On one level this is a hip independent movie set in New York City, highlighting the issues of friendship, love, commitment, careers, children, and the relative importance of each of these. On that level it is a successful if not particularly unique movie. The critics have leveled the charge of self-absorbed at it, and while that is a fair point, they say it like it's a bad thing. We are all self-absorbed. It is not often that movies take you down to the nitty gritty details of each characters self-absorbtion and allow you to reflect on it. I liked that part of the movie, but then, I like downbeat foreign films, so choose your poison.
The thing that is memorable for me about this movie, and one which is not resolved by the closing credits, is the relationship that develops between one of the film's main characters, Sam, and a boy he meets on the subway. Sam cannot understand why he is not able to be a foster parent for this child, and actually gets himself into a lot of trouble by bringing him home. The situation highlights the inflexibility of the rules and regulations of caring for children who are not your own. Should these be guidelines rather than inflexible rules? Should people who have an interest in a child be able to house those children and care for them? Should children who have a relationship with an adult be able to stay with that adult rather than going into foster care with a stranger? It just seems potentially traumatic and damaging to children the way it stands, and that is part of the story in this movie.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Happythankyoumoreplease (2010)
On one level this is a hip independent movie set in New York City, highlighting the issues of friendship, love, commitment, careers, children, and the relative importance of each of these. On that level it is a successful if not particularly unique movie. The critics have leveled the charge of self-absorbed at it, and while that is a fair point, they say it like it's a bad thing. We are all self-absorbed. It is not often that movies take you down to the nitty gritty details of each characters self-absorbtion and allow you to reflect on it. I liked that part of the movie, but then, I like downbeat foreign films, so choose your poison.
The thing that is memorable for me about this movie, and one which is not resolved by the closing credits, is the relationship that develops between one of the film's main characters, Sam, and a boy he meets on the subway. Sam cannot understand why he is not able to be a foster parent for this child, and actually gets himself into a lot of trouble by bringing him home. The situation highlights the inflexibility of the rules and regulations of caring for children who are not your own. Should these be guidelines rather than inflexible rules? Should people who have an interest in a child be able to house those children and care for them? Should children who have a relationship with an adult be able to stay with that adult rather than going into foster care with a stranger? It just seems potentially traumatic and damaging to children the way it stands, and that is part of the story in this movie.
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