Kane Abuse
May 6th 2008 05:06
A while back a good friend and I had a spirited debate (read: argument) about the artistic merit of 'The Matrix'. I claimed there was none. It started when this friend asked me exactly how much I thought the Trilogy 'rocked'. My reply that not only did I think its rockitude was too insignificant to measure but that I did not even enjoy watching it, was met with incredulous indignation. To try and sway me to change my mind about The Matrices, he invoked the stated opinion of another of his friends (who I didn't know) by saying "It's Such n' Such's favorite movie, and his OTHER favorite movie is 'Citizen Kane' ". Parenthetically he added that this person was a film fan too.
Put your snark-filter on, this is gonna get messy...
I'd hate to cast aspersions on another person's opinions... but I will. Here is what Such n' Such was really saying: 'My favorite movie is "The Matrix". I am not completely comfortable with broadcasting this. Therefore I will legitimize this opinion but putting it next to another film, the respect for which is beyond doubt. This will then pull up the curve on my Matrix selection and allow me to openly identify this as my real preference.'
This dear reader is Kane Abuse. The misguided personal benchmarking or evoking of 'Citizen Kane' for respect, or cinephilic gain.
There are legitimate reasons to dislike 'Kane'. I can't think of any, I love it just like you probably do. It is a benchmark film. But it's become the 'War and Peace' of film. Considered a high (or the highest) expression of an art form, it becomes the mantle instead of sitting on it. This is not the films fault, its ours.
The abuse works the other way as well, as in the "Everybody Loves It So I Don't" variety. For example, consider 'alfindeol' at that paragon of film criticism Rotten Tomatoes:
'You're not gonna catch me swimmin' downstream hippies!' Bear. Chomp. Circle of Life.
Kane is great.Kane is not great. Just don't use Kane on your MENSA application or to create some phony irony because you also like 'Revenge of the Nerds'. I mean really, Revenge can stand on its own, if it was no good, why would they have made 3 sequels?
Put your snark-filter on, this is gonna get messy...
"Whoa! Rosebud is a f*ckin' sled? Awesome."
I'd hate to cast aspersions on another person's opinions... but I will. Here is what Such n' Such was really saying: 'My favorite movie is "The Matrix". I am not completely comfortable with broadcasting this. Therefore I will legitimize this opinion but putting it next to another film, the respect for which is beyond doubt. This will then pull up the curve on my Matrix selection and allow me to openly identify this as my real preference.'
This dear reader is Kane Abuse. The misguided personal benchmarking or evoking of 'Citizen Kane' for respect, or cinephilic gain.
There are legitimate reasons to dislike 'Kane'. I can't think of any, I love it just like you probably do. It is a benchmark film. But it's become the 'War and Peace' of film. Considered a high (or the highest) expression of an art form, it becomes the mantle instead of sitting on it. This is not the films fault, its ours.
...if you're in to that kind of thing.
The abuse works the other way as well, as in the "Everybody Loves It So I Don't" variety. For example, consider 'alfindeol' at that paragon of film criticism Rotten Tomatoes:
Is Citizen Kane the greatest movie ever made? My simple opinion is no. The film gets a lot of respect and love from just about everywhere. The majority of it is deserved, but it won't get as much from me. I didn't connect with the movie in the way that so many do. Those who frequent my journal see this complaint paired with this rating a lot. I have nothing negative to say about the film itself. The filmmaking is pleasing and the performances are fantastic. Citizen Kane is a movie that you should see. In the grand scheme of things, the film is extremely important. Seeing it, and knowing how you feel about it, is essential in framing your perspective on films from any era.
'You're not gonna catch me swimmin' downstream hippies!' Bear. Chomp. Circle of Life.
Kane is great.Kane is not great. Just don't use Kane on your MENSA application or to create some phony irony because you also like 'Revenge of the Nerds'. I mean really, Revenge can stand on its own, if it was no good, why would they have made 3 sequels?
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