Why Do They Run? − 23 March, 2008
After a good film, I like to bask in the ambience it leaves behind. The characters and story are still with me. I am overcome by the mood. But what do I see all around me? People getting up the minute the credits roll, grabing their coats, climbing over me, and leaving.
I always wonder, "Where were your mind and heart during this movie? Were you engaged at all? How can you leave so quickly?" I have never understood it. The only movies I leave right away are ones with which I feel little or no connection. People seem almost spring-loaded to leap up the moment the movie concludes.
Perhaps I stay because I love film, and because I choose carefully. I allow movies to swallow me whole. I belong to them until they are finished with me.
online now
Comments:
bmccosar (March 23, 2008. 02:14pm)
I hate to push this out of the philosophical realm, but for me, the simple reason is: I have to go to the can. Badly. (And get out of those seats -- they are not comfortable.) When you're watching a movie, and really into it, some of your perception of personal discomfort diminishes. Once it releases its hold, however, all of those minor alarms return to their normal levels.
peahayes (March 23, 2008. 05:41pm)
Worse, however, is when you're really into the movie and your bladder is exploding and you're aware for an hour that you will probably have to miss part of the movie! Then I, at least, multi-task between watching the movie and strategizing about when to head for the can.
pepero (March 23, 2008. 06:08pm)
i know exactly what you mean. when i saw <a href="http://www.panslabyrinth.com">*pan's labyrinth*</a> with a friend, my friend and i were both deeply moved by the film. we sat in our seats to enjoy the last few moments of what we had experienced. many people were in a hurry to leave and go home. perhaps in our society we become conditioned to be defined by schedules and to-do lists that sometimes we forget to just slow down to experience a special moment.
edunn (March 26, 2008. 08:24pm)
It is the same with eating a good meal, or watching a film, or most things for that matter. We rush through it all. We should all pause once in a while. Of course, after we visit the nearest restroom.