to watch. While there's a faint sense of justice in the end, the sense of tragedy is overwhelming and the investigation into the accident seemed slow. (And the buildup to the accident is brutal.) And I believe it's the pacing more than anything else that made me drop my score. I didn't know what vindication or revelations would come, but they were too long in the making.
That's not to say that I expect a movie to be upbeat or deliver a happy ending. There just weren't many likable characters in my recollection beside Sarah Polley's (but, DW, I was focused on her family for the most part) that made me care about what would come out of this grim situation. With "Exotica" I was more invested in the characters, and there was more mystery to build momentum.
Worth rewatching now, though? Yes. But boy, it's grim.
Filmaffinity has helped me find many good movies, but here’s an interesting experience I had recently. I had gone through the list that compiles the recommendations from all the “movie soulmates”. One movie on the list was “The Piano Teacher” by Michael Haneke. The Filmaffinity crew had all given it a seven or eight—not spectacular, but a solid endorsement. I started watching this movie late one night, and, about fifteen minutes into it, a scene started where I realized that I knew how the scene ended. But I couldn’t remember how the movie ended, so I watched some more. However, every single character was so nasty and obnoxious that I would throw them out of my house even if they were relatives. I decided that sleep would be far more rewarding than hanging around to the end of this annoying and boring film. So as far as I know, this is the only movie that I’ve walked out on twice. But I’ve bailed on two different Spike Lee movies for similar reasons.
On the other hand, there are some movies I like very well that feature rather unlikable characters. Mike Leigh’s “Naked” is one; Jane Campion’s “Sweetie” is another. One difference is that the characters in “The Piano Teacher” were fake—they seemed like some screenwriter’s idea of fucked up people and nothing more or less. To ask the “Exotica” question of trying to imagine what brought them to this point, the answer is nothing at all would. So I guess I don’t have to like the characters in a film, but if they are not interesting, then what’s the point?
I must have found the characters in “The Sweet Hereafter” to be more interesting than you did. As a side note, my Filmaffinity gang rates “The Sweet Hereafter” at “8.0” but “Exotica” at only “7.5”. That is because the lowest rating for “Hereafter” is a “7” but two people give “Exotica” a “5”.
Someone might crucify me for saying this, but I think Spike Lee is the most overrated director that ever came along, and, for all his acclaim on the subject, the one with the least compelling insights into relations between the races and the sexes. His movies are just people of different races shouting slurs at one another. His Malcolm X movie, which should have been a masterwork, was a travesty and a deep dishonor to that great American man.
I'm done ranting. Which two did you bail on?
I think I actually saw "The Sweet Hereafter" at some point. The bus crash sounds very familiar, but I probably turned it off.
I have to say I find movies with sexual violence virtually unwatchable. I don't want to see another man rape another woman or another child for as long as I live. Enough.
The first one you bailed too. We were watching “Jungle Fever” and we both decided that we had had enough of senseless yelling. The other was “Girl 6”.
Oh yeah! "Jungle Fever"! Hehe. Yeah, that movie had a lot of shouting. Didn't we stop watching after like 15 minutes?
I saw "She's Gotta Have It" in college and found it really sexist. I think I sort of liked "Do the Right Thing," but I can't remember sitting through any other of his films until the end.
DW, I haven't gone to FilmAffinity for a while and rechecked my "soulmates." I get a lot of the same recommendations: "Paths of Glory" (don't want to see) and "The Quiet Man," and "Mystic River," which I've heard too much about, and "The Unforgiven."
Also "Delicatessen," which I don't want to see.
But I always meant to see "Match Point." That I would rent.
The matchups are curious choices, though.
I have Bamboozled on DVD and I think it's good. I'm not sure why I think that, though.
Cl, you can click the “don’t recommend again” button for any of those you don’t want to see. That will free up space for new recommendations.
DW, did you see "Felicia's Journey," and was it any good?
No, I’ve just seen “Exotica” and “The Sweet Hereafter”. After I had seen those two, I started reading a bit about Egoyan and discovered that the two I had seen are most often considered his best. So I guess I’m prepared for the others to not live up to the same mark. Still, I am quite interested in seeing more of his films if they are easily available. (I haven’t looked yet.) As for “Felicia”, only four of my Filmaffinity “soulmates” have rated it, but two give it an “8”. I haven’t seen much said about it in the blogoland.
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