Realism and The Lack There Of

How things should work and how they do.

My wife and I were having a conversation about how some movies go to the extent to show their characters going through the normal run of daily life. Like going to the bathroom, eating meals, dialing the phone before they talk, closing doors, actually showing pain after something painful happens.

I always said, If I made a movie, I would be strict to the details.

Who can list some movies that do the best job at paying attention to the details.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

AndyLaBryn:

My wife and I were having a conversation about how some movies go to the extent to show their characters going through the normal run of daily life. Like going to the bathroom, eating meals, dialing the phone before they talk, closing doors, actually showing pain after something painful happens.

 

I always said, If I made a movie, I would be strict to the details.

 

Who can list some movies that do the best job at paying attention to the details.

I'd say the Itallian Neorealism movement would be a lot like what you are talking about.  Films directed by Vittorio DeSica are my favorite.  Check out Umberto D.

This just in general seems like a quality of artistic narrative films rather than commercial ones.  With Hollywood you are going to get right to the action, the exciting plot, the real drama.  European and independent films are more likely to take their time showing real life.  It can be brilliant or painful to watch depending on the filmmaker and what they feel like they are doing by showing you these details.

I could list countless others.  I'm curious to hear what some examples that you were thinking of when you wrote this first.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

Well, anytime I see a bad action or drama, usually from the 80s or 90s, they never seem to care to keep events and repercussions consistant. Someone will be running in the rain, and once they enter a building or enclosure, nothing about them is wet anymore. Or someone will be driving at a normal pace, stop somewhere and walk away from the car with the lights on and door open. It's not like they're running away or in some hurried pace, they just overlook it because it's not real life, its a movie.

I notice a lot of american films, pre 1980s, do a decent job of keep things honest. Omega Man suprised me a couple of times, the fact that they showed him take his gas can from one car to the next near the beginning. Now sure, you can say they added a scene like that to help illustrate his dire situation, but the fact that they included it puts a better feel to the film. Unfortunately, while watching and pointing that out, something completely ridiculous would happen.

All the scenes in Rocky keep a pretty stern realism, which suprises me, because it's the type of film you'd expect mistakes to happen.

Once I get away from the workplace more stuff will come to mind for a better explanation.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

Re: How things should work and how they do.

I've seen Funny Ha Ha and it was pretty good.  Very low-budget and on the indie side, with the characters acting like real people to a considerable degree.  Things that usually don't make it into movies (like characters saying "i have to go to the bathroom") occur a lot here.  Also, most of the characters (particularly the guy played by the director) are neurotic, which could charm or annoy you depending on your viewpoint. 

I would recommend checking this movie out because Bujalski has a unique style and is a director to watch.  I have not seen Mutual Appreciation, but have heard it's a better film. 

Re: How things should work and how they do.