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A story of the American Dream or condescending mockery?

posted 18 years ago by b1lskirnir
6 replies | jump to latest

The biggest problem I had with this movie was how it felt like Chris Smith concentrated way too much on poking fun at Mark and Mike rather than showing how his hard, if not senseless, work as a filmmaker paid off. As an amateur filmmaker myself, seeing a person like Mark was of course a very scary warning to remind myself, "This is what NOT to do," but I couldn't help feel like the entire documentary was more like a, "Let's make fun of these idiots!" sort of thing. It's a fine line, but I think it was crossed quite a few times.

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Modern Plumbing Studios, est. 2004

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] tyboulder 18 years ago

I agree with the last post, I think Mark is far more aware of what is going on then people think. And there's no question, probably the biggest theme of the movie is the comedy that is Mark (and his friends and family) trying to make this movie. I've watched the movie with the commentary and it's absolutely clear that the filmmakers care deeply about Mark, Uncle Bill and everyone that let them into their lives to make this film. You're right, you can tell the filmmakers walk a fine line, but it feels to me more like their laughing with him than at him.

[–] guilao 18 years ago

I agree, and Mark is probably telling himself, "Any publicity is good publicity." Since the film came out, he's done pretty well for himself. He never would have garnered this kind of attention on his own.

[–] plastronic 18 years ago

The first couple of times I saw the movie, I viewed it as mainly comedy, and that still is why I return to it. But after repeated viewings, I can really see the other side to it all-- Mark's ambition to live his dream. In many ways, the film is very caring towards that aspect. But it can't be denied that Mark is also often a total jerk to his family that supports him, and to some degree I think the movie teaches a cautionary lesson about being so focused on something you ignore how it's affecting others around you.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] druman451 17 years ago

i just watched for the first time and i felt more like there was a pretty deep affection for mark put forth. it wasn't like a freakshow it was like a study. i also felt like mark was aware of his sort of plight as a hapless loser (for instance the *beep* all over the bathroom epiphany" if i may). it's more like he's allowing us to laugh at him; we have his permission.