Now, Voyager

My most recent movie on Netflix, Now, Voyager, (starring Bette Davis who was nominated for an Oscar) was one of the best films I have ever seen. I really don’t know how to explain the emotional connection I had with the film but I cried MY EYES OUT during the entire film. I’m astounded by how much films have drastically changed since black and white films ruled the screen, it seems as if there’s more of a movement towards realism as opposed to simply telling a wonderful story about two people in love. Normally, I never ever cry in movies, I think the last movie I cried in was when I was 12 watching Airbud as the kid left his golden retriever (which my family had at the time) on and island. I cried throughout this entire movie and then SOBBED during the final minute of the film. I read a review on Netflix that really hit me as far as how tactless a lot of contemporary films have gotten over time… In Now, Voyager, Bette Davis’ love interest, Paul Henreid, experience ‘sexual intimacy’ not by obviously stating tactlessly (of course because the film was made in 1942) but it was conveyed by the way in which he lit their cigarettes, which were both placed in his mouth then put into hers. Isn’t there much more craft and skill put into film-making when you have to think of how to convey the message subtly and tactfully? Believe me, it’s not because I don’t want to see a full on sex scene on the big screen, because, at times, who doesn’t? But there’s just so much more of expression of talent, skill, thought process, and intelligence that is put into film when the filmmaker isn’t stating the obvious that these two people want to have sex and then do it. As the audience, I like to watch a movie and think.