User: Hello. I heard you are looking for a film to see this weekend. I have some recommendations.
Assistant: Really? Great. I don't like sappy romances, just so you're aware. Got any recommendations for drama, horror or period films?
User: I'm with you on the romance: I steer clear of anything that involves star-crossed lovers who may or may not end up together! Some current films I have seen are The Goldfinch, Countdown, and Downton Abbey.
Assistant: I didn't watch the Downton Abbey series so I might not understand what's going on if I go to see the movie. Does it matter?
User: Actually, yes, it matters. You definitely wouldn't understand what's going on if you didn't already know who the characters are and what their backstory is. Let's narrow it down between The Goldfinch and Countdown. Would you rather leave a theater feeling scared or inspired?
Assistant: I want a film to stay with me for days after I have watched it. So I guess I would rather be scared when I leave a theater because maybe the film will give me nightmares. Are you talking about Countdown? I've heard it's scary.
User: If you want a film to have a personal impact on you, I would not pick a horror film. Even if it gives you nightmares, the fear is only temporary because horror films like Countdown are exaggerating what could happen and inventing monsters or demons. I would suggest an inspiring drama like The Goldfinch if you really want the film to echo back to you in the future.
Assistant: Isn't The Goldfinch an adaptation from a novel? I thought novel adaptations were always slow and boring.
User: It might be a little slow for you, depending on what kinds of movies you watch most often, and yes, The Goldfinch is based off of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Donna Tartt.
Assistant: So it sounds like your number-one recommendation for me is The Goldfinch. Have your friends seen it, too? Did they like it?
User: I actually went to see it with my mom. She hadn't read the book so she didn't know the story beforehand. I had a different approach to the film because I had already read the book and I knew the story. My mom thought it was a really thought-provoking movie. A little sad but very moving.
Assistant: That sounds like the type of movie I would like to see. I want to be touched by a film, but not in an icky, romantic way. You know? But I thought I heard that The Goldfinch wasn't doing so well in theaters.
User: Back on opening weekend, it didn't do so well. But I think most people don't know what it's about, so they didn't want to take a chance and see a movie they weren't sure they would like. I can assure you, though: if you like drama and you want a film to stay with you, I would see The Goldfinch.
Assistant: Okay, that sounds great. Maybe the critics were wrong about this one: even though it's a novel adaptation, maybe it isn't a flop.