Driven by fear into an age of unreason

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A long while back, a close friend of mine and I had a long and seemingly profound conversation about relationships and what he described as 'food compatible' couples. I hadn't really given much thought to something that I generally take for granted, but I began to think, and still do think, that he had a good point in that people who tend to like similar foods (or are adventurous enough to try different things) and who have the same sort of eating routines tend to share more time together eating and are happier for it.

You can, of course, apply this sort of reasoning to other things, too, such as 'movie compatibility'. For some reason or another, Jarkko and I rarely seem to manage getting motivated enough to make it to the movie theatre. We generally like the same sort of movies, but recently he wanted to go see King Kong and, well, I simply didn't have any interest nor could I muster the enthusiasm even to suffer through it which caused a reasonable amount of tension for a week or two. I hadn't realised, or maybe just hadn't given it much thought, that Jarkko enjoys going to the movies a lot more than I do. Movies are great, but with the dreck in the theatres, I'll enjoy curry take-away and a DVD from the comfort of the sofa without a second thought.

Mainstream Hollywood movies are largely formulaic and dull and do seem to be the vast majority of the movies Finland imports. Many of the independent films either don't make it here, run for a week in a micro-theatre or come once a year in a film festival that is often sold out and on weekdays during working hours. I miss the Kendall Sq. Cine near MIT for being a 9 screen wonderland of independent films all year long. I didn't think that Good Night, and Good Luck would make it to Finland, but was delighted to see that it has though tucked away in the Forum theatre which is a lovely, but terribly uncomfortable, old movie house with a Roman motif. I've grown fond of ass cushions and cup holders. :)

Good Night, and Good Luck is, in short, a magnificently understated movie. Filmed in black & white and accompanied by the lush voice of jazz great Dianne Reeves, there is little to distract the viewer from the compelling déjà vu between McCarthyism and modern times. The portrayal of Murrow as a professional journalist acting on principle and moral outrage, yet not without uncertainty and doubt for his own and his teams' safety in a climate of fear driven hysteria, was touching. Murrow's Neil Postman-esque speech regarding TV as a new medium that has potential for good, but likely headed in the direction of dumbing down a nation, is disturbingly prescient as only those who understand human nature can do. Trust, as they say, is knowing exactly what someone will do. I briefly wondered what Murrow would think of TV journalism now when none seem brave enough or strong enough to finally challenge the current administration's wiretapping of the American public, to be the ones to ask that, at long last, have they no shame.

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

George Clooney appears to have begun to channel his moral and political outrage to good use in the form of worthwhile films. I'll go to the cinema any day of the week for a good movie like Good Night, and Good Luck which would certainly improve our movie compatibility rating. I just ordered the DVD though so maybe I'll just watch it from the sofa with Jarkko and Otava and keep hoping that there is an Edward R. Murrow in the US media just waiting for the right opportunity to fight the battle against ignorance and indifference...and reality TV shows.