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August 16, 2006
Sleepless in Seattle vs. the Simpsons
So, we've watched a couple of chick flicks recently. Tim owes me for braving through Band of Brothers--just kidding! Every time we rewatch When Harry Met Sally, there's a new nuance we laugh at, maybe because it's a movie that completely revolves around interesting conversations.
Anyways, along the same vein--being on a slight Meg Ryan kick--we watched Sleepless in Seattle. I had watched it long ago and only had vague memories of it. Tim had never seen it before. I remembered the hype about it years ago, and remembered not thinking it was all that great, but was fine with trying it again.
Tim had a bad attack of allergies tonight and I was fighting off a cold so we both sniffled and tissued our way through the movie. I was struck by the fact that the main defect of Fiance #1 (played by Bill Pullman) was that he had bad allergies. Other than that, he was sweet, kind, thoughtful and generous.
I don't mind a good chick flick, it doesn't have to be terribly deep. But S in S was trite and smarmy. And the "message" was awful, just dressed up in fluffiness to look cute.
It was about an affair! Sure, Meg Ryan and Bill Pullman were only engaged, but they were living together and had promised to marry each other. So, when the going gets dull (or sniffly), follow your romantic inclinations, dump your partner, and find true love. We both would have been in trouble tonight--sniffle, sniffle, snort, snort, sneeze, sneeze. And your partner will practically say "go get 'em, Tiger" right after you dump him? And talking to your eight year old son about "getting laid" is cute?!?!?
I bet I know people who think this movie is oh-so-sweet, but would be scandalized by The Simpsons. And there are a few "oh my" moments where The Simpsons goes a bit too far. But I find them much more refreshing than the cotton candy coated junk we ingested tonight. Sure, I wouldn't let young kids watch it, but I think much of the time the "shocking" stuff in the Simpsons satires (and critiques!!) stuff out already out there.
I distinctly remember an episode where a younger, sexy singer who shares many of his interests (beer and eating, mainly) gets interested in Homer. And Homer turns her down because doltish as he seems sometimes, he's shown as having a heart of gold and being deeply committed to his family.
It seems to me in lasting love, that the "dull moments" are part of the romance, the threads that form the foundation for the sparkly moments woven in between, both coming together to create a strong and durable relationship.
I'll take a Duff over fluff any night!
movies | By Tim and Jo | 9:38 PM
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Comments
to me the real love story of SiS is tom hanks and his first wife... "You get out of bed every morning and breath in and out each day and then one day you don't have to remind yourself to get out of bed each morning and breath in and out all day long..."
The best relationships in that movie aren't the main characters but rather Meg and Rosie, Tom and his sister (in the movie- wife in real life) and Daid Hyde Pierce all by himself (I find him funny without even trying!!)
Message? It doesn't have a message that I'm aware of... never thought it did. But you're right- the movie does focus too much on the Meg character and her.... I don't know what to call it... behavior. But (imho) she doesn't dump Bill because he has allergies and is boring... she comes to the realization that it's not ment to be (the whole "magic" speech) It just happens (for story convience) that Tom's character is available.
The first time that I watched it with Mark (he'd never seen it) he was in tears within the first 5 minutes (the funeral sceen.) He looked at me and said "Don't you go anywhere!"
That my friends is the whole goal of a chick flick!
Have you tried "The Truth About Cats and Dogs"?
Posted by: Karen Paddison at August 17, 2006 12:28 PM
thinking about this again.... ( I need to get a life). My favorite relationship in this movie to me is the one between Meg Ryan and Rosie O'Donnel. If you pay attention, throughout the movie the only one that Meg's character says "I love you" to is her friend Becky. It's a wonderful protrayal of friendship that every woman should have in her life.
Women can life quite well without men in their lives... we barely survive without one true friend.
I'll let this topic go now, and move on with my life.
Posted by: karen Paddison at August 31, 2006 10:04 AM
You're right, Karen! I do appreciate the Tom Hanks' character's love for his wife, and the girl friendship. I guess I was a little crabby when I wrote the review.
Girl friendship is sooooo important. I remember reading about the 1950s and the problem that came up with women and depression (though I don't think they knew what to call it then--I think they called it the Woman Problem) when extended families/life-long friendships for women became more and more broken up through suburbanization.
PS I adore Firefly--I think Tim told you that I'm watching through it again.
Posted by: Joanna at August 31, 2006 2:34 PM
Ah... Firefly.... I'd leave my husband for Captain Tightpants!! Only three months until I see him in person at the convention! And Wash, and Jayne.... Life will be good!
(I'm way too adicted!)
Posted by: karen Paddison at September 3, 2006 2:10 PM