Ann Althouse, the retired Madison Wisconsin law professor/bloggress whose posts often interest me, today wrote that “My Dinner With Andre” is her favorite movie, and that this is her favorite passage from it:
“I mean, you see, I think if you could become fully aware of what existed in the cigar store next door to this restaurant, I think it would just blow your brains out! I mean… I mean, isn’t there just as much ‘reality’ to be perceived in the cigar store as there is on Mount Everest? I mean, what do you think? You see, I think that not only is there nothing more real about Mount Everest, I think there’s nothing that different, in a certain way. I mean, because reality is uniform, in a way. So that if you’re–if your perceptions–I mean, if your own mechanism is operating correctly, it would become irrelevant to go to Mount Everest, and sort of absurd! Because, I mean, it’s just–I mean, of course, on some level, I mean, obviously it’s very different from a cigar store on Seventh Avenue, but I mean…”
Well, that explains a lot.
As readers here know, I am a creature of popular culture, especially movies and plays. I have long thought that Althouse’s cultural literacy was undernourished, and that it explains her quirky and often flat-out weird perspectives. Now I know that she really doesn’t “get” movies, which is just…sad. Yeah, there are some interesting observations made in this filmed and the scripted encounter between two professional intellectuals kind-of sort-of playing themselves, but it isn’t drama, it isn’t visually interesting, and if that’s a movie, I’m a catfish. Ann is one of those remote and superior people my parents would occasionally have over to play bridge, who boasted about not having a television.
I do not believe one can comprehend the United States of America without knowing our rich film and entertainment history; if we ignore it, we are stumbling around in the dark. I would name the movies I believe are crucial parts of that heritage, but it would take too much space, and would be infuriating incomplete. I will say this, however: “My Dinner With Andre” isn’t on the list.
Ethics Alarms 
Have you seen any of the “YouTube creator” movies that have been causing a stir: “Iron Lung”, “Obsession”, “The Backrooms”? I haven’t seen any of the three since they’re all more crass than I’m normally comfortable with, but I was subscribed to “The Backrooms” director’s YouTube channel (Kane Pixels) before the movie was even conceived, and I’m pleased he hit the big time. He was 20 years old when he directed the movie! I’ve seen it argued that these movies are just a flash in the pan, and only made it because horror is the most profitable genre, but I think it’s a good sign that more indie creators are getting past Hollywood.
If I recall correctly, “My Dinner With Andre” provided a wealth of insights into the character of self-important intellectuals, none of it complimentary. And THAT was worth seeing as a young adult. It was an inspiring tale of what not to be when I grew up.
Off topic but happy news: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgrkl104ly5o?xtor=AL-71-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_format=link&at_link_type=web_link&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_id=AFE24B80-766F-11F1-ADC1-8EA7FA7E6202&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_origin=BBCWorld&at_medium=social
Very cool. Thanks. I’ve been reading Austen lately. Her brother was a Royal Navy admiral who made his fortune capturing ships. Amazing how navies of that era were simply well organized and well-dressed for-profit pirate operations.
Happy 4th Jack! For 6th grade school Christmas party, I did charades based on holiday characters, movies, and tv shows. Turned out several never watched Frosty the Snowman or Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Recently, I’ve been thinking about this a lot, in part thanks to your movie posts, most of which I’ve never seen (including this one). We’ve shared movies with our kids like Goonies, etc but our favorites are from the 80’s on. Same with music. I’ve seen three professional plays in my entire life. One was a mystery theater. So… what do you consider critical movies to see for cultural literacy? We’ve seen Wizard of Oz, several westerns, (they were fascinated with support your local sheriff and invasion of the body snatchers) My son is a musician and is currently obsessed with the Beatles and that time period of music and most kids haven’t listened to popular music of any time period either. Which is a shame. Is Sinatra, Patsy Cline and Elvis critical?
My kid read The Client by John Grisham for school. I was surprised at that pick.
Jack, what is your opinion of Bergman’s films? What about this scene?
I saw My Dinner with Andre while in college. It’s a unique film, as in unorthodox, for the reasons you mention. I have never felt inclined to see it again. Maybe I should. But, regardless, I am not sure why someone would describe it as her favorite film.
-Jut
It would be the favorite film of someone who has no appreciation of drama, the core Aristotelian elements of it, the dynamics of groups experiencing of performance art, the movie-making craft, and culture generally. I assume Ann is somewhere on the autistic spectrum. Calling MRWA one’s favorite movie is like saying the Dictionary is her favorite non-fiction book.
It would be the favorite film of someone who has no appreciation of drama, the core Aristotelian elements of it, the dynamics of groups experiencing of performance art …
It does do that, but on a subtler plane. One participates in the verbal descriptions of the events from their lives, like Wally in his pathetic little apartment under his beloved electric blanket, and Andre in the Polish forest with the drama freaks, pushing their own boundaries to the limits. The participation however is more on a mental plane though.
Scene
Living mechanically …
I think we, on this site, should put together, a quintessential list of cinema that tell the essential American story. I will start:
For the earleist tiems: “The Last of the Mohicans” along with ‘The Crucible”, both with Daniel Day Lewis
My problem with cinema art is what happens when it is abused. I’d nominate Ken Burns and his entire oeuvre as the prime example of such abuse. Or almost anything produced by or shown on PBS.
I love this idea! I think Forrest Gump would probably be a “cinema that tell the essential American story”. The only ones that come to mind for me are sub plots… Bottle Shock about how California’s wineries broke into the market, Lords of Dog town about the emergence of the skateboarding culture, Ford Vs Ferrari… Seabiscuit, Rudy, etc. but maybe that’s what is needed. We are, after all, a melting pot and not one story. There’s usually a combination of ruthlessness, compassion, independence and community.
I love this idea! I think Forrest Gump would probably be a “cinema that tell the essential American story”.
If that is true, then we can truly say we are in deep deep trouble. May I assume my assigned rôle and offer an unconventional critique?
Forrest Gump is a retarded man. In this sense he is the embodiment of the Postwar “model citizen”. He is a complete victim of circumstances beyond his control. He has no agency at all. He is dim-witted but innocent and kind-hearted.
Everything simply happens to him, but he understands nothing. He is pictured, however, as the hero of the Great Drama of America. He is The American Everyman.
My God, if this is the “essential” American story then I ask to be directed to ‘the wood chipper’ and I will myself feed myself into it.
I do not believe one can comprehend the United States of America without knowing our rich film and entertainment history; if we ignore it, we are stumbling around in the dark. I would name the movies I believe are crucial parts of that heritage, but it would take too much space, and would be infuriating incomplete.
If you would name just 10 it would be appreciated.