What movies would I like?
December 29, 2009 12:16 AM Subscribe
MovieFilter: I recently watched and enjoyed the film All the Real Girls. Specifically, I seem to enjoy movies that are: slow, subtle, somewhat funny, southern, romantic and a bit long. Any suggestions for more things to fit this bill, or does this one movie meet all of my needs in a way that no other can? Hopefully helpful side note: I saw Up In The Air tonight, and also enjoyed it, mainly for the same sense of calm and subtlety I liked in ATRG.
Best answer: Oh, maybe The Station Agent. And possibly Twin Falls Idaho.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:09 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:09 AM on December 29, 2009
Best answer: You Can Count On Me? and another vote for The Station Agent.
posted by Erasmouse at 3:31 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by Erasmouse at 3:31 AM on December 29, 2009
I enjoyed “The Notebook”: it’s a movie you can relax and let flow over you, just like a warm southern evening. It’s also one of the few films out there that tells a complete story. There’s a well-defined beginning, middle, and end. Have a few tissues handy. The stirring performances by Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands, and James Garner run the emotional gamut.
posted by netbros at 4:50 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by netbros at 4:50 AM on December 29, 2009
Going to have to disagree with netbros, here. If you enjoyed All the Real Girls, you're going to find The Notebook maudlin, melodramatic, and overwrought. We're talking about Nicholas Sparks here, not an author known for understatement. Which is great if you're looking for an out-and-out tearjerker, but quite a ways from the emotional subtlety of Green.
It's not Southern as such, but I think you'd get a kick out of Lost in Translation. It meets all of your criteria except that one.
Also check out In the Bedroom. Another small, subtle movie, and while it isn't really a romance as such--and not Southern at all--it's got all the emotional tension you could hope for.
posted by valkyryn at 5:54 AM on December 29, 2009
It's not Southern as such, but I think you'd get a kick out of Lost in Translation. It meets all of your criteria except that one.
Also check out In the Bedroom. Another small, subtle movie, and while it isn't really a romance as such--and not Southern at all--it's got all the emotional tension you could hope for.
posted by valkyryn at 5:54 AM on December 29, 2009
Strongly seconding George Washington.
A few of Robert Altman's movies might also be up your alley: Cookie's Fortune in particular checks all your boxes, if memory serves. If having the film set in the South isn't a pre-requisite, check out Short Cuts. Images and 3 Women are a bit more experimental, but have a strangely dreamlike nature you may find appealing.
And maybe some of John Sayles's movies: Lone Star and Sunshine State, specifically.
posted by Prospero at 6:06 AM on December 29, 2009
A few of Robert Altman's movies might also be up your alley: Cookie's Fortune in particular checks all your boxes, if memory serves. If having the film set in the South isn't a pre-requisite, check out Short Cuts. Images and 3 Women are a bit more experimental, but have a strangely dreamlike nature you may find appealing.
And maybe some of John Sayles's movies: Lone Star and Sunshine State, specifically.
posted by Prospero at 6:06 AM on December 29, 2009
The Thin Red Line is slow and has some romantic threads and, to me, has characters with a southern state of mind. DGG, who directed ATRG, definitely takes inspiration from Terry Malick.
I'd also check out french filmmaker Patrice Leconte's romances: M Hire, The Hairdresser's Husband, and Girl on a Bridge. Of course, there's nothing southern about them.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 6:26 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'd also check out french filmmaker Patrice Leconte's romances: M Hire, The Hairdresser's Husband, and Girl on a Bridge. Of course, there's nothing southern about them.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 6:26 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
When I saw your description of "slow, subtle, somewhat funny, southern, romantic and a bit long," I thought to myself that that I should just think of a movie I hate and recommend that. So when I saw it recommended, I just had to pop on here and say how much I really really really hated "Waitress." You'll love it.
posted by cali59 at 6:37 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by cali59 at 6:37 AM on December 29, 2009
Not Southern, but matches the rest of the request:
Lars and the Real Girl
posted by smallvictories at 6:49 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Lars and the Real Girl
posted by smallvictories at 6:49 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Lars and the Real Girl has the added benefit of also featuring Paul Schneider (one of the main reasons All The Real Girls also charmed me.)
nthing The Station Agent and Waitress, although I wouldn't call the latter slow neessarily.
On a slightly darker note, you might enjoy Breaking The Waves, which fails to meet the Southern requirement but absolutely nails the slow, subtle, romantic, and long requirements. I think of it in the same category as All The Real Girls, as far as film appeal goes for me.
posted by dorothy humbird at 7:20 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
nthing The Station Agent and Waitress, although I wouldn't call the latter slow neessarily.
On a slightly darker note, you might enjoy Breaking The Waves, which fails to meet the Southern requirement but absolutely nails the slow, subtle, romantic, and long requirements. I think of it in the same category as All The Real Girls, as far as film appeal goes for me.
posted by dorothy humbird at 7:20 AM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Check out Wes Anderson's film - not southern, but subtle, slow and calm. Darjeeling Limited and Rushmore are good places to start.
