Well, that was out of left field.

What brought this on? Did you see it tonight?

I'd seen it again recently, and decided it was too hammerhanded and pompous. I think I was just accepting its theatricality as a device, not unlike the storytelling device of bringing people together via vehicle incidents.

But the stupidity of everyone lecturing everyone else, and displaying their overt racism too absurdly directed at the people they are trying to get somewhere with was just too much for me on this repeat viewing.

I appreciate what the film is trying to say, and I really do admire many of the acting performances ... but it's a very sophmoric film.

It won best pic and I STILL don't want to see it.

I guess I must be racist because the "Africian/American racial and cultural theme" films just don't interest me much. Maybe I truly am a white aerodyte snob. And, that really isn't something I strive to be.

Here's the funny thing: it's not an "African/American racial and cultural" themed movie. Written/directed by a white man, edited by a white man, produced by white men, about all different kinds of races. And everyone comes out looking horrible in it-- especially the Asians in the film, who have nothing redeeming about them whatsoever. I don't understand why Oprah Winfrey was calling it "her" movie-- a movie about/for the black population. As far as I can gather, it says nothing flattering (or really "real"--ie not exaggerated) about anyone. Every person in that film was depicted as despicable racist. Not that the film was about people, per se. I feel that as far as narrative and construction, it's completely artless (aside from some performances.)

I'm glad that the second viewing affected you so, iSm. Not that I wish unpleasant viewing experiences for you, just that I couldn't--for the life of me-- understand why you liked it so.

On the other hand, BBM is an example of a film that I can completely understand would affect so many people, even though I didn't feel affected in the same way.