Why do we feel the need to watch over and over and over and over and over again?
Topic 207 · 9 responses · archived october 2000
~Susan
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (00:15)
seed
One of the things that keeps coming up here on the Spring is that we are all watching the JA adaptations over and over again. Why are we doing this? What draws us back again and again when other, perfectly wonderful movies satisfy us in one or two viewings?
For me right now, Emma3 is calling to me every day when I get home from work. "Watch even a few scenes of me...come on, you know you want to!"
I think one of the things that brings me back time and again is that, in real life, once you have that first kiss, once you say "I love you" that first time, once you go on from there..., it can never be the "first time" again. However, every time we watch one of these adaptations, it is the first time each time.
Other thoughts?
9 new of
~Serena
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:16)
#1
"..once you have that first kiss, once you say "I love you" that first time, once you go on from there..., it can never be the "first time" again."
That's exacty what I told the hubby last night, when he asked if I was going insane watching JA's adaptations and leaving laser discs, videos, books all round the TV. Well , you never know when you might need a romance boost.
Alternatively, I probably need a life.
~Kali
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:27)
#2
I agree...it's like falling in love...or, like when you THINK you're falling in love...you're absolutely obsessive for a time, and then the feelings either die or even out to a nice, stable, old-married-couple sort of deep-seeded appreciation...familiarity breeds either contempt or greater, sager, calmer understanding.
~Serena
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:30)
#3
Hmm.. how absolutely familar and true, Kali. - calmer understanding!! I'm ready for an adaptation right now.
~janea
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:41)
#4
I think there are many reasons why I love to watch the JA movies over and over again. It�s for the love and the romance of course. It�s also for the happy endings. In real life there are so many unhappy ones, but here you know all the time that they will marry in the end. That�s heartwarming and just what I need when real life isn�t just sunshine and blue skys.
But the most important reason I think, is the heros. They are just like the men of our dreams. They are masculine and goodlooking and romantic, but more important, they are all warm and strong and caring. And the way they _look_ at the heroines. I think we are all longing for to be looked at that way. And by watching over and over again we almost are.
~Hollis
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:53)
#5
I agree with you all about why we watch the JA movies over and over. I also think that I watch them because they represent a simplier time. Although I don't want to give up my modern life, there is something to be said about having male/female roles so defined. They didn't have as many choices but they also didn't have the stress of trying to do it all. These movies respresent a life that I wouldn't mind trying for a while.
~kate
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (11:41)
#6
These movies respresent a life that I wouldn't mind trying for a while.
Don't forget the outdoor privy, and no antibiotics. And that most of us would have been the servants...
~Dina
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (13:30)
#7
They are just like the men of our dreams. They are masculine and goodlooking and romantic, but more important, they are all warm and strong and caring. And the way they _look_ at the heroines. I think we are all longing for to be looked at that way.
Do men like this ever really exist? Or are they a figment of the imagination of female writers through time?
~LKenn
Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (18:07)
#8
Hollis - I agree with you. I can think of worse ways to spend a day than playing at the piano, reading, perfecting the art of portraiture, taking nature walks, etc. And I can think of worse ways to spend an evening than dancing at a ball with a fine & handsome gentleman, or dining with 4 and 20 families! I think we need a well calculated mix of the old & the new.
~Serena
Sat, Apr 12, 1997 (04:11)
#9
Perhaps since JA's books are all so focused on the emotional aspect, always with someone maturing for the sake of love and likewise, a villian going downhill from his/her lack of strength of character.. and at the expense of love..
It is a timeless lesson which can be learnt and re-learnt with our own experiences in life - A Knightley (esp. looking like JN) would have been so ideal to grown up with, a Darcy (CF) with all his unfailing devotion would be such a "catch" and a Wentworth, hmmm... after 8 years and still 'hurt' about the break-up and my favourite Mr Willoughby - I could go over and over and over and never be bored.