I don't know if you're into foreign films, but the films of Zhang Yimou (China) are slow, calm and beautiful. I'd recommend Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou or Not One Less to start.
One more idea... have you seen O Brother, Where Art Thou?
posted by kdern at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2009
I don't know if you're into foreign films, but the films of Zhang Yimou (China) are slow, calm and beautiful. I'd recommend Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou or Not One Less to start.
One more idea... have you seen O Brother, Where Art Thou?
posted by kdern at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2009
It's not southern, but Walking and Talking is quietly funny, subtle, and sort of slow.
How about Fried Green Tomatoes?
posted by apricot at 8:56 AM on December 29, 2009
How about Fried Green Tomatoes?
posted by apricot at 8:56 AM on December 29, 2009
If it weren't for your "southern" requirement, I'd say you were describing Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Not sure how flexible you are on that criterion though.
I love those two movies and I also loved "All the Real Girls," FWIW.
posted by awegz at 9:21 AM on December 29, 2009
I love those two movies and I also loved "All the Real Girls," FWIW.
posted by awegz at 9:21 AM on December 29, 2009
Robert Altman's 3 Women is only Southern in so far as it's based in Southern California. But there's no denying that it's slow and long.
posted by CutaneousRabbit at 10:00 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by CutaneousRabbit at 10:00 AM on December 29, 2009
100% Junebug-- hands-down my favorite film from 2005. I'd also recommend Malick's Badlands over The Thin Red Line, at least for what you're going for here.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:59 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by shakespeherian at 10:59 AM on December 29, 2009
Not southern, but A Very Long Engagement I think meets the other stipulations
posted by purpletangerine at 11:47 AM on December 29, 2009
posted by purpletangerine at 11:47 AM on December 29, 2009
Response by poster: I new mefi would come through on this one!!
Thanks, all... and a little follow-up info:
I am a big fan of Malick as it is, so I was not surprised to see him pop up a lot.
I recently also watched and loved The Station Agent! Great pick!!
The Notebook was recommended to me earlier, and I watched it but was let down. To heavy handed.
I will be watching all of the other suggestions, though!! Should keep me busy for a while...
Any more ideas, please feel free to keep em coming... (and the "southern" thing is not at all a requirement, just a bonus)
posted by broadway bill at 12:56 PM on December 29, 2009
Thanks, all... and a little follow-up info:
I am a big fan of Malick as it is, so I was not surprised to see him pop up a lot.
I recently also watched and loved The Station Agent! Great pick!!
The Notebook was recommended to me earlier, and I watched it but was let down. To heavy handed.
I will be watching all of the other suggestions, though!! Should keep me busy for a while...
Any more ideas, please feel free to keep em coming... (and the "southern" thing is not at all a requirement, just a bonus)
posted by broadway bill at 12:56 PM on December 29, 2009
ATRG is one of my all-time top 10 favs, too, and your question brought these flix mind. Don't think any check all the boxes in your list, but they all share some of the qualities I loved about ATRG, which I remember mostly for two things: the vividly original and true-feeling female lead, and the intense empathy I felt for the guy, along w/ the Indie thing, of course.
Goodbye, Solo
Good Dick
Ira & Abby
posted by dpcoffin at 5:36 PM on December 29, 2009
Goodbye, Solo
Good Dick
Ira & Abby
posted by dpcoffin at 5:36 PM on December 29, 2009
Re-reading the other posts I was reminded of another all-time fav indie romance, John Sayles' Baby It's You.
And just had to say that if you're in a romantic mood, Breaking the Waves is the LAST thing I think you'd want to see. I walked out after loving the first half, in horror over what was starting to happen… (My wife stayed and loved it, but agreed: it's a harrowing picture.)
Try Punch Drunk Love for a great Emily Watson flick that's more in the ATRG mode.
posted by dpcoffin at 5:50 PM on December 29, 2009
And just had to say that if you're in a romantic mood, Breaking the Waves is the LAST thing I think you'd want to see. I walked out after loving the first half, in horror over what was starting to happen… (My wife stayed and loved it, but agreed: it's a harrowing picture.)
Try Punch Drunk Love for a great Emily Watson flick that's more in the ATRG mode.
posted by dpcoffin at 5:50 PM on December 29, 2009
One last thing:
Sherman's March is a documentary, but it's definitely a slow, subtle, somewhat long, funny, southern romance, too. Unforgettable!
posted by dpcoffin at 5:53 PM on December 29, 2009
Sherman's March is a documentary, but it's definitely a slow, subtle, somewhat long, funny, southern romance, too. Unforgettable!
posted by dpcoffin at 5:53 PM on December 29, 2009
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posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:03 AM on December 29, 2009