Just Relax: How to Watch a Film

I’d like to talk a little about how to watch a film as a film student. This is in part due to a comment on my “Writing the Dark Night” post that genuinely asked if I ever just relax and soak a film in, and in part because of comments from some non-film-student friends about how I sometimes pay too much attention to the details of a film.

Let me set something straight: I do just soak in film sometimes. I am a zombie movie fanatic, I rent B-movies (especially action flicks) by the dozens, and dedicated an entire year of Thursday nights to following Grey’s Anatomy before I discovered “The Office” and all of its wonders.

But yes, when I particularly enjoy or dislike a film, as a student I can’t help but ask myself “Why?” And that’s when I start to study the cinematography, take note of performances, and – most importantly – dissect the story.

Taking an interest in something I liked has always gotten me into trouble socially. When I was in middle school and college people called it “geeky” and when I got to college people called it “pretentious.” Apparently liking computers, books (even if they were – dare I say it? -  written before  1960), and films from all countries and genres is unforgivable. I can’t tell if people think I judge them for not sharing my tastes (I don’t… rock on, Hilary Duff fans!) or if maybe I really am as lame as I was in sixth grade.

I’ve never seen a sports fanatic be called pretentious for knowing plays in last night’s game or the stats of their favorite baseball player. What makes me any different from them? Just like my baseball-addicted family all make a judgement on who botched up every game because they fervently watched every replay of an out on ESPN, I know that such-and-such film seemed too slow because such-and-such a scene seemed like a second-act turning point but actually turned into an ordinary obstacle, disappointing the viewer. And just like my brother used to watch pro game after game when preparing for a little league tournament, I will watch a film like “The Dark Knight” for its flaws and its good qualities in order to prepare for my next student film.

I’m not sorry if doing something I love comes off as pretentious or uptight just because somebody else doesn’t love it as much. And yes, I understand the frustration. I hate watching baseball with my family sometimes because they get too involved. But after a while, even if everyone else is examining plays I don’t understand and rambling off statistics I won’t remember, I find I can sit back on my own and enjoy the game on my own terms.

It makes me sad that not everyone can do that, but I’m sure at some point they will figure it out.