Storytelling : Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

Todd Solondz has got to be the most uncompromising film director there is. He has more chuzpa in one of his fingernails (forget just fingers) than most directors have in thier entire body combined, and that is reason enough to like him. I think it's amazing that most people don't understand Todd Solondz. First of all, I would not characterize Todd's films as being comedies. Yes, there are humorous moments in his films, but the very definition of "comedy" is to bring one's spirit's up; to make one feel happy, and that everything will turn out fine in the end. Todd's films are dramas with comedy in them, since I won't say his films really make a person feel good, but I believe they are important none the less. Secondly, his films are anything but mean. Todd shows that everyone one has flaws (or as Alan from Happiness would say, "We all have our pluses and our minuses"), but just because that is so that does not mean a person is all bad. I think it is much cruler to paint a "villian" as a Joker or Darth vader type- that just because a person murders does not mean he will rape, steal, or do other bad things. And that is what makes his films so great-- that there is not one character in his films that are all bad or all good. In Happiness for example, when Bill, the pedafiler sees his son is depressed, he asks his son "What's the matter" to which the mother relpies to Bill "he's 'depressed' ignore him, he thinks you will be impressed; as if." This scene shows as example, where Todd Solondz shows that just because a person is a pedifiler, that does not mean he does not care about others. Bill (the unaccepted "monster" or "animal" or any other incorrect label you can think of) cares more about his son than his wife (the "normal" person) does. So from this, and in all of Todd Solondz's films, Todd lets the audience know that just because a person has some flaws, does not mean he is devoid of humanity. As Dutch would say -in the great TV show, Soap by Susan Harris- "I'm a murderer, not a rapist."
Well, that is my board, for fans of Todd Solondz (based on the reasons I mentioned) here are some films that (similar to Todd Solondz) show what being a human is really all about:

1. Fear, Anxiety, and Depression- I know this is a Todd Solondz film, but I know a lot of fans have not seen it. It is worth owning, so pick it up. While it is definatley not as good and insighful as Todd Solondz's best films, which in my opinion are Happiness and Storytelling; Fear, Anxiety, and Depression is right on par (or pretty damn close) to his other films. So see it.
2. You Can Count on Me- While the worst part of this film is the title (and a somewhat slow ending) this film is probably the most realistic, mainstream film I could think of. While Todd's films are realistic; they are realistic in showing and saying people's thoughts that are usually kept hidden; while You Can Count on Me the actions and dialogue is what is actually heard and seen in real life. Much like Todd's films; there are no flawless characters in this films, which makes this movie so much richer. Be warned this movie is all about character and situations and dialogue, the plot is secondary (but I believe plot is just the glue that holds the film together anyway).
3. Monster- Having seen many films about Serial Killers, this is the most compassionate and realistic film I have seen. (So much more than the overrated, yet entertaining films- M, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, though the latter is better). Though those 2 films make you pity the serial killers they don't attempt to understand and humanize them; which is something Monster does do. If it at all interets you to see a film that shows that society plays a big role in creating serial killers and to feel that if you where in the serial killers position, you might also murder people, then Monster is the film for you.
4. Crumb- A perfect movie to combine with Todd Solondz's Storytelling. Both of these films talk about writing, but while Storytelling is about how that all writing is subject to misinterpretation, and that people call something "shocking or unrealitic" not because it's gross or untrue, but because the situation goes against a person's lifestyle and point of view, Crumb shows how art is a form of catharsis. (If liked Crumb, all recommmend, the underratted, Man on the Moon, which is about Andy Kaufman, but also so much more).
4. Grizzly Man- Probably the most different from all the films on here, this is just a good film about a man who lives with bears because he can't handle life with humans.

I think I wrote enough for now, but let me know what you opinions are about Todd's films and what you thought of the films I recommended (if you decided to see them), I will try to recommend more Solondz like films later.

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

Good essay Daniel. I agree with the films that are similiar to Todd's films too.

My top 20:
http://www.ymdb.com/tyler-l/l28735_ukuk.html

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

I've only one thing that bothers me about your analysis: Yes, teh father is concerned, but doesn't he also offer to masturbate his child? I think that's a very important part of his profile that you completely ignored. Oh well...

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

I didn't ignore that part, my point was that as immoral as the pedophile iss he still has some good personality traits.

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

Yes, but still, I'd like to think pedophilia would put quite the blemish on somebody 'resume' (if you will).

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

I agree, they probably wouldn't let him be an elemantary school teacher.

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

i just have to say hes hilarious............... everythhing is great. i mean everything!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Do you think Todd Solondz's films are realistic or absurd realism?

I think his films accurately document rare, realistic events. I think he's misanthropic, but he doesn't seem to go completely over the top nor is he dishonest. So yes, I think they're more real than absurdist.
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