have you noticed that the reviews for this movie talk about what it ISN'T? for example, it is NOT about special effects, or action, or crime, etc? This is really unnecessary if there was something striking about what the film IS. In this particular instance, it is about several older women and a day they decide to take a bus somewhere... it's been a while since I saw it, so I can't remember every detail. but i probably wouldn't have been able to tell you afterwards either. Because what happens is inconsequential to the fact that, as the movie practically screams, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS!!!! IT'S ABOUT THESE PEOPLE, AND HOW THEY ARE SOMETHING UNUSUAL ON SCREEN SO THAT MUST MEAN THIS FILM IS SUPERIOR!!!!
Rule one of screen writing is that conflict equals drama. There is no conflict in this film, and therefore no drama, and essentially no story... and, apparently, no screenplay ether, since this film is AD-LIBBED, WITH THESE WOMEN TELLING YOU STORIES FROM THEIR LONG, SOULFUL, INTERESTING LIVES!!!!
Look, there is nothing wrong with watching a film about eight old ladies taking a day trip. I'm sure they are nice ladies, and I hope they had a great old time making the film, and frankly, there might be an audience for listening to old women tell their stories. I'm sure they have lots of lessons to impart an wisdom to pass down.
My biggest issue is the way the people promoting this film take a superior position regarding even the most meager expectations of what they deem 'typical' audiences. if you don't like this movie, they imply, then you are a mindless cretin who must have every single second of screen time filled with a gun battle or explosion to appreciate something that stimulates an organ NOT in you pants. Well, I love films, of all kinds, an I am more than willing to check out unusual fare at the local art house or video store. I didn't like this film because I didn't find these women to be all that interesting. Of course, this will subject me to all manner of ad hominem attacks, pre-supposing that I must only be able to tolerate gunplay and fart jokes, like every OTHER person without the intelligence and "patience" for this film.
Sorry. I have nothing against character studies that build slowly. I have nothing against low key dramas. But the films I like DO need something that makes them interesting. If its not going to b a strong narrative, then something else... unique visual style, or something.
ALL this film gives you is atypical protagonists, and a superior attitude about its subject matter. It's like one of those bad documentaries that assumes its subject alone makes it worthy of your attention and support. Maybe I should care about a bad neighborhood revitalized by a garden, or the plight of migrant sweet potato farmers. But if the documentary about those things is boring and pretentious, then I am under no obligation to claim I like the film because it is about something that affects people lives.
Sure, these are, as I said before, nice old women. And maybe we should pay more attention to them in society. But making a boring, chore of a movie not only does nothing to boost that cause, but not liking it does not make me a thick headed dolt. It i not a zero sum game, and my finding fault with this inert blob of a movie says nothing about my tolerance for social issues or my preference for films.
Bottom line... this film was boring. It was a chore, and never engaged me, or tried to, even one time. You will either want to hear what these people say, and find it fascinating, or you won't.And if you don't, then the film has nothing for you. And apparently the people pushing it know that, as they almost immediately start with the guilt trips. Read the positive reviews. See how many don't try and goad you into liking it because they say NOT liking it says something about you. It doesn't. A film has to live as a film. Hey, I didn't like Pearl Harbor, but that says nothing about my feelings for WWII vets. Likewise, not liking 'Strangers in Good Company' says nothing about me, other than I don't like boring movies. And it is boring.
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