MovieChat Forums > Marty (1955) Discussion > Apparently, This Movie Is 'Dated'

Apparently, This Movie Is 'Dated'

posted 17 years ago by nicoledesapio
73 replies | jump to latest

Yesterday evening I went to a public screening of MARTY (one of my favorite movies; I'm a fan of classic '50s TV drama) and coming out of the restroom after the movie was over, I heard one woman say she thought the movie was "ridiculous" because the dialogue was "very dated." She said it was "just so ridiculous" when Marty suddenly began talking about the time when he wanted to commit suicide -- as though this kind of speech didn't really belong in what is basically a comedy.

Someone can think what they want to about this movie or about any movie -- but what annoys me is that certain older films, plays, etc. get described as "dated." Why? Because they were made more than ten years ago and don't allude to MTV? Of COURSE a film made in another time is going to make references to its own time. (For example, Marty talks about having been in WWII.)

The irony is that I'm under 35, and the woman who made the "dated" comments was easily in her mid to late forties.

[–] charcoalchicken 13 years ago

the subject matter is timeless so no it certainly isn't "dated".

[–] rwsmith29456 13 years ago

The time that the movie was set was the mid 1950's. Language, habit, fashions, everything has changed during that time. I suppose she would say something about Charlie Chaplain's 'Modern Times' being dated. Look at the manner of the 'feeding machine' salesmen. Does anybody act that way today??? I don't think I would like the woman that you heard very much at all.

[–] elsiethekitty96 13 years ago

I find it funny many of you can criticize a stranger's character and intelligence just because they have a different opinion.

[–] zerobeat 13 years ago

What live action movie isn't "dated" if it takes place in present-day Earth as it more or less really is at the time the movie is made?

It's a ridiculous criticism.

It's possible to make a live action movie and fool people to think it was really made earlier, but not the other way around.

Just try to make a live action movie today of any length, but keep it under wraps for 20 years and then see if you can convince people it was made in 2032.

[–] Movie_Buff_Brad 13 years ago

The acting is very theatrical and stage-like, like most movies from then. Other than that, it still held up for me.

http://www.the-editing-room.com/winters-bone.html

[–] Yucahaor 13 years ago

Art is subjective.

[–] Eumenides_0 13 years ago

A 1950s movie where a man freely discusses wanting to kill himself because he's unhappy, although living in the greatest country in the world, is certainly ahead of its time.

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

[–] jritty 13 years ago

that's cuz there's not much sense of history anymore. Anything old is worthless nowadays. Sad really - I love movies that can transport you to a different time.

[–] wintercobra 13 years ago

Wtf this film isn't a comedy!