matrixschmatrix wrote:Haha, you're starting to sound like a tweed-jacketed professor in a Rodney Dangerfield movie, man.
Whatever, if that's how I'm seen that's how I'm seen. We're talking about perception anyway, so I can't argue with it particularly since I've never seen a Rodney Dangerfield film.
Who knows? The characterization might be apt. Guess I'll have to buy a tweed jacket. Does it have to have the suede patches on the elbow? And is it obligatory that there be burn marks on the lapels from the ashes of my pipe? Does a good single malt come with the gig?
matrixschmatrix wrote:The wittiness of the remark in Rushmore is contextual- it's not a screwball movie, and the people in it largely aren't allowed to talk in jokes, so the wordplay of it comes off as though it is actually from the character saying it, not from a script doctor. Moreover, it's really sold by Max's complete delight with himself, and everyone else at the table's continued looks of distaste.
So you think the exchange between Jean Harlow and Marie Dressler was a joke? And the exchange from
Rushmore wasn't? I think I've found the problem.
To me, the wordplay came off exactly like it was from a script doctor - someone who had aced freshman English comp and though that meant he could write. As far as I'm concerned, the movie jumped the shark in the restaurant scene and Max's "wordplay" doesn't even rise to the level of "So's your mother". It seemed puerile, like so much of the film's dialogue.
Brian C wrote:Except that you actually aimed it at LQ, far as I can tell. Or maybe matrixschmatrix.
Well, hard to take good aim in a pile on. The last thing I'd want to do is offend someone whose avatar is one of my favorite all-time sexy actresses. Besides, it gave you the opportunity to take your daily pot shot at me, so there's that.
Look, I'm really not trying to offend anybody but it's getting harder to do while trying to defend my POV. Maybe we can agree that I'm way past the sell-by date for this film at this time and that colors my perception in no small degree. I certainly don't wish to make permanent enemies here over the film. I've tried hard to own my opinion as just mine and not disparage those who like and admire Anderson's work. Now I seem to be crossing that line ( or being pushed across it) and I don't like it. But to be called Rex Reed? Really, that's too much.