Controversial, obviously

Rating: Null/10 (15 January 2004)

I watched this movie just tonight (caught it on TV) and as i watched it, i laughed many times, and cried quite a few, much more than i'd expect (i don't usually cry when watching cinema).
While i was amazed at what i was watching, i was also amazed that this is a Hollywood production... and i wondered if this is (i.e. how much) a copy of some other uknown (to me) endeavours, and how much watered-down version of what it's about or what it could have been... just because it's Hollywood, and it (as i found out later) it won some Oscars.
After i've seen the movie, i quickly came to IMDB to see people's comments. Because, this definitely IS one of the movies that DO make you (me?) do that, weather you like them or not. And, it lived up to my expectation of being a totally controversial one. I think in average there's 2 or 3 praising comments to 1 spitting comment. But one thing is sure: there's no "undecided votes". People obviously think this is either THE best movie they've seen, or that it's a total crap, stolen moments from better, real artistic films, or a Hollywood misguided/misguiding version of suburbia life, or whatever.
Now, i can, couriously enough, understand both sides. And still not be "in the middle". I think this is a very USEFUL movie, and -- now hold yer pants -- i thing God likes it. Why? Because it is so moving, in a good (very good) way. I know a thing or two about the old God pal, and i know He likes that. From the IMDB comments alone i can see that it turned more than one (young?) person's mind and heart to things more substantial than "career" and "successs". A film so moving is definitely at least SIGNIFICANT. A film so moving, EXCEPT to those who have seen better "versions" of it, and i do believe there are some (films). Of all mentioned "originals" i've seen only Happyness, and i too think that in essence, it is better, stronger, and both more real and surreal at the same time. But this movie has one advantage over those films, the very dread of those who hate it: it has won Oscars, and it's a A-production Hollywood movie.
Because, how many people have seen Happyness, and espec. all other films better than American Beauty? If you're not living in dreams, you know: VERY little.
This IS a "people's" version of high art, of _real_value_ in art and (more importantly) in life; but people ARE exactly those who need the message of this, and other similar, films. And this film shows excellence in getting this message across, and at the same time appealing to much (MUCH) broader audience than all it's "originals". And NOT by selling out the main guts of the movie, but by production and style. If you call it just another Hollywood buff, please count how many times you have seen movies where main characters indulge in sex fantasies (and realities) with minors winning Oscars. Or where pot-smoking and selling (!) by main characters gets no judgment. Not that i'm advocating Sex'n'Drugs, but -- for an Oscar winner! -- this is a hard-core.
On another note, i see much disagreement about "reality", or "realness" of the film - and it's characters. Although i belong to those who like this film very much, i don't share the majority's view that the characters, situations are "realistic". They're NOT. They're not inexistent (God knows thare's much worse things going on around the world and around the clock). But they're not average. But they were not meant to be. They're all caricatures, and representing each a certain portion of people around you and me (us included). It is the same in Happyness, and in Pianist, and in all other "good" movies. They're NOT real; they're hyper-real. They're more-than-real. They're Reality Overdone. Because, art simply does that.

Just before i quit (this is getting long!), i'd also like to mention the adorable music score by Thomas Newman. Before it hit me what a movie i was watching (and alongside the amazing lines, dialogues, scenes, FEELINGS), i was amazed at the music. The best possible compliment: i wished i this was my music.
For those of you who are wondering to watch this film or not: there's no way to tell weather you'll like it or not: but be certain: you won't be undecided about it. Chances are, you'll LOVE it. If you're one of those who regard art more important than life, maybe you won't. Not that i'm against really good art (meaning better than this); no, i'm an artist myself, and i can see why certain people don't like this. But still i think art is a part of life and not vice-versa, and i regard this film (at least) IMPORTANT, life-wise.
Just see it, tonight, and know for sure.
P.S. appologies for excessive use of CAPITALS, sometimes i feel i need to accent some words :)