Okay, I understand this lounge is only for discussions on screenwriting, but you can't talk about screenwriting without taking about structure, characters and dialogue. So I don't think I'm trailing off too far here. Please, keep it objective.
CRASH is one of the best structured stories that is ranked among ROSHOMON, PULP FICTION and BEFORE THE RAIN.
So I rented CRASH from Netflix and kept it for two months now, and I watched it over ten times. But somehow, I just don't like the movie because I can't identify with any of the characters in the story. However, I still think the script/movie is great because the way it's structured and its well rounded characters. I read the script first and saw the movie after, and I like the script more than the movie. Even though I don't like the movie, I would still have voted for an Oscar if I was a judge. For me, I don't have to like a movie for it to be great. "Like" is just a matter of taste and opinion. A great story is great whether you like or not because it is truthful, and that's what CRASH is. It foretells all these incredibly flawed characters that reflect American society yesterday, today and tomorrow.
So my questions are:
1. Do you like the movie and/or the script if you've read it? And why, in terms of structure, characters and story?
2. Do you have to be able to identify with a script/story/characters for you to like it and/or consider it great?
I wouldn't know a good v. great script and I doubt many folks can either from reading since a script is just a blueprint to a movie. So many other factors come in play- from directing, casting, acting, cinematography, editing, Luck and random acts of genius on the movie shoot. Stuff you make up- ad lib dialogue, change shots, locations- on the fly and it works in the finished movie.
Can folks really tell PULP FICTION would be a great movie from reading the script? Or Moonlight? Or reading the script to La La Land? The 1st page of La La Land is a 3-line short paragraph, "Motorists get out of their cars and dance on the freeway." That's it.
So to answer question:
1- No, a script is just a blueprint.
2- No. I just won't watch again or care. I hardly remember CRASH now. Hey, The English Patient won Best Picture too.
1. I thought "Crash" was pretty good. I haven't read the script. I may not be a cop but I like how shitty he was and how he was humbled at the end.
2. I personally don't need to be able to identify with the characters. But everything needs to make sense within the context of its own story.
- Chris