I wish you gave more examples of what you consider complex adult storytelling in direct relation to EEAAO. It's hard to read this as a critique of the film, or even of its supportive critics vs. a wishlist of what you want to see more in contemporary movies.
And there is something very dismissive in shaming adult viewers for watching Steven Universe, or calling movies "kid food", assuming that they watch it for easy answers to life questions, instead of finding that these works convey feelings and thoughts they must have had in life, but have never seen being portrayed onscreen. Walter Chaw's essay on EEAAO comes to mind, of how it enlightened him of how his parents might have felt moving to another country, and the tumult of their marriage and family life as a result. It's therapeutic not in the sense of providing answers or a simplistic five-step program, but feeling listened to and seen, in a predominantly White Hollywood space that has shown the dynamics of predominantly White families.
It's fine to not be affected, or to not believe in it. I personally think that for such a secular film, EEAAO is the preachiest work I've seen in a long, long time. But it is a strange choice to belittle people for the stories they watch, often more complex than you make it, without knowing who they are or what they're getting out of it.
Loved this piece, didn't agree with all of it but definitely see your points and it got me thinking. I'm wondering what you'd suggest as pieces of cinema that are challenging, adult, and complex — the sorts of works that don't fit into this homogenized mold we're seeing. I have a few ideas myself, but I'm curious and would love to add some titles to my watchlist.
I wish you gave more examples of what you consider complex adult storytelling in direct relation to EEAAO. It's hard to read this as a critique of the film, or even of its supportive critics vs. a wishlist of what you want to see more in contemporary movies.
And there is something very dismissive in shaming adult viewers for watching Steven Universe, or calling movies "kid food", assuming that they watch it for easy answers to life questions, instead of finding that these works convey feelings and thoughts they must have had in life, but have never seen being portrayed onscreen. Walter Chaw's essay on EEAAO comes to mind, of how it enlightened him of how his parents might have felt moving to another country, and the tumult of their marriage and family life as a result. It's therapeutic not in the sense of providing answers or a simplistic five-step program, but feeling listened to and seen, in a predominantly White Hollywood space that has shown the dynamics of predominantly White families.
It's fine to not be affected, or to not believe in it. I personally think that for such a secular film, EEAAO is the preachiest work I've seen in a long, long time. But it is a strange choice to belittle people for the stories they watch, often more complex than you make it, without knowing who they are or what they're getting out of it.
Fantastic piece Kieran! Instant subscribe!
Loved this piece, didn't agree with all of it but definitely see your points and it got me thinking. I'm wondering what you'd suggest as pieces of cinema that are challenging, adult, and complex — the sorts of works that don't fit into this homogenized mold we're seeing. I have a few ideas myself, but I'm curious and would love to add some titles to my watchlist.
Loved this