In his book Life the Movie, Neal Gabler argues that reality no longer exists in America, that instead we all live a movie.
Without going too deep into the scholarship, Gabler argues that this happened because of an all-consuming and willing disbelief of reality (reality, that is, by any historic, longstanding, rational definition), and a simultaneous absolute belief in the reality of the media which permeates our waking moments.
With this blurred line between reality and cinema in mind (as well as Arnheim's theories of cinema's artistic potential), discuss American Movie and its attempts to define reality in America.
I had to take a minute to really think about this film. We all know people like these. We think it is funny but there is a blurred line this film wa filmed over a two year period of time. We don't know what happened during the entire time. You have a stoner and I don't know too many people that are that brain dead. You see the drinking and crazy parts of their lives. Uncle Bill gives you the wrong impression of elderly people all together and a bank that just turns over $3000 to an adventure like that doesn't happen not today.
ReplyDeleteOf cource I don't believe everything I read and half of what I see. I don't believe that the media gives you the full story and it always is biased.
I feel that way about films you see what the director - producers and editors want you to see. Like in the American Movie me as a viewer felt disconnected at parts you can tell he didn't have the best relationship with his brothers and father but why? One could say from the dialouge that it was over the film but I felt there were hidden problems not dealt with. The problem with the children's mother was mentioned but never discussed and it must not have been that bad he had the children a lot thru the movie.
No matter what I watch unless it is total fiction but that is still someone else's view. I remember there is your side - my side and if any one else is involved there point of view and then there is the truth.
The reality this movie showed is not the reality I believe is out there. Mark had a goal that we don't know if it has ever been achieved. He didn't show the best decision making. He had a good heart that was shown by his kindness to Uncle Bill and his friends. So much is left out.
When we start drawing our conclusions about reality from movies we are not getting a full picture. If we are living a movie not reality I want a retake.
The reality in the film was based on the production of the film that was being made. This film showed the reality of the struggle that took place and the hardships encountered on the way. Tracey touched on some very good points, saying that a lot of parts were left out. There were things left out, but it leaves us to decide what happens. The reality breaks down and its hard to believe some of the things in this film. I, like Tracey, have never met anyone so stoned out on drugs they can't function. The film shows a lot of this, as a struggle towards film making and people in general.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe everything in the film. I believe a lot of it was staged. However, in class their was a discussion on the language used in front of the children. That happens in reality, people just frown upon it.
Overall, the movie did a really good job by turning real life events into entertainment, even if they took advantage of the guys.
I think Gabler definitely has a point, and the concern his book brings about makes me cringe…because it just might be true. Yikes! I don’t know if it would be possible to not be true… We’re constantly infiltrated with media and its perception of “reality”; it has inevitably warped our perception in turn. Even though we can still determine what separates a movie and our lives, we frequently compare our experiences to experiences we have viewed in extremely unrealistic motion pictures. How many times have you heard the phrase, “It was like I was in a movie or something”?
ReplyDeleteNow, about the documentary. At times, I couldn’t believe these people were “real.” I couldn’t stop laughing at points, it was so unbelievable. But I absolutely loved the relationships, especially between Mike and Mark and between Mark and Uncle Bill. Uncle Bill was such a relateable character to me; he reminded me of my great uncles and second cousins, etc. That’s what made him “real.”
But I do feel as though Mark, being so interested in film, knew exactly how his actions would play out on the big screen. Yet in my opinion, he still held on to his identity even if it was a bit blown up when the cameras came out. Then again, if Mark was 100% raw and real, the “reality” of the film could still be morphed and mangled into something completely unreal. It’s all in the hands of the editor. You can make anything appear as you want it to appear.
I was trying to imagine what it would be like if the film was documented nowadays. Media hasn’t slowed down, that’s for sure. I think any subject that knew he/she was to be documented and made into a movie would be a hundred times faker. Total performance and no reality. What do you guys think?
I agree with what Mckenzie writes. I’ve heard that line “it was like I was in a movie” from my friends so many times it’s ridiculous. Our lives are based around media. Whether it is television, internet, or simply the newspaper, these media have a powerful influence in our lives. Although I don’t think I’d go as far as agreeing with Gabler’s argument that reality no longer exists in America. I believe this is true for television and films where everything is magnified and glorified, but not in our real lives. I can understand how it is very easy to compare your life to a movie or T.V. show, but those who truly can’t decipher their own lives and reality from that movie or show have personal issues that usually get addressed, due to the fact that those who can’t decipher almost always get themselves into trouble. Just as tracy acknowledged, there is always more than one side to the story and from those sides there’s always the truth to them. American Movie is a movie about just one person’s view of Americans, therefore showing a one-sided, biased view. You can’t show a movie of just a few peoples’ lives that live in America and say it’s the “American Movie”. But I do agree with what Phitubss wrote about how the film does show the reality of the hardships of writing, directing, and constructing a movie. It showed the struggle that Mark went through to get to the “American Dream”, therefore relating this movie to be THE American movie. Although the characters did seem a little cartoonish and not relatable to me, the relationships between them seemed real. I do see eye to eye on how the director does leave out months of footage, leaving us to think what happened during that time? It definitely does mess with our perception of the reality of how much really did happen and go into making the film Mark and his friends completed. I, just as Phitubbs, thought this movie was amusing in its effort to make real life situations comical and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what christie and mckenzie said. I even catch myself rehashing to my friends and family events in my life and then saying "it was like a movie, or should have been a seen in one." Our lives thrive off of media. Partially I believe its pure escapism. We escape through movies, tv, the news, etc. The want for escape from reality has been everyones goal in some aspect. I do agree to some extent with Gabler's argument that reality does not exsist in America. Look at the media that is out there now, there are even reality tv shows that supposedly depict "reality". The fact that we have shows that are called reality tv is proof that views on reality are skewed. Granted not everyone believes in these shows, the fact is that people still watch them. Gabler is essentially right about losing touch of reality, but not all americans fall into denile.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Movie tries to define reality in America through Mark's pursuit of the American dream, which for him is making movies. In Mark’s case, this involved some heavy boozing and a rough childhood, but hardships are common among everyone. I agree with Tracy that the gaps in filming discredit how accurately it portrays reality, but in a very general sense the film does give some accuracy. In the sense that as Americans, we want the bigger and better, the American dream, whatever that may be for each person. Should we choose to pursue this we have to be prepared for challenges and the film showed us how Mark faced his. However, the film was made to entertain as much as it tells a story, and we are seeing only what the director wants us to see. Gabler ‘s belief that reality no longer exists in America is very extreme. I think in some instances this is completely true, like McKenzie touched on about reality television or how we compare crazy moments in our lives to that out of a movie. But I don’t think that reality no longer exists, I think despite the exploitation of reality that’s done in this film and all films, there still exists a real story underneath. For example the relationships in the film, especially between Mark and his Uncle as well as his best friend were very real to me. I kind of adore them.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of this documentary is fascinating, a movie about making a movie. That is why the idea of "living in a movie" is so important when thinking about this film. The main "charecter" of Mark Borchardt is makeing a a movie of his own while staring in someone elses, I am thinking of it was an analogy to the thesis of "Life The Movie", albiet a simple one.
ReplyDeleteIn American Movie Mark shows that while he is making a movie, he is still viewing his day to da life as a movie. He expresses this by comparing his life to films.
Reality= Perception. Even down to the ideas and thoughts that were the reactions of the individuals watching the film, their own cognitive framework of the world plays into how it is processed and what message is received. I do think Gobler has a point, however, I would explain it as a conditioned state. From the time we are kids we are slowly conditioned to imagine the possibilities of the world without regard to their realistic potential. Take the idea of love for example, most people imagine love in a sort of fairy-tale manner, happily ever after yada yada yada until whatever happens that "brings them down to reality" and they realize that love takes work and comprimise there is no perfection. I believe that the extent to which film fails to represent reality is the escape and sometimes destination of the mind of the beholder. In the case of American Movie, I was left feeling depressed, not because of the relative success or failure of Mark, but because endless amounts of information are available for free to the public and yet the United States seems to mass produce ignorant people.
ReplyDeleteI would also add, all people live in situations where actions are determined by the imaginary presence of others. In the West I do think the imaginary presence of others exists in a movie like fashion as our "supposed to" reactions to a litany of situations come from, if not our parents, media.
ReplyDelete"Reality=Perception" is perhaps the best way it could be said. The director warps 'reality' in this film to project a message to the audience. We know nothing about Mark, except what we are shown by the director. Perhaps his 'reality' for the film is that although many people across this nation still seek the American Dream, that is is not so easily achievable, and one must do more than dream. Gabler's argument is flawed because we still have privacy and our own thoughts. In a movie the audience sees everything a character does, in reality someone can be one person to a their parents and another to their friends, but on screen they are one character. A character may do this same thing on screen, but we as the viewer know that they are deceiving, because we can view all aspects of their lives. in reality there is no such clarity. We only have what is presented first hand to our own senses, we obviously cannot view what cannot be seen in front of us, film changes that.
ReplyDeleteI think that American Movie portrays reality in multiple ways. blakewood's quote of "Reality=Perception"is the perfect summary of this documentary. On the one hand, within the film, we have Mark, the aspiring filmmaker. Mark's reality IS film making. He eats, sleeps, and breathes film, and he wholeheartedly believes that the films he makes will lead him to the highly esteemed, much sought after "American dream". His films are incredible, his films are his life. Now, I have never seen any of Mark's films, but the viewer of American Movie is given, through the eyes of the director, a fairly different reality. We see Mark (or at least I did) as a struggling dreamer, hell-bent on perusing and pushing his so-so craft as far as he can, no matter what the cost. We watch as Mark plunges headlong into project after project as his life seemingly crumbles around him. These are two very different realities, but realities nonetheless, that can be found in this film
ReplyDeleteAs far as my reaction to this film, well, I have mixed emotions. The more I think about the movie, the more I think I enjoy it, despite the fact that I find it extremely sad and uplifting at the same time. I felt terrible watching Mark go from day to day, failing at every turn. I was astounded that someone actually functioned and lived that way. I would even go as far as to say that this movie showed me exactly what I NEVER want to be like. I never want to pursue something so passionately and be so unsuccessful (at least within the course of the film). On the flip side, I truly admire Mark for giving his all for the thing in life he cares about most. Even his small premier of "Coven" was the biggest success for Mark. I admire that drive, that tunnel vision, in the pursuit of your life's dream. That's just my two cents... for what its worth.
ReplyDeleteI found this film to be one of those rare things that is all at once funny, heartbreaking, thought-provoking...and just a little bit scary. Watching Mark struggle with his dreams and his failures is a powerful thing, made all the more so by the fact that it is a documentary. While there is certainly a kind of fiction present in the fact that a filmmaker has edited all these scenes together to suite his needs, we can still never really escape the fact that what is going on with Mark is, at least in some sense, reality.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was great at giving the viewers an example of someone striving to live the "American dream". Mark wanted to make his films even though he was in debt. He wanted that big break to happen that would solve all problems. It's kind of like the lottery in a way. People want the easy way out sometimes. I think that Gabler says about Americans is very true. The documentary seemed a little too "movie-like" to me, but the relationships between the people in the movie were incredibly entertaining and didn't seem like an act.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, this is one of the greatest documentaries I've ever had the pleasure of watching. The characters are absolutely phenomenal, and that is definitely one of the primary strengths of this film. This film does a lot of things well, and one of the most probable over looked aspects is surrounding and scenery, I really felt I knew what it was like to live in Milwaukee, and to live in the household of Mark.
ReplyDeleteTo elaborate more on the characters being a strong point, there is just something about Mark and Mike that just exudes livability, and it could be their personalities, but also their relationship with each other, and others involved in their life, such as Uncle Bill. Uncle Bill is an incredibly easy to love character, and the relationship between him and Mark is absolutely incredible, and really adds another dimension to the film entirely.
ReplyDeleteYou asked a question of morality after our viewing of the documentary, one that I was so engrossed in the film, I never even thought about, and upon meditation on said question of morality, I am somewhat torn in what side of the fence I lie. One aspect, I think Mark is very intelligent, and knew exactly, or close to, how the film would come out, and the movie ended up being incredible for his PA, and probably the most publicity he will ever have, and actually got his name out there. On the other hand, you ask yourself the director's intent, and that is where I think the issue lies. What was Chris Smith's intentions? And we can speculate all we want, but it is taxing mentally to think of what he was trying to do, his agenda, but overall I think I am not as much angered due to the overall positive experience and result that came out of this for Mark. And Mark is more than a filmmaker, he symbolizes the American Dream... freedom. We are free to do what we love, and as he showed, its not about the money, its about the passion, and that, as shown by American Movie, is what life is all about.
Like Kenneth, I'm not sure about the morality of the film because we don't know Smith's motives behind its creation. Because we know that Mark is knowledgeable and aware of filming techniques and its distortion of reality, I lean more towards the moral aspect. I felt that Mark was very self aware and realized that his personality combined with that of his family make for good entertainment, and in turn benefit him by gaining publicity. He didn’t have much to lose because whether people were critical of his lifestyle or not, he still gained publicity and got his name out there.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like marks's whole view of reality was based on the American dream, that if he just tries hard he can become as famous and as rich as Stephen Speilberg. This whole movie is about his attempt to come to the realization that the world doesn't work that way. He sees his life from behind a camera lense, making everything alot less serious, which is not a healthy way to live as one can see from his bills, drinking problem and unfinished movies. Overall, this documentary seemed to be about the question of what is the American dream,abd does anyone still believe in it.
ReplyDeleteI beleive that this movie has a very powerful message. That message is that one's goals require effort and determination. In the beginning of the movie it seemed all Mark had was ideas, helpful friends, and a substances problem. In my opinion the substance obuse was his way to escape his reality of the work that neccesary to make progress with his film.
ReplyDeleteAnother inturpetation of Mark's film relating to the "American dream" that he did succed. Because the american dream is doing what you love and making money from your passion. So in a way Mark was a success story.
To my understanding Mark had a half thought definition of reality in America. I found it quit hard to understand what his idea of reality was due to his slurred speech and his intoxication, which seemed to be throughout the intire movie. But what I understood it to be was that he was gona do what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it. One could probably attribute his failure to progess his film in the beginning of the movie.
ReplyDeleteAlso it seemed to me that he used the making of his film to escape from the bills and debt which were his reality. In other words he used his own media to escape from the harshness of his reality
Although documentaries are usually designed to portray reality and truths, the gaps in this documentary require the audience to imagine what might have occured. The director wanted his audience to perceive this movie in a certain way through the splicing of his chosen material, and if an audience is not educated about the bias placed in films, all the audience will learn is what the director wants to show. Everyday, a story in the news is reported, and viewers mostly take the story at complete truth. If we become blind to what might actually be taking place, how can we distinguish between reality and the distorted media?
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the American dream is represented in 'American Movie', yet this representation is not an accurate one. This failure to represent reality creates the potential that film is art. Mark is portrayed as a dedicated worker with immense passion for making his films. Even though financial problems should hinder his goals, he still strives to follow his dreams. Because of the voids in this film, we cannot be sure of his devotion to film-making. Perhaps, Mark partied during the month-long blank spaces and did no work toward his film. If this was true, one could see why he would be working so dilligently to finish his film on time. Also, it seems that Mark and his children have a good relationship, yet because of the gaps, times of argument between him and his children could have arisen. These undiscussed areas in film as well as the media are the reason that reality and the way we view it are distorted.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the others view points on this film. I still think we know nothing about their actual reality. We could be safe to say that Mark and Mike both have a substance abuse problem. Mark loved his Uncle Bill. His mother was very supportive of his work and dreans while on the other hand his father wasn't.
ReplyDeleteThe film shows some reality but I do have to wonder how much of the acting and on screen time from Mark was inflated. You can tell he believed in his dreams and he had support from his friends.
I think the movie was his excuse to step out of reality for awhile and belong to the exclusive group of filmmakers. He doesn't have to worry about getting a job or paying bills because he is making a move. His babies momma doesn't make any apperance but one and she doesn't show herself full front frame. There was a piece of reality 3 children no job. I'm sure his ex-wife is tired of his living out his pipe dream. Reality and persepective go hand in hand when watching or using any type of media. Like the fairy tale love that was mentioned earlier. We have all been around enough people "in love" to no that fairy tale romances do not exist. We are given beliefs and ideas from family and friends but that doesn't make them true either.
I think to say that our lives are a movie is interesting and fun to think about, but I find it to be very disagreeable as well. Characters are two dimensional, we know them from what we see and never have any interactions from them, where life is the opposite with constant interaction from others.
ReplyDeleteThe whole perception of chasing the American Dream reflects Mark's life. Mark wont let his future be planned for him by the society around. His parents have always told him to work at the factory or get a real job. Mark has a dream of becoming a large-scale movie director and pursues it. From the beginning Mark has a list of obstacles in his way. However, Mark was never able to produce North Western but eventually completed Coven. Through his journey with both films he looks towards friends and some family to help his dream come true. Uncle Bill represents one of many of these supporters; even if he doesnt know every detail on where his money is going. I see Mark and Bills relationship as an inspiring story. Mark has a filthy mouth and a down to earth image but has a great heart. He worked in multiple places, helped out with Bills well keeping, and still shot for his dream of completing a masterful film. The intelligence of Mark in his film making is someting sureal. Mark had no training an light schooling but his ideas and knowledge towards film was true self education. Furthermore, we are revealed to some humor with Mark and friends and also hear different words from some upset family. In the end, Mark puts all his setbacks aside and strives to complete his dream.
ReplyDeleteIn refrerence to Tracy's comments, I believe we all know that Mark and Mike had substance problems. However, this setback never stopped them from completing their task. The reason for North Western not being completed was not cause of alcohol but because of lack of money. Some of the greatest writers and film makers in the world had substance problems, such as Hunter S. Thompson one of the greatest writers for The Rolling Stones. I see Mark's mission as a truly ingenious endeavor and his work to be very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAt first I found this movie to be boring but as I think more about it now, it was a pretty funny documentary. I feel as though you didnt get the full story of Mark's journey but I do not believe it was wrong to produce this film. Mark even said himself that he knew what they were doing. I feel like this film does show a form of reality in America. Mark is a rare type of person for going after his dream with such drive even in the face of failure.
ReplyDeleteGabler's argument that reality no longer exists in America, but we all believe our life is a movie is an interesting one. In American Movie, Mark lets his problems and struggles be filmed even though they could be embarassing to him later. This sacrifice seems to be made just so his life would literally be a movie. Without such desire to gain exposure through film, I dont not believe Mark would give out the information shown in this film to public. The desire for fame seems to make people expose themselves in undesireable ways.
ReplyDeleteTracy and Sarah, im going to have to go against the grain a bit here with what im going to say. But I think the gap in filming made the movie more accurate in its representation of Mark. If it took place only over the span of a few months then we wouldnt see the entire pictur of Mark,we might only see him while he was on a bender or in a very productive mood. Also if it was a smaller span of time we wouldnt be able to see the makeing of "Coven". The fact is that Mark took years and years to make "Coven", so a documentry about the making ofit must span that time as well.
ReplyDeleteI love what Kenneth stated. Instead of taking out of the film that Mark is a failure, he saw the freedom that Mark enjoys. I think that if the film maker intended to exploit Mark, he could have easily taken out all of the crucial tender moments and just made Mark seem like a dumbass. Putting only the clips of him failing, of him trying to pry money from Uncle Bill, of him losing some connection with his kids. The heartwarming moments that were so vital in understanding Mark had to be included. And the filmmaker recognized this.
ReplyDeleteThis leads me to believe that Chris Smith wasn't unfair when making this movie. It seemed pretty well-rounded and representative of life. Plenty of ups and downs, plenty of happiness and sadness all in one. And that's the way life truly is.
Going off of what Molly said, I completely agree on the fact that Mark is a rare type of person. He is eccentric, goofy, sensitive, gets irritated easily and the list could go on. He is what makes this movie; he’s the entertainment and talent. I would find this documentary to be unbearable to watch if the main character weren’t interesting or intriguing somewhat. What I like most about this movie was that it showed the ups and downs, breaking down the boundaries of these characters and getting into real life drama. Although this movie does skirt around the real life drama, giving us only what the director thought we should know about the situation such as the situation with Marks kids. It still gives us the successes and failures, being true to life when it showed all the failures Mark struggled with. This for me kept the movie more real because let’s face it, who has more success stories than failures? Almost no one has more success than failure because failure is a part of life and it’s these failures that make success so awe-inspiring.
ReplyDeleteFilm does try to appeal to realism as much as possible. I agree with Kenneth and McKensie in that he placed himself in his movies. His emotions, triumphs, and the obstacles he faced were definatly motivating factors for Mark. Chris Smith made the film more realistic by adding a more personal side of Mark along with his struggles with the movie "Coven." This film did depict life very well in everyday decision making.
ReplyDeleteI agree with McKenzie, the director had no intention of being unfair to Mark. The film also would not have been the same if it was shot over just a few months and it would have lost the hole message of the film. The message that I took away from the film was to always go after your dreams and not to give up. If Chris Smith had not filmed all those years then Mark's small success of completing "coven" would not have been documented. Because of the gaps in the documentary many things are not explained such as, Marks women troubles and his fight with addiction. These gaps and only little information on the matters shows that this is more than a reality tv show but a documentary about following dreams not failure.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very fine line between reality and the cinema. This movie did a very good job in distinguishing the two. The key difference is that the cinema trys to become reality. This documentary 'American Movie' actually shows what an american man, Mark, and a few of his close friends and family trying to make a film. The reality is that Mark was not financially stable to creat these films but he still went after his american dream.
ReplyDeleteReality in American Movie is purely defined by perception. This is seen with the documentary itself. How it depicts each character from the main protagonist, Mark to other supporting characters like my favorite Mike. We as the audience had to assume many things about each character and situation in the movie thus making us relate some of our own life hardships to Mark's and becoming enthralled in his story. Mark like many who dream in America is the underdog and everyone's more prone to relate to the underdog than the person who triumphs with no struggle.
ReplyDeleteThis Film is semi- realistic. The things that happened in this film are possible, but I stand strong on what I posted before, a lot of it's hard to believe. My perception of this film is that it was well put together, and my new favorite documentary. It's really hard to believe all of it however.
ReplyDeleteIn American Movie it comes across really good in describing and taking a look into the normal lives of the main characters. It shows the basic thing that everyone has and that is a dream. In reality everyone fights, wants, and works toward a dream and the movie showed just that a man who wanted to just make movies. You could tell just by where he lived how he acted the people he associated himself with and the town where he lived it was just your average american working towards something greater then himself. Also by the actions that were chosen and the struggled he faced with losing his kids and his ex-wife and the scene where he is reading his bills off made you feel the character was relatable and faced the same things as everyone else. The movie I thought did a good job on showing reality and came across in way you could feel what he is feeling.
ReplyDeleteMark went after his american dream regaurdless of financial difficulties. He had little kids to support and other countless debts but he still strove to complete his films. He was a starving artists basically and lived on the edge to complete his art. American movie essentially shows one man meeting his goal and finding his dream through all odds, and the audience really related to his underdog triumph. He was a normal guy realating to nomrmal people to achieve an extrodinary feat. So as a whole Chris Smith was not wrong in making this movie. This movie showed the trials and tribulations of a persons persuit of happieness, which if life.
ReplyDeleteI also think that there would be no story if the documentary showed every situation successful. There is no success without failure, which is something I pulled from the film. It was pure luck that a lower middle class guy, would actually execute his dream of making a movie. Mind you he's financially unstable, and his past time goes to writing, drinking and getting high. But that is his reality, or at least what we get to assume from the documentary. As far as Gabler's theory is concerned, of course we see our lives and experiences as something out of a movie, if only to make ourselves feel more important or make our lives feel more significant than they are. Who wants to think they are as boring as they actually are? But then again where do ideas for scenes in movies come;if not real life experiences. Or the perception of an actual experience?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the film "American Movie". To me it best describes a person who is determined to get what he believes in. Mark was determined to get this film off the ground. Today, you have people who are in the same situation who cannot accept the fact that their dream may not come true and a "plan b, c, d," should also be in the plan. It was a funny movie and the characters were hillarious; especially the old man who seemed not to have a clue most of the time but had a clue some of the time. I enjoyed the film and the "making of the film". People may have thought it was far off when it comes to reality but in reality, it was not as far off as it may have appeared to be because there are poeple like that today who believe in themselves no matter what others may think.
ReplyDeleteThe movie's message has been debated some, but I believe McKenzie has said it best. Mark was not portrayed as a complete failure. The film showed a man going through a series of very difficult struggles, but still finding time to pursue his dreams. Mark's determination could be seen as inspiring at some points because of his drive to get to finish his movie. His bills, ex-wife problems, and struggle with a low end job add to his story by showing the hurdles he has to go through to complete everything. Mark's company of Mike and Uncle Bill add some comic relief to the situation, and showw the soft heart of Mark. The portrayal of Mark is far from perfect, but i believe that is the way Chris Smith intended.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think about how we are all supposedly playing our own characters in our own movie, and then apply that thought to a movie about someone's life. It kind of blurs the lines a little bit and gives you twice as much to think about. I agree with what Blakewood had to say about characters in movies being two dimensional, while the people in reality have an entire life of experiences to shape and form the depth of their existence.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to tell whether or not people are only living out their personal movies, or whether or not movies are shallow representations of the lives that people live... if that makes any sense.
I can relate to the character in this movie. Like myself, Mark has been through some trials and tribulations, but still is still trying to accomplish his dreams. Mark goes through some of the same hurdles many of us face when chasing our dreams. I definitely feel as if we are just pawns in this game of life. But with determination and hope, we can accomplish our goals.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little eerie to think that people are mirroring these shallow representations that Adam was talking about and making it their own reality. This would mean that they never really truley experience something of their own, instead they're obbsessed with "acting" out what their "character" would say or do. They are creating false expectations of their lives instead of just living, which is sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Mark did accomplish something? We would never know because there were only clips shown over two years crammed into one movie. This is not a good representation of reality through a documentary,but then again no one would want to watch two years of someones life, so you can see why its necessary, to an extent. But there are also questions that can never be answered which are vital to understanding the full spectrum of someones life.
ReplyDeleteAmerica has created a distorted reality through shows like "The Real World" or any type of reality television. People watch these shows and thinks it's how we should be. This film, American Movie, does the same thing in a way but definitely not to the extent of the current shows on TV. It's reality without the apparent use of distortion. I don't believe it was scripted in any way, but it seemed as though Mark was acting the way he wanted to be portrayed instead of really being himself. He was more himself when he was with Uncle Bill. However, the rawness of the film was relate able and it was a more realistic view of America.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of this movie can be heavily debated. Were they just acting trying to make relatable people or was it there true life. Thats one-thing thing we cant know for sure but the film was pretty realistic and easily relatable. However they could of out smarted america and made characters that they knew would be a hit.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Movie attempted to define reality with its portrayal of Mark Borchardt as he really is and was: a poor man with a wasted youth, who lives with his mother and has larger than life dreams, all while raising three children with an ex. It's actually a pretty familiar story to most who watch it. Sure his Wisconsin accent is different, but most of us know someone like Mark. And maybe even someone like Mike.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is really easy to lose sight of the "reality" of the passing of time when watching this film, because the characters and the story are actually very compelling. One may not realize that this movie takes place over the course of about 2 years, which means that during all of this, Mark is still making his incredibly low budget Coven, working at a cemetary, and somehow giving attention to his children. Once the audience makes the realization of the large span of time, our outlook shifts from seeing Mark as an intelligent, ambitious, and all the while unfortunate man, to a failure, as he sees himself. It's a film about the American dream, and as an audience we really want Mark to make his dream come true, so knowing that he didn't make Northwestern in the amount of time it took to film An American Movie and release it, it's incredibly disappointing, which in reality, is something that we are used to as humans. Depressing, but true, and supporting of the argument for this film's definition of reality.
ReplyDeleteHey just wondering how many of you had received a jaw-dropping mid-term grade? If you didn't congratulations and could you share a few hints for us that need to rewrite our papers? I know I could use the help.
ReplyDeleteThis was my favorite movie we have watched so far. I thought the movie was almost unrealistic with the characters. The movie was made to be reality but the characters amost seemed rehearsed just so they would be a hit.
ReplyDeleteAmerican ovie tries to define reality in America through Mark's pursuit of the American dream, for him it's making movie. the aspect of this movie is a movie about making a movie which leads us back to the idea of that we all live a movie, described in the book "Life the Movie".
ReplyDeleteThrough this movie we get to see, which Mark is trying to accomplish his dream of finish his movie northwestern, Mark's day to day life. The struggle to keep his life at a balance between family affairs and the set-backs of his movie due to financial issues. Smith's portrayal of Mark was not to be perfect to basically represent reality that our lives aren't perfect but you should still go for your dreams.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Movie depressed me a bit. First of all, this may be the director's reality, but it definitely isn't mine. I don't know people like this, nor do I desire to. However, the massive gaps in time indicate that we have no idea what fraction of the true story we are seeing. By documenting his trials of making a movie, we see a glimpse of the difficulties in attaining the ever-elusive 'American Dream.' While each person decides their personal American Dream, this one didn't seem to pan out at all. I feel like the idea of life as a movie within a movie has some merit, but is a bit over-simplifying the issue. It reminds me how everyone feels like they are being watched for a little while after seeing 'The Truman Show.' Some people may live their life as a movie, but some do not. Either way, we simply aren't getting enough from this story to really be able to judge it. We can't see what has put Mark in this position or why he thinks making a film will be his salvation. However, it is admirable that he diligently attempts to make his dreams come true.
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