Film and Friendship

Come together, right now

Even on the most basic level, the act of watching movies is something that creates an avenue for camaraderie.  How many middle and high school outings involved going to the movies?  How many first dates?  The rumors and gossip online or with friends, standing in line, excessively-high popcorn prices, previews, these are small things, but every person in this room could tell a story involving them, or has a particular memory.  After the show we talk with our friends about all the good and the bad, and later we’re able to join in with the people who have seen the movie.  Imagine everyone in your particular social group just saw the new Harry Potter or something, but you didn’t get to go because you had homework or something more pressing.  Now all of your friends are talking about, and you have nothing to contribute.  It’s a small, perhaps insignificant feeling of rejection, but it’s still no fun to be that outcast.

At a deeper level, films are a reflection of you a person, and where you fit in the world.  A simple example of this clarification of films by genres.  Much like the “continuous run” variety of the Vaudeville theaters, a wide array of genres ensures that there’s something for everyone.  If you don’t want to watch the romantic comedy, there’s an action movie playing at the same time, in the same building.  Genres don’t necessarily determine what kind of person you are—tough guys who like romantic dramas, girly-girls who like slasher movies, there are lots of examples.  But genres create subcategories of people who enjoy the same things, and desire certain things in their lives.  Two people who like science fiction will have a lot to talk about, even if they don’t necessarily like the same specific movies. 

“What really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow, but it's the fuckin' truth”

- John Cusak, High Fidelity

Back   -   Home   -   Next