Posted by SamLowry at cdm-66-12-131-tyrd.cox-internet.com on January 20, 2003 at 15:56:46:
In Reply to: I didn't care a thing for posted by Isis on January 20, 2003 at 15:34:23:
Of course, what follows are just my observations and my opinions. I can understand your point of view, but I personally disagree with it.
: 1) I didn't like the icky statutory storyline or the implications about how women are empty-headed and/or cruel.
You know, I didn't see it that way. Cruel, yes, as far as bored teenage girls go. Empty-headed? On the contrary, I saw Enid and Rebecca as very smart characters. Too smart for their own good, in fact. So smart that they saw themselves as better than everyone else, and the storyline does follow through to a conclusion where they have learned a lesson and as such, are ready to make a change. Rebecca reaches this pointed midway through the movie; for Enid, it takes longer.
: 2) It was completely depressing and negative about life and the prospects for change. It DE-inspired me.
I'll grant you depressing up to a point. I think that in the end it did offer hope for change in that Enid eventually sees Seymour for what he is. It had a very uncompromising ending and that does put people off. I can see your point there. Personally, I saw hope in the ending. Hope for Seymour and hope for Enid to grow as a person.
: 3) I kept expecting for the plot to actually go somewhere, or for there to be a storyline arc, and there wasn't. Enid starts out bored, doing stupid things, does some random things through the movie, nothing changes, etc. etc., the end.
Refer to above. The storyline arc is there, it just doesn't come to a full closure. As for "nothing changes"; well, yes it does. Having experienced life after shutting themselves off from society (either emotionally or physically), both Seymour and Enid are prepared to take the next step. And that is a very important point.
I'm not trying to stir up trouble or get you to change your mind. I think you came by your opinion of the film honestly and you're welcome to that analysis and that opinion. I just happen to disagree.