Odd Movies are Fun

I just got done watching ‘The Favorite’. I liked it. I think. I don’t know what to make of it. It’s weird. It’s odd. It’s marvelous. And because of all that, it’s fun.

I am not a connoisseur of odd films. I’m a person with a love for traditional narrative. One of the things that always makes me hesitant when an odd film is on my radar is that the traditional narrative structure is probably the first thing that’s going to eighty-sixed. But I’ve learned to love them for that exact reason. They don’t play by the rules, take chances, make me feel uncomfortable.

But that uncomfortable feeling can lead to something amazing. When you have that moment while watching something bizarre happening, you realize it’s happening, and instead of turning it off, you say ‘fuck it, I’ll go on this ride.’ That is an incredible moment.

Now not every weird film is for every person. They can be a challenge to watch. They need focus, an open-mind, a willingness to forgo easy understanding. But when you give into them, they can captivate. They can speak to a deeper truth then a typical narrative can, by forcing you to change your perspective. But they make you work for it.

If you can scratch, even just a little bit, past the surface and find a few bits of interesting, you, the idea itself that there is something more, a deeper meaning, can be the enjoyment in and of itself. Their unclear purpose and direction can be maddening, but if you can change your viewing approach, be present for them, and allow them to be who they are, even if you don’t understand them, you will be left with a greater appreciation for the film, it’s context, and over all imagination.

It’s wonderful and rare, and needs to be nurtured. Not even modern television, with all of its diverse and niche content, and focused audiences segments, creates anywhere near as strange and weird shows that we see in film today. This mostly stems from the inability of weird to translate to TV, where film’s strength is the unique venue for these type of stories — you allow yourself a block of time, experience it, then move on. Appointment or binge viewing doesn’t hold up as well, with too much weird can be tiring. In addition, people giving a significant amount of time to your journey on television, they expect a payoff with a tangible conclusion, where odd stories don’t typically offer.

And while I’m surprised that these films ever get made, let alone have theatrical showings, it is a testament to their need to be in the world. Someone, somewhere decides to make the investment and give the creators the space to make their vision. Not matter how irrational, they fight and claw their way into existence.

We need odd, we need weird. We need challenging. We need that represented.

Go watch something strange today.

Here is a list to of suggestions (in no particular order):

-Phantom Thread

-The Master

-The Lobster

-Only God Forgives

-Swiss Army Man

-Neon Demon

-Lost River

-Clock Work Orange

-Mulholland Drive

-Under the Skin