Well it's Capra time. Remember when we watch Capra's films to keep in mind his idealized vision of America. Keep looking for his portrayals of individualism vs. collective, small town vs. big city, selflessness vs. selfishness, and truth vs. deception. His vision of America is still the reason for people wanting to come here. In our time of rampant consumerism, greed and materialism, Capra's films are a refreshing reminder of the values that make us truly compassionate and human. Was America ever the 'shining city on the hill' as Capra's films depict, or was this all just surreal or fake visions of America that were never true? Remember that Capra created some great propaganda films during WWII. Capra doesn't show an actual reality of the past - we all know America hasn't been perfect, blameless, and innocent, but he shows us a vision of what America should be: a nation of honest, hard-working, self-sacrificing and generous people, united with common dreams. In Capra's films people are never means to an end - they are the end. What we have today is at the other end of the spectrum - a nightmare vision completely opposite of Capra's principles. Check out what is happening on Wall Street, health care, foreclosures, etc. It seems that we have become one huge Potterville. Where are all the Jefferson Smiths, George Baileys and Longfellow Deeds? Is Capra's dream dead?
weisback i was just talking to em row about you, we miss film and all the craziness that went on. We thought about the time we almost broke the smart board projector with a Frisbee and you had a heart attack. Capra time was a fun time in film with costal doing his jimmy stewart impression.
ReplyDeletep.s. good call with the yankees winning the world series.
I feel that with the 'shining city on the hill,' it captures the reaction to what someone who's never been in the city. It reminds me of oldschool Disney commercial with the little girl.
ReplyDeleteCapra's dream didn't die; it has just been compromised... just like what Saunders says:
"Look, when I came here, my eyes were big blue question marks. Now they're big green dollar marks."
Weisback, this basically is what we have to write our essay about. Yes, I do believe that Capra's vision of America is dead. I believe America was never like it was portrayed in the films. Capra just had wishful thinking. Sure it was nice to see the good guy win in the end but after a while it just gets annoying simply because this just does'nt happen. It would be nice, but it really doesn't. European films are more realistic in this aspect because there isn't always a happy ending.
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