On the outside looking in

Suspension of disbelief is what enables us to escape into books, movies and TV. It is an art that for children come as second nature and one that, as adults, seem to desert us. Over time, I have increasingly felt that this facility harder and harder to come by. I have found myself reading non-fiction more and more. My desire to watch the latest blockbusters from Hollywood is waning. Like Peter Pan who lost his shadow, I seem to have lost the ability to harness imagination.

What happened?

My first reaction was that films nowadays have declined. Now nothing more than vehicles to demonstrate special effects, today's films engage us as a rollercoaster ride would: quite gripping, but the effect only lasts for a few minutes. How fitting then, that critics call action movies a 'rollercoaster ride.' Just like a thrill ride, it leaves its audience wanting for more because the thrill is so fleeting.

While I believe that there is some truth to this, I do not believe that this is the cause of my current malaise. Its not like I used to watch 'deep' films when I was younger. Having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I gobbled up everything on offer: slasher flicks, teen coming-of-age movies, sci-fi, comedy. Everything. But somehow, those movies could take me away. Even as I watch these old movies now, they still seem to be able to do the trick.

Maybe its because something called 'life' happened. Having gone through some of life's experiences (both good and bad), facing real responsibilities and disenchantment has played a part.

Today special edition dvds come out that explain in excruciating detail how a movie was made. Director's commentaries discuss each scene, its purpose, the changes it has undergone. Books discuss film theory, camera angles, lighting and the creative process. I'm just as fascinated with this as everyone else - but I now have second thoughts. This peek behind the scenes ruins the illusion - much like a magician who reveals the secrets of his tricks, once you know the magic vanishes (pun intended).

Frankly, at this stage, I couldn't care less about how movies are made - I care about their ability to take me away, to make me believe, to allow escape.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 1:35 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.