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This is a movie that years ago I would have been excited for. I generally like commercial movies that trend towards the artsy side and have something interesting to say - as opposed to just mindless movie fun.
The problem is that I’ve been burned too much lately. I went into One Battle After Another with an open mind and as a big PTA fan. I don’t know what exactly it is, but I just can’t handle such heavy handed messaging and themes that I profoundly disagree with. There was a time where I could appreciate a thoughtful film for its artistry, despite the fact that it was messaging something I disagree with. Maybe the current crop of these movies are just less skillfully executing on the idea. Maybe it’s me - I have become more radicalized over the past 10 years.
Either way, I don’t even want to see Digger because the best case scenario is that I leave the theater, reflect on it, and find the whole thing distasteful. That’s what happened to me with OBAA. I was moderately entertained in the theater, but after reflecting on it for 5 minutes in the car on the way home I just kept thinking about all the things I didn’t like about the movie, what it was saying and the overwhelming critical praise it was getting.
Yeah, and I find it genuinely hard to believe that the critical praise is not in large part due to how it makes critics who agree with the messaging feel smart. I too enjoy watching something that makes me feel smart; that doesn't mean it's artistically worthwhile.
Would today's critics be able to praise something like "Birth of a Nation"? It's been "baked in" by previous generations of critics who could now so they don't really have a choice but to praise that one, but a new movie like it.
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