Comments on: Do Sam Mendes's Films Attack the State of American Marriage? http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage The best and latest movie news, reviews, features and editorials - updated daily Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:57:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Patty http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20315 Patty Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:23:36 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20315 I just finished watching the movie, and I'm personally grateful that Mendes exposes the dark realities of relationships and marriage. There is so much hiding, so much un-courageous behavior. We have dreams and hopes and visions - every one of us - but are we brave enough to pursue them? I just finished watching the movie, and I'm personally grateful that Mendes exposes the dark realities of relationships and marriage. There is so much hiding, so much un-courageous behavior. We have dreams and hopes and visions – every one of us – but are we brave enough to pursue them?

]]> By: Mimi http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20290 Mimi Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:00:10 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20290 I have been wondering this since I saw American Beauty. And then when he did Rev Road I couldn't help but wonder why this Brit was constantly making movies about the state of the American Marriage. The truth is marriages face the same trials and tribulations and go through the same rhythms around the world but he likes to pick scripts that focus on Americans. I think is based on the simple fact that American films get wider releases and he is the type of man that wants to know everyone (especially in Hollywood) has seen his films. If he made a film about a British couple not as many people would go to see it. I have been wondering this since I saw American Beauty. And then when he did Rev Road I couldn't help but wonder why this Brit was constantly making movies about the state of the American Marriage. The truth is marriages face the same trials and tribulations and go through the same rhythms around the world but he likes to pick scripts that focus on Americans. I think is based on the simple fact that American films get wider releases and he is the type of man that wants to know everyone (especially in Hollywood) has seen his films. If he made a film about a British couple not as many people would go to see it.

]]> By: BR http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20175 BR Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:15:44 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20175 Sam Mendes has always been an intriging director to me. I really want to see Away We Go because it looks brilliant, but i remember walking out of American Beauty feeling disgusted. It was almost like I needed to take a shower to get that movie off of me. I know that is a weird statement but i dont know how else to word it. I think its because the film took on several topics that are looked down upon and I didnt know how to react at the time. i almost felt biased towards Mendes after that, but I mustered up the courage and went to see Road to Perdition and he brought me back. But, I think it would be interesting to sit down with Mendes and discuss this topic with him personally and see his outlook on the subject Sam Mendes has always been an intriging director to me. I really want to see Away We Go because it looks brilliant, but i remember walking out of American Beauty feeling disgusted. It was almost like I needed to take a shower to get that movie off of me. I know that is a weird statement but i dont know how else to word it. I think its because the film took on several topics that are looked down upon and I didnt know how to react at the time. i almost felt biased towards Mendes after that, but I mustered up the courage and went to see Road to Perdition and he brought me back. But, I think it would be interesting to sit down with Mendes and discuss this topic with him personally and see his outlook on the subject

]]> By: Chris C http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20156 Chris C Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:55:02 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20156 I wouldn't say he attacks, but rather he rebukes the idealized American suburbia lifestyle. I think something we should look at is his ethnic background. It's quite interesting that while living in Britain, he made American Beauty which many feel captures the underbelly of the suburbs astonishingly well. Given his family's success, I don't think he's actually lived in an American suburb (rather a Manhattan penthouse of some sort)...I don't know where I'm going with that, but its intriguing, given that 3 of his 5 films have dealt with a subject I don't think he's experienced (I could, of course, be dead wrong and if I am, will somebody please correct me). @<a href="#comment-20136" rel="nofollow">sfsxsfg</a>: I don't know if we need to look at the writers as much as the director. Direction can change the tone of the scripts, and other directorial decisions (such as camerawork) can further change the scripts initial ambience. A good example of this would be the Kaufman-Clooney debacle with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Furthermore, Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida are a married couple; I don't think a married couple would rebuke what they themselves have prescribed to...seems rather hypocritical. I wouldn't say he attacks, but rather he rebukes the idealized American suburbia lifestyle. I think something we should look at is his ethnic background. It's quite interesting that while living in Britain, he made American Beauty which many feel captures the underbelly of the suburbs astonishingly well. Given his family's success, I don't think he's actually lived in an American suburb (rather a Manhattan penthouse of some sort)…I don't know where I'm going with that, but its intriguing, given that 3 of his 5 films have dealt with a subject I don't think he's experienced (I could, of course, be dead wrong and if I am, will somebody please correct me).

@sfsxsfg: I don't know if we need to look at the writers as much as the director. Direction can change the tone of the scripts, and other directorial decisions (such as camerawork) can further change the scripts initial ambience. A good example of this would be the Kaufman-Clooney debacle with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Furthermore, Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida are a married couple; I don't think a married couple would rebuke what they themselves have prescribed to…seems rather hypocritical.

]]> By: Paolo http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20151 Paolo Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:18:39 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20151 @<a href="#comment-20136" rel="nofollow">sfsxsfg</a>: Childlike movies? Not totally, but they are a little bit. I always thought that the tie that bind Sam Mendes movies (except for Perdition, which I haven't seen. And yes, that was the worst usage of that expression) is tactless, tactless people. When he collaborated with Alan Ball, who specialized on those characters, put those characters to the nth degree. Many people liked it, but I'm still on the fence with that. I wonder how unsympathetic the characters of Closer would have been if he ended up directing the movie version, after directing the play on Broadway. Anyway that's a good picture of Leo andKate. It looks like they're kissing near a waterfall. @sfsxsfg: Childlike movies? Not totally, but they are a little bit. I always thought that the tie that bind Sam Mendes movies (except for Perdition, which I haven't seen. And yes, that was the worst usage of that expression) is tactless, tactless people. When he collaborated with Alan Ball, who specialized on those characters, put those characters to the nth degree. Many people liked it, but I'm still on the fence with that. I wonder how unsympathetic the characters of Closer would have been if he ended up directing the movie version, after directing the play on Broadway.

Anyway that's a good picture of Leo andKate. It looks like they're kissing near a waterfall.

]]> By: adu http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20138 adu Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:34:27 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20138 I dont see it as an attack at all. The U.S. suffers from one the highest, if not highest, divorce rates in the world. So if a few poignant movies focus on the path to self-destruction, I can hardly blame the director for it. I dont see it as an attack at all. The U.S. suffers from one the highest, if not highest, divorce rates in the world. So if a few poignant movies focus on the path to self-destruction, I can hardly blame the director for it.

]]> By: sfsxsfg http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/do-sam-mendess-films-attack-the-state-of-american-marriage#comment-20136 sfsxsfg Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:51:08 +0000 http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/?p=17570#comment-20136 He doesn't write the scripts.He chooses scripts.So if you can "blame" anyone is the writer not the director.And obviously coming off the theater Mendes is interested in relationships between human beings.If they are unhappy or not is just a label we put to categorize it.Mendes and the screenwriter dig deeper.There's only choices,and no one can tell us if there are wrong or not.Mendes is interested in that subject.He doesn't make childlike movies.The good,the bad,the happy,the unhappy etc... A lot of people can't understand his movies.Don't know why,maybe people with all those superhero flicks have forgotten to understand dramas.I remember watching Revolutionary road,and at the breakfast scene i could hear whispers that April is crazy.I was mad.They couldn't see behind the obvious!So Mendes is for few.That's true. He doesn't write the scripts.He chooses scripts.So if you can "blame" anyone is the writer not the director.And obviously coming off the theater Mendes is interested in relationships between human beings.If they are unhappy or not is just a label we put to categorize it.Mendes and the screenwriter dig deeper.There's only choices,and no one can tell us if there are wrong or not.Mendes is interested in that subject.He doesn't make childlike movies.The good,the bad,the happy,the unhappy etc…
A lot of people can't understand his movies.Don't know why,maybe people with all those superhero flicks have forgotten to understand dramas.I remember watching Revolutionary road,and at the breakfast scene i could hear whispers that April is crazy.I was mad.They couldn't see behind the obvious!So Mendes is for few.That's true.

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