Why are sentimental movies almost universally disliked?

[wonderer99]

I have always found this curious. Now dont get me wrong , a bad movie is a bad movie but it seems that films that have a sentimental tone or are structured in some way to turn the waterworks on are pretty much always criticised for attempting to do just that.

Case in point, I watched Mr Church which is a prime example. I thought it was a wonderful little film. Aside from being the best thing Eddie murphy has done in a long while it was just a very sweet movie. Headed over to Rotten Tomatoes and was shocked to discover it stands at 15%. Now i know the tomatometer is not something to pay a great deal of attention to but straight away it was clear that the sentimental tone of the film was a subject of criticism. I cant help but feel it is a lazy criticism. I mean, what precisely is wrong with sentimentality? Some films are designed to make us laugh, others to scare us etc etc and all film genres are guilty of twisting emotions to extract the desired response in viewers whether it be fear, laughter or indeed sadness. But an attempt to be sentimental seems to illicit an out of proportion disdain from both critics and viewers alike. Like i say if a movie is bad then it is bad. For example most Nicolas Sparks adaptations are usually just bad movies. But films like Mr Church seems to take a bashing mostly (it does have other issues) due to its tone and sentimentality.

I was wondering what other peoples opinions were on this? Maybe i am just getting setimental on my old age

[Ray Jackson]

I find Remember The Titans to be one of the most overly sentimental cheesefests ever made.

...but it's very beloved.

As are most Frank Capra movies.

[The Debts]

Mostly anything by Spielberg is pretty sentimental but they usually get a pass. I mean, Christ, I can't watch AI without being turned into a blubbering wreck.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Mostly anything by Spielberg is pretty sentimental but they usually get a pass. I mean, Christ, I can't watch AI without being turned into a blubbering wreck.

critically perhaps, but Spielberg is constantly scorned here on this forum by endless negativity for sentiment.

I've always figured it must not "be cool" to like stuff like that.

Same principal on always seeing posts with people raving about dark, depressing endings to movies because "it's not the typical Hollywood ending"... whatever that means

[esteban²]

People don't stumble over the sentimental part when it works for them, when it feels natural and real because they are involved in the story or simply connect. So, a sentimental movie, both in the good or bad way, is very personal. As films always are.

[Jasonic]

I'm fully with you. I dig sentimental movies too when they are finely made. War Horse is one I really enjoy, and while it was a BP nod, everyone I know (film fans that is) seems to lambaste it for it's sentimentality and supposed "manipulation", which is a stupid word that people only point out for these types of movies, when like you said, every movie tries to elicit a type of feeling or response out of you and uses all film techniques to push it.

I think it's just that so many people are too cynical these days.

[Rodney-2187]

I love Field of Dreams.

[Hellraiserfan]

Originally Posted by Jasonic

I'm fully with you. I dig sentimental movies too when they are finely made. War Horse is one I really enjoy, and while it was a BP nod, everyone I know (film fans that is) seems to lambaste it for it's sentimentality and supposed "manipulation", which is a stupid word that people only point out for these types of movies, when like you said, every movie tries to elicit a type of feeling or response out of you and uses all film techniques to push it.

I think it's just that so many people are too cynical these days.

In my experience over the years it seems the old "it tried to manipulate my emotions" is the most common reason why people don't like sentimental movies. I think it's a load of crap personally and when I see people use that line I can't help but assume they're trying to be a bit of an elitist or even pretentious.

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

I love Field of Dreams.

Same here!

[Ray Jackson]

The Shawshank Redemption is a pretty sentimental movie imo.

It was in my top ten for many years.

I'm not a big fan of the sentimentals.

...but Shawshank is a brilliant film.

[The Debts]

All movies are manipulative; It's just the good ones you don't notice it.

[BoogalooShrimp]

Originally Posted by The Debts

All movies are manipulative; It's just the good ones you don't notice it.

I agree. I dislike films that are overtly trying to tug on tbe heart strings because i can see it coming from a mile away. I'm way too jaded and cynical for that. You gotta be more creative for it to work.

[qb2333]

Casablanca is pretty sentimental but generally considered one of the best films. Also, all Chaplin movies were all sentimental and he's considered one of the all time greats. Maybe sentimental isn't cool or popular today (or maybe not done as well as suggested above) but I wouldn't go as far as sentimental movies are universally disliked, not even close.

[ZoetMB]

They're not universally disliked. They're disliked on forums such as this one, which is a specific and tiny subset of the audience, mainly comprised of little boys (of any age). How many women participate in these forums? But women are a large part of the movie-going audience.

[DanTheMan]

I can't relate to befriending an alien, but I cry every single time watching E.T.

Specifically the final scene.

[AaronJ]

I even enjoy films that are obviously sentimental and not really all that good! Heck, I may not own it, but whenever it's on I watch A Walk To Remember and cry every time.

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

They're not universally disliked. They're disliked on forums such as this one, which is a specific and tiny subset of the audience, mainly comprised of little boys (of any age). How many women participate in these forums? But women are a large part of the movie-going audience.

Absolutely right ZoetMB!

What a ridiculous assumption. Sentimental movies are certainly NOT "universally disliked" -- look at the AFI list. What you're asking is "why are sentimental movies universally disliked . . . by young males."

[DanTheMan]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I even enjoy films that are obviously sentimental and not really all that good! Heck, I may not own it, but whenever it's on I watch A Walk To Remember and cry every time.

That one there is in my Top 5 "chick flicks" of all-time.

Still waiting (impatiently) on the BD.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by DanTheMan

That one there is in my Top 5 "chick flicks" of all-time.

Still waiting (impatiently) on the BD.

Yeah, I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

[DanTheMan]

Matter of fact, can we get all of Mandy Moore's movies on blu-ray? Please?

[ThatOneGuy]

If you try to hard to make me feel something, you'll get the opposite emotion out of me or just a lot of hate from me (Crash being a very good example of that). I'm not against emotional movies, I'm against emotional movies that beat you over the head with manipulation.