paulb@hcrvax.UUCP (Paul Bonneau) (04/23/84)
[] C'mon, these two movies don't deserve all the negative feedback. In both of them a very elemental idea is being exposed. Death. We all have to face it but that doesn't mean we have to talk about it, right? Those of you who would think me morbid, please read no further, because net.apathy is always ready to receive your replies :-). In a recent article, "Terms of Endearment" was seen to be a movie about two women inept at raising children. This may be true on the surface, but to totally ignore the death of a daughter (and mom) is kind of looking the other way, wouldn't you say? It wasn't an easy movie to watch, but it damn well had a message (which is open to individual interpretation of course, but don't deny its existence). "Garp" has been bounced around because of an apparent consensus of dislike for its author, John Irving. Maybe Irving IS a supreme {airhead|egocentric boob|etc} but his movie had a message as well. Again, the death of a son and of a father (although two different people this time) was thrown in our laps. How many directors are brave enough to make a movie about the number one unpopular dinner topic? How many writers to write a book? We should at least give them credit for their guts, even if they managed to mangle the theme (not in my opinion!) they at least made the attempt. -- Time to get back to net.apathy... Paul R. Bonneau (decvax|watmath|utzoo}!hcrvax!paulb
geller@rlgvax.UUCP (05/04/84)
This is my first article to be posted to net.movie. Welcome me, please. "The World According to Garp" was, perhaps, one of the best and most enjoyable films I have ever seen. I understand, though, that this might not be the case for a great many people. The best thing I think anyone can do in order to gain a better appreciation for this film is to read the book.* The book is a wonderful novel. It is superbly written, enjoy- able, even believable (to a point). You have to keep in mind that Irving's characters are a bit less realistic than a great many other characters you may have seen in movies or have read of in books. This, in my opinion, heightens the level of sheer enjoyment as the story and the characters mature. As to the quality of the film - I would consider the filming and the choreography to be quite good. *To make the effort to understand a piece of filmwork, to study the characters, to counter your criticisms with careful intraspection -- that is a homage to both the author and the people who made the film. Give credit to the efforts of others. (sorry about the proselytizing) David P. Geller Computer Consoles, Inc. {seismo}!rlgvax!geller Office Systems Group 11490 Commerce Park Drive Reston, VA 22091 703-648-3483