While it's hard for me to understand why millions of people admire "irrationality" and "violence," after watching Elizabethtown, I at least have a better understanding of the appeal of the "past." The story of "Elizabethtown" is simple and cliché, a man frustrated in modern society returns to his hometown due to a special event (in this film, the death of his father), and learns the true meaning of life from simple country life.
Although there are not many bright spots in this film, the proper use of the impression of the American South in the minds of Americans is one of the highlights of this film. On the negative side, the South symbolizes all that is bad about America. 200 years ago, it was the insistence of Georgia and South Carolina that not only accepted slavery in the United States, but also postponed even the trivial innovation of banning the import of slaves until 20 years after the founding of the country. This "original sin" of the United States eventually led to civil war. However, 150 years after the end of the Civil War, they remained stubborn. Instead of repenting, they romanticized the "Old South" and became advocates of extreme conservatism in the United States. Bringing back the mid-century neoconservative stalwarts.
Knowing that the South has so many disgraceful histories and depressing present days, I still sometimes fantasize about what would happen if I moved to the South to live in a small house in the future. As an Asian, I am afraid that it is difficult for me to integrate into the local culture, and many customs and traditions of the South will probably make me unaccustomed. But it seems to me that anyone who knows anything about America will find the South's unique folklore and peculiar traditions alluring. It may not be the modern society we live in, nor can it represent the advantages of American progress, business, etc., but its romantic color is unparalleled.
From any point of view, the South in Elizabethtown is romanticized to the extreme and the antithesis of modern society. The opposite of the modern small family is the big family regardless of you and me. This may no longer be the case in the modern South, but in our imaginations it should be. Maybe it's because it's not available that makes the South so attractive, it represents a bygone era. While we know that a society that allows me to watch the Yankees-Red Sox games on time from thousands of miles away is perfect, nostalgia for an idealized distant past may linger forever.
In a sense, the South is like Kristin Dunst. Although he doesn't look pretty, he has a charismatic personality, full of charm and star quality. In contrast, the North is like Orlando Bloom, looking handsome, but unable to hide its empty heart. In fact, Bloom will always be the most boring part of a film, and this one is no exception, making him the protagonist is the director's biggest failure.
With such a beautiful South as the backdrop and Dunst as the heroine, Elizabethtown isn't a good movie. As AO Scott of The New York Times said, there's so much to say about this film, but they're all half baked (to borrow Dave Chappelle's famous quote). So-called as a Cameron Crowe film, the feeling of this film has always been very sweet, but there are not many places for this film to attract people except the south. It is no wonder that this film has a bad box office and bad reviews. I didn't have it at the time. The urge to watch.
But maybe the friend who recommended me this film didn't tell me to watch the whole film, but to absorb the highlights, such as the line Dunst and Bloom said on the phone, "I think this is the highlight of our relationship." Alas, que sera, sera.
View more about Elizabethtown reviews
