By: jingmei

jingmei — Mon, 23 May 2016 05:56:53 +0000

It can't be chosen in what ways to be grieving, like me now, very sad, so looking forward to this film, as always.

By: EB

EB — Mon, 23 May 2016 05:56:53 +0000

To me, a portrait of grief through a character, whether it be in film, a novel, or, of course, a backstory, is much more resonating when the griever does not give up hope that he/she will overcome that grief. It becomes difficult for an audience to empathize with anyone, let alone a character on screen, when a protagonist chooses to remain in limbo, showing no real effort to amend, alter, or improve such a plight, whatever it may be. It's easy to throw sadness in a movie through a tragic character: kill someone they love, put them in a helpless situation, and watch them cry. Anyone can do that. Any filmmaker can do that. It takes a true artist to define what makes that character human, not just a pitiful, lost soul. Audiences feel much more for characters who aren't necessarily oblivious to their varying predicaments, but for those who are aware yet seek survival through any moment of positivity they can find. Through that, it allows the audience to give their sympathy on *their terms*, rather than the filmmaker's who is manipulating it from them. Like I said, people feel much more for those who don't ask for anything, especially a grieving character, then everything just falls into place and you have a wonderful audience/character friendship of sorts.

Comments on: Review: Chilly And Joyless ‘War Story’ Starring Catherine Keener And Ben Kingsley

By: jingmei

By: EB