Notes from Norman

Realism in Films

I saw Cars this week. The movie raises the question, "How realistic do we expect movies to be?" In the first place it’s animated, which gives a filmmaker a lot more literary license than those producers who show real pictures. In this movie all the animated cars have personality, and they talk.

That within itself doesn’t strain credibility. I’ve ridden in cars that can talk. They say things like “the door is ajar,” “your key is in the ignition,” and helpful stuff like that. For some reason I don’t see too many talking cars these days. I think it’s because they all sounded like high school principals when they talked. I also think some cars have personality. Otherwise how do you explain the fact that you feel like you’ve just dropped an orphan on somebody’s doorstep when you trade in your old car? When I was a kid, people used to name their cars. I remember an uncle who named is car, “Blue John.” I wonder why we don’t do that any more.

However, I thought it did strain credibility when a romance developed between two cars. When I think about it, I guess I’m a sucker for such unrealistic fantasy. Near the end, the hero pushes “The King” (voiceover done by Richard Petty. Who else?). It’s The King’s last race. He gets wrecked by an unscrupulous competitor, so rather than win the race himself, the hero pushes The King over the finish line. Guess what? I had a lump in my throat. If you haven’t seen it, I’m sorry I ruined the ending for you. But it was that part of the story that convinced me that the movie was unrealistic. Racecar drivers may have drafting partners, but can you imagine Tony Stewart pushing Jeff Gordon across the finish line in front of him? Clearly the story lacks realism.

posted by Norman @ 6:19 PM