Since the birth of my baby two weeks ago, an important factor in movie selection has guided all of my viewing choices- rewatchability. This is the quality that dictates whether or not I actually purchase the DVD of a movie I like-will I watch it again and again? And again and again is how often I have turned to my dear old favorites the past weeks, as the nights stretch on and I hold my incomprehensibly wide awake newborn into the proverbial wee hours. Our rewatchable friends are nothing less than a balm to the soul, and let us now sing their praises.
My hormones being as they are, a few of the more dramatic choices are unsuitable for my condition. I currently regret ever watching the powerful, moving and resolutely haunting show “Six Feet Under” for example, and the first season of “Twin Peaks” is a bit too much for me, too, as is “The Station Agent.” For comfort on late nights, I turn, as I so often have, to my good friend The Dude, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.
Yes, the Coen Brothers’ comedic masterpiece “The Big Lebowski” captures the true essence of rewatchability. It is hysterically funny, and remains so with each watching. Indeed, and this is key, your appreciation of this flick only deepens with further viewings, mainly because John Goodman is doing something inspired and worth watching, describing to your friends, and repeating ad nauseum in almost every second of the film.
I also particularly like the way you can see The Dude, played delectably in jelly sandals and a Baja by Jeff Bridges, picking up phrases and notions throughout the movie and making them his own, such as when he sees the first President Bush giving a speech in the first scene, then continues to use pieces of it throughout the film. This is basically the funniest movie ever, and I find myself liking people slightly less when they confess they don’t like it. This is unfair but true. So now you know, friends who have confessed a lukewarm response to this one- that’s why I don’t return your calls.
Yes, rewatchability is akin to cult classic status, and many highly rewatchable flicks are indeed cult classics, like “The Big Lebowski.” However, rewatchability is a highly personal matter. Sentimentality often plays a big role, which is why I have rescreened “Clueless” so many times. Another highly rewatchable film that many people have not even seen once is “About A Boy” a sweet and witty little movie with a perfectly cast Hugh Grant as a feckless bachelor who befriends a 12-year-old boy. Being based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name, I assure you it is not as sappy as it sounds.
I find the films of Wes Anderson extremely rewatchable as well. Their highly detailed plots and sets make them full of moments that can be appreciated more deeply upon repeated viewings. Movies like this make for great rewatchabilty; those with surprise endings, obviously, do not. My latest inductee into the rewatchable Hall of Fame is the darling animated flick “The Incredibles.” Have you seen this? God it’s cute. I can’t get enough.
If you have ever seen “Old School” you have likely rewatched it 10 times. It, too, is full of funny references and lines that you can giggle at over and over again. