Growing up in the south (Georgia) and taking Georgia History, I have to say this was not at all what I expected from the film. It gave me more of a reality television show feel then an intellectual feel. There were times through out the film when McElwee would say one random fact about Sherman’s march then go back to something else, leaving the audience wondering why even talk about Sherman’s march. The film was clearly about his journey through the south trying to court various southern women. Each failed attempt brought drama to the screen as the next woman brought new entertainment. I left the room intrigued, entertained, and knowing even less about Sherman’s march to the sea.
It's true that McElwee barely touches on the actual history of Sherman's march, but to say that the film lacked an intellectual feel surprises me. To me the wit and metaphor with which he crafts his story is exactly the kind of thing that screams intellect. A dry history of the fall of the south would have been much less intriguing and you know it. For me this film reminded me that there is great power in analogy and subtlety of meaning. You don't need to tell the audience directly if you can suggest what you mean instead. When you do that, the true intellectuals get the message and those who don't get it don't matter. It may seem kind of harsh, but if you want to affect change through your message, you need only connect with the capable people anyways. McElwee commends and then criticizes the south in a way which seems simplistic and trite on the surface but reveals its genius through repeated viewings.
Growing up in the south (Georgia) and taking Georgia History, I have to say this was not at all what I expected from the film. It gave me more of a reality television show feel then an intellectual feel. There were times through out the film when McElwee would say one random fact about Sherman’s march then go back to something else, leaving the audience wondering why even talk about Sherman’s march. The film was clearly about his journey through the south trying to court various southern women. Each failed attempt brought drama to the screen as the next woman brought new entertainment. I left the room intrigued, entertained, and knowing even less about Sherman’s march to the sea.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that McElwee barely touches on the actual history of Sherman's march, but to say that the film lacked an intellectual feel surprises me. To me the wit and metaphor with which he crafts his story is exactly the kind of thing that screams intellect. A dry history of the fall of the south would have been much less intriguing and you know it. For me this film reminded me that there is great power in analogy and subtlety of meaning. You don't need to tell the audience directly if you can suggest what you mean instead. When you do that, the true intellectuals get the message and those who don't get it don't matter. It may seem kind of harsh, but if you want to affect change through your message, you need only connect with the capable people anyways. McElwee commends and then criticizes the south in a way which seems simplistic and trite on the surface but reveals its genius through repeated viewings.
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