Movie Cliches

[Deleted]

Ah yes, The Family Man is one of those movies that upholds the cliche that "without a family you would just be an assy workaholic with no joy in your life and uber modern furniture in an apartment with a great view." With a family you're in a messy victorian and you have a shit job but you're HAPPY.

I would love for someone to wake up in their alternate unmarried life and it's pretty much the same--same job, same apartment, mostly the same friends, just different furniture.

[starskin]

Are there any movies that feature the uptight-corporate-drone-meets-dying-freespirit plotline with the sexes of the characters reversed? I think I'd find that at least somewhat interesting....

Oh, and the whole cliche of the Magical Black Man annoys the crap out of me. You know, vaguely mysterious but kindly black man from a low class background (usually played by my beloved Morgan Freeman) teaches confused white man the secrets of life. I'm always glad to see Morgan Freeman in stuff, but surely they can write more roles for him!

[petals]

starskin said:

Oh, and the whole cliche of the Magical Black Man annoys the crap out of me. You know, vaguely mysterious but kindly black man from a low class background (usually played by my beloved Morgan Freeman) teaches confused white man the secrets of life. I'm always glad to see Morgan Freeman in stuff, but surely they can write more roles for him!

Don't forget the mystical Native American, complete with wind blowing through his hair and the sound of wind instruments in the background.

[Hamatron]

Or the Asian guy-- he imparts haiku-style wisdom that can later be used by white guys... usually in battle.

And the middle-eastern dude-- mystical, often tattooed, eventually disappears into the sand as if he was a mirage.

[Deleted]

jane said:

I saw Sweet November on a plane once. Even without headphones, I could tell exactly what it was about and where it was going.

Are there actually people who like that sort of film?

Yes. They are called my mom, and in addition to liking crap like that she has never met a romantic comedy she didn't like. She's also managed to drag my dad into it as well. It makes me very sad.

[livviebway]

Are there any movies that feature the uptight-corporate-drone-meets-dying-freespirit plotline with the sexes of the characters reversed? I think I'd find that at least somewhat interesting....

Kate and Leopold kind of does that. I mean, Leopold isn't a dying freespirt, but Kate's an uptight corporate drone? That said, the movie is awful and even my love of Hugh Jackman couldn't salvage it.

[satellite]

Kate and Leopold kind of does that. I mean, Leopold isn't a dying freespirt, but Kate's an uptight corporate drone? That said, the movie is awful and even my love of Hugh Jackman couldn't salvage it.

Guys in movies aren't really allowed to be "free spirits"- that translates to unemployed loser or wacky hippy type, or brooding artist who's either a druggy or cheater.

Even in Sweet Home Alabama they made sure to set up the true love with a lucrative career at the end so we'd know that Reese's charcater wasn't really taking a step down into the middle class or anything, heaven forbid!

[thecupcakekid]

Kate and Leopold reinforces the whole "woman needs a man and no job and simpleness" cliche though. I mean...she goes back in time to marry him. What the hell was she thinking? I love Hugh Jackman, but do you know what I love more? Electricity. Cars. Vaccinations. Fresh Meat.

[mrspickles]

Starskin, the closest I can get to that scenario is Boys on the Side. Only with Whoopi Goldberg as the free spirited man type character.

ETA- I suppose she could also be the Mystical Black Man in that one, huh?

[sugarhigh]

thecupcakekid said:

Kate and Leopold reinforces the whole "woman needs a man and no job and simpleness" cliche though. I mean...she goes back in time to marry him. What the hell was she thinking? I love Hugh Jackman, but do you know what I love more? Electricity. Cars. Vaccinations. Fresh Meat.

Not to mention...tampons!