Crazy People and Their Pets

OK so I didn’t really like Gates of Heaven when I saw it at the screening.  It probably didn’t help that I was tired and hungry and I just wanted a movie to enjoy and not have to think about.  Although, ever since taking this course (as well as another film course I’m in this semester) I’ve found I can’t just watch a movie as a dispassionate spectator anymore.  I’m starting to watch movies the way I read books.  I’ve got my eye on the look out now for more than just, “oh that was funny” or “he was cute” or “that was so sad.”  Now, I’m really trying to look at things and understand how it is the director made that moment so funny or so sad.

So, I didn’t really enjoy Gates of Heaven at first because I was too busy trying to piece it all together in my head.  It made me work for it, which was irritating, but I totally appreciate it.  I was annoyed because I had this feeling like I was so close to understanding what was going on and yet still I felt lost.  I definitely want to watch it again.  It’s like a challenge.  It’s just a bunch of crazy old people who love pets too much, right? Hell no!

Side note: it really really bothered me that the singing dog lady was going on and on about that woman who made the big ordeal about not wanting her pet moved just because she wanted attention.  That was fine but then the singing dog lady criticizes this unseen woman because she wore fancy furs to the excavation and “didn’t she know it was going to smell…” I mean seriously! They love their pets so much and they’re wearing FUR to the gravesite?!? AARGH! I’m not even an animal person, perse, and that just pissed me off.