Boo Radley75
Outstanding Member
On to the 80s and a triple bill tonight...
Driving Miss Daisy - (1989) - Some will say this hasn't dated well. Yes, it can be uncomfortable viewing but it did reflect the time and place it was set it. My problem with it is that it makes the primary plot about racism and overcoming that but is too light and half hearted about it. It presents this cozy world where blacks are happily subservient to whites, scraping and bowing with a laugh, smile and a "yessum". It glosses over a lot of other stuff too - Morgan Freeman's character's family didn't even get a mention until his granddaughter had about 2 seconds near the end. They really didn't develop the characters enough. Miss Daisy is a cantankerous old racist who turns into a slightly less cantankerous and racist even older biddy before only finally not being at all racist but only when she's lost her marbles and doesn't even know what day of the week it is. The acting was pretty ok but nothing standout. A gentle and easy to watch film. (My vote would have gone for "Born on the Fourth of July") 3/5
Rain Man - (1988) - This is a very personal film to me as, like Raymond, I have high functioning autism. It is good that this film probably brought autism awareness into general public knowledge. Bit of a double edged sword though as, up until recently, I lose count of the amount of people shocked that I'm hardly like Raymond at all, when they find out I'm autistic. There is no way that Raymond could be described as "high functioning" with his autism. High functioning autistics can at least lead a fairly independent life, unlike him. Probably, because of my autism, I find Raymond really stressful, as I do a lot of other autistic people too. His monotone non stop and repetitive talking gives me a headache and this is the hardest film I've watched in this challenge so far, even harder than trying to stay awake in "The English Patient". That said, it's really good acting and its interesting to notice that Tom Cruise subtly talks a bit like his on screen brother. 4/5
The Last Emperor - (1987) - A very interesting and atmospheric portrayal of the life of PuYi. Can be a bit slow moving at times though. Personally "Hope and Glory" would easily have got my vote for best film, out of the nominees, that year, an overlooked gem! 4/5
Driving Miss Daisy - (1989) - Some will say this hasn't dated well. Yes, it can be uncomfortable viewing but it did reflect the time and place it was set it. My problem with it is that it makes the primary plot about racism and overcoming that but is too light and half hearted about it. It presents this cozy world where blacks are happily subservient to whites, scraping and bowing with a laugh, smile and a "yessum". It glosses over a lot of other stuff too - Morgan Freeman's character's family didn't even get a mention until his granddaughter had about 2 seconds near the end. They really didn't develop the characters enough. Miss Daisy is a cantankerous old racist who turns into a slightly less cantankerous and racist even older biddy before only finally not being at all racist but only when she's lost her marbles and doesn't even know what day of the week it is. The acting was pretty ok but nothing standout. A gentle and easy to watch film. (My vote would have gone for "Born on the Fourth of July") 3/5
Rain Man - (1988) - This is a very personal film to me as, like Raymond, I have high functioning autism. It is good that this film probably brought autism awareness into general public knowledge. Bit of a double edged sword though as, up until recently, I lose count of the amount of people shocked that I'm hardly like Raymond at all, when they find out I'm autistic. There is no way that Raymond could be described as "high functioning" with his autism. High functioning autistics can at least lead a fairly independent life, unlike him. Probably, because of my autism, I find Raymond really stressful, as I do a lot of other autistic people too. His monotone non stop and repetitive talking gives me a headache and this is the hardest film I've watched in this challenge so far, even harder than trying to stay awake in "The English Patient". That said, it's really good acting and its interesting to notice that Tom Cruise subtly talks a bit like his on screen brother. 4/5
The Last Emperor - (1987) - A very interesting and atmospheric portrayal of the life of PuYi. Can be a bit slow moving at times though. Personally "Hope and Glory" would easily have got my vote for best film, out of the nominees, that year, an overlooked gem! 4/5
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