And make no mistake, it is dead. This film works because of the nostalgia, we like to believe we want it the old way.. but how often do you listen to CDs and watch films on VHS?
That being said, in the last year, there has definitely been something in the air. 'Midnight In Paris', 'Hugo' and 'The Artist', all nostalgic films about bygone eras. We miss the heart and soul that these old movies had. Problem is, we can't access it in the modern age, we can only look back.
'The Artist' is a sweet film that, in all probability, is not as good as the hype, and definitely not as good as the films from the era it's set in. I guess that was hard for me.. the old film sets and silent stylings got me thinking; thinking that I really want to watch 'City Lights', just like 'My Week With Marilyn' just made me want to see Marilyn Monroe again.
These films can't reproduce the magic they're inspired by, they can only remind us. And watching 'The Artist' you can't help but think I wish films were still like this, or even I wish life was like this.
'Midnight In Paris' put it the most poignantly; every generation longs for the ones that came before, and we cling to them rather than face the present. If we are to take anything from 'The Artist', 'Midnight In Paris' and 'Hugo', It's that the romance and magic of days gone by are still here in us, otherwise these films would hold no appeal. They're hidden there behind our laptops, underneath our tweets, buried under the CGI.
We still care.
We still have hearts.
And we need to do more to make that a reality for and in our current lives, for they are the only ones we truly get to live.
That's too bad it didn't live up to your expectations. I had a similar experience last month when I saw The Descendants. As a giant Alexander Payne fan, and after reading all the 5-star reviews, I was expecting glory. I don't know why I didn't see it when so many others did, but I left feeling empty and disappointed.
ReplyDeleteAt least, as you say, you can always go back and re-watch the films that inspired this one. That's the best thing about being a fan of the classics: they'll always be there for you. :)
Awwww... great post, Kid. :) I think you're right in that the nostalgic movies about the past just make us miss the real thing more than anything else. Sad but true. But nostalgia is still rose-colored... nobody remembers the bad stuff about the past, which is dangerous sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews!