We didn't havetime in class to get to this post while we were watching the movie, but I think it is still a valid problem. Feel free to view the clips and reflect on the quesitons I have at the end for exra credit.
Here are a few trailers to modern 'romantic comedies.' (They're jumbo size, so if they don't fit on your screen, just double click on each individually and the original Youtube page will pop up.)
In my opinion, these films are pretty disposable. Sure, they are made competently (for the most part) and the deliver a few laughs (sometimes) and they end with the guy and the girl getting together to live happily forever after (usually) - but still, I can't imagine anyone claiming any of them to be 'classics.'
So, here's the question: Is Breakfast at Tiffany's a classic, and if so, what makes it stand apart from these modern examples of 'romantic comedies'?
Also, are you glad we as a class watched Breakfast at Tiffany's? What did you get out of it, if anything? Be honest...
I think Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic romantic comedy. I think that it is because usually in most romantic comedies there is one weaker character and one stronger character that fall in love and wind up "saving eachother". In this movie Holly Golightly was a very independant woman and Paul was a writer who wasn't very dependant on anyone. Also, they both weren't looking for someone to fall in love with, and it didn't seem like they were until the last scene of the movie. In most romantic comedies one character is usually "desperate" for a partner and that desperation winds up causing problems between characters. I liked Breakfast at Tiffany's and am glad I watched it. I usually don't appreciate romantic comedies when I watch them, but I really enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether or not Breakfast at Tiffany's would be considered a classic, however so far it really has stood the test of time. I think that because Audrey Hepburn is so incredibly gorgeous, part of the appeal is that people just want to look at her. (It's like a bunny rabbit, or a baby seal, you just want to look at them.) The other thing is that she portrays such an interesting character. In other romantic comedies it's usually a normal guy and a normal girl of different social statuses attempting to get together, but experiencing many difficulties along the way. Breakfast at Tiffany's, however has a spacy, cute and somewhat childish young woman who makes her money by begging from her boyfriends, and a (potential? I'm pretty sure...) male prostitute. The unlikeliness of the whole situation makes most of the comedy part, and there is no part that's really too tearful making a light and enjoyable movie that not only highschool girls can enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI think a main reason why 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is considered a classic when compared to modern romantic comedies is due to the characters and plots. Today, I feel like the romantic comedies that run in theatres is just too repetitive. Every year they come out with another romantic flick that has big name celebrities and dry plots. They might be good for a quick laugh or two, but films that are considered a classic go more in depth. The characters have more to them rather than simply being celebrities stuck in a tightly scripted movie. Characters in classic films are very true to the movie. In addition, modern romantic comedies are too predictable. The ending can probably be fortold at the beginning of the movie; it seems as if the directors are simply trying to cram in as many laughs as possible with the hottest stars to make a quick profit rather than letting the story just take its natural place within the characters. Take 'The Notebook' for example. Although it is a modern romantic movie, but it will probably be considered a classic compared to other films adapted from other novels from the same author such as 'Nights in Rodanthe' or 'Dear John.' 'The Notebook' had characters that simply made the audience 'believe' and connect emotionally, while 'Dear John' or 'Nights in Rodanthe' seemed as if the audience was just staring into moving pictures.
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