Can anybody explain to me what was the point of having different actresses play the role of Aviva? It simply came off as a cheap gimmick to me, and really took me out of the film. It really made me laugh when Jennifer Jason Leigh played the role. Ellen Barkin plays her mother, and Jennifer is probably like five years younger than her. If you ask me, I think Todd Solondz's work has gone downhill after "Happiness" (an absolute masterpiece).
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Well put, filmfanatix, but I still disagree with the whole point of this film. It is possible to change. Most people never will, but some do. Some people change in huge ways. The nihilistic message of this movie is just too unrealistic for me. Of course there is truth in the idea that some things we are can't be changed, but to act like genetics is all that controls us is ludicrous. Twins don't always do exactly the same things- and they have the same genetic code. We have choices, and we make them.
On the subject of the varying people portraying the lead role- it's corny as hell. He didn't have to be so NOT SUBTLE about the point he was making. He is a hell of an intelligent movie maker, and his films are for thinkers, so why insult us with this blatantly in-your-face parlor trick? It detracts from the movie and 3/4 of the people playing the role are annoying- especially the little girl. It's the kind of mistake that keeps any movie from being great, no matter what the subject matter. I understand why he thought of doing it, but I'll never understand why he actually went through with it.
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uhm, i think the most obvious reason for the different actresses was to challenge peoples' reactions to this story based on your preconceived notions about the character based on who you think she is--showing the universality of this *beep* up story.
i this argument is making a statement about abortion (pro and/or con, whichever) it's GREAT that the different actresses playing Aviva weren't subtly different.
and i don't agree that Solondz really sides with the nihilistic message of Dawn's brother for everybody, but he makes a strong case for it, especially with "how many times can i be born again" quote from Bob/Earl. ha.
I thought she was unaware of her "barren" state...
shareI just watched the movie for the first time, and have the same question. It was very confusing to me. There must be a reasonable explanation -- I just must be missing it...
shareI had fun watching the different characters, and it was hilarious. Brought a comic element into the film, and also it showed us that the physical exterior is just the "wrapping" of who we are inside. At least, that's what I got out of it.
Life is like a wheel everything will change
I feel a little dumb because this question is probably very clear and obvious, but I'm just looking for someone to clarify something.
Did the order in which the actresses came on screen end up being a Palindrome?
It seems likely to me that it was, but I'm not 100%. If anyone knows for sure I'd appreciate their comments.
I'd start a revolution, but I just bought a hammock...
i'm pretty sure it did-- but don't quote me on that. i think the mama sunshine character was the middle one, and then it started to revert backwards and progress to the first cute lil' girl that was seen in the beginning.
Hollywood films = how we want the world to be.
Independent films = how the world really is.
the bob dylan movie "I'm Not There" also had 6 different people portraying the singer as different manifestations of his charachter and personality.
see IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368794/
the film medium allows us to do this as part of an expressionism movement.
it helps to portray certain concepts more vividly.
"think outside the box"
I kind of took it as Aviva could be any girl....although most girls I know weren't like that
Sometimes the difference between self-amusement and self-actualization is less than you think.
I thought it got pretty ridiculous at times and made it hard to figure out what was going on. I take that back, it made it impossible to figure out what was going on.
It took away from the story everytime they changed actresses.
until the end when she was changing during sex. I feel like I have to watch it again, to fully comprehend it. I wish he didn't do that, I was so distracted from the story.
I still enjoyed it, but I will wait awhile before I try to watch it again.
If you are Anti-American: Admit you are doing it just to be cool. Does it feel good to hate?