Changes in attitude due to a traumatic experience?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
September 6, 2011 8:43am CST
I watched two movies I’d recorded this week, Knight and Day and Seven Pounds, with quite different reactions than I thought I would have. This is a rather long post, sorry.
I watched K&D because I wanted pure entertainment and escapism. Instead, I got a variety of reactions, mostly negative. The plot involves a male secret agent and a woman bystander who gets caught up in his business. There’s a lot of shooting and killing that just breezes by the watcher until after the movie is over. The woman takes part in the deadly chaos with seeming abandon other than in the first half hour asking him to stop all the shooting. They end up “happily ever after” with no discernable reaction to the murders. This movie did very well at the box office.
Seven Pounds I almost stopped watching because it moved so slowly but the ending was both sad and uplifting. It was a flop at the box office.
I have to conclude that anyone who enjoys the first movie has never seen someone die, never seen the light go out of someone’s eyes as their soul leaves the body. I find myself deeply affected by that experience and can no longer enjoy watching even the bad guys murdered on screen. On the other hand, Seven Pounds really inspired me and I’m still thinking about it.
Have you ever seen someone die? If you have, has it affected the way you react to movies and life situations like the wars all around the world? Do you find that “gentler” movies such as Seven Pounds appeal to you more after your experience?
4 people like this
8 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Sep 11
Hi dragon mate -
I've not heard of either movie and I've not watched someone die. However, something about your discussion has touched me and I am feeling that it's somehow , maybe in a small way, giving me some readiness for when my dad goes. He's 98 and becoming frail and weak and not eating much. I will be devastated when the time comes, I can't imagine being without my dad.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Sep 11
I wasn't close to my Mum and I still have regrets going back many years to this day. I was doing a course at one time and I had to write about the things I was good at. I was stumped so I went to see my Mum. She said..."I don't know (my name)". I was crushed. It was a time when I really needed my mum to tell me something good about myself and she was unable to do it. My self esteem just shattered. I was both ashamed and embarrassed.
Your discussion has made me think that maybe it's time I grew up. BUT, how do you forget the pain and the shame and move on and not continue to feel bad and sad about things? I don't think I'll ever figure it all out.
@cvsuperman16 (72)
• Philippines
6 Sep 11
No I have not seen someone die, I have seen both movies and I do believe that seven pounds is the better of the two.I think Knight and Day was a hit because it rarely happens and is farther from the reality of the regular joe. Seven Pounds on the other hand was more serious and seemingly possible. I guess with all the things that are happening around the world people would want to watch something where they can escape from the depressing reality.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
6 Sep 11
I, too, am glad you have not had the experience of seeing someone die. It changes everything, it is haunting and unforgettable.
K&D was purely escapist and I know people weren't supposed to take it seriously. I guess my state of mind has permanently changed.
And yes, we sure do need some distraction sometimes, what a mess this world is! But I agree the Seven Pounds was the better of the two. I'm still thinking about it, it was very inspiring.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
11 Sep 11
Personally I have never been one for a lot of movies like this first one. I have seen the previews and such for seven pounds and do really want to see it. I just am not much of a movie watcher right now, but movies with murder, etc. I have never been into. The closest I have usually seemed to get is the Law & Order type Police shows as they show enough realism to get by on.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
7 Sep 11
Experience does change people and at my age I have changed a lot. I haven't watched either movie. Personally, I prefer comedies and Disney Movies or any really tame G Rated Movie.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
7 Sep 11
Disney used to make good, entertaining movies that were total escapism. Nowadays, though, they have an agenda and want to deliver a message--it varies with the political climate. I don't automatically watch a movie made by Disney anymore but they are still pretty good. I like G rated stuff--I would much rather imagine what happens behind closed doors than see it.
@hafiz008 (450)
• India
6 Sep 11
I just love to watch films as they are time pass and relaxation to our mind. The character,story,theme and music etc will haunt in your life. It is only for a shorter duration. So don't compare the film with cinema and do you think a man can kill many person in a situation. I don't believe in happy ending as it occurs only cinema. In cinema every scene is known but in real life it is not. We don't know what will happen in the future.Just leave it after you saw the film whether it is action or sad movie
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
•
7 Sep 11
I have watched part of the movie knight and day and I don't remember why I didn't finish watching the whole movie. However, these days I don't get sucked into movies as I used to be a few years ago. It seems I have realised they are not real after all so I don't get attached to them any more. I guess they don't affect me these days as they used to in the past.
1 person likes this
@JosephP (1116)
• Jamaica
9 Sep 11
Seven Pounds is a great movie in my opinion. It was extremely good acting by Will Smith. I believe that people are greatly affected by their experiences. Any kind of loss is usually painful. It gets difficult to continue with the same outlook after you lose something that you love.
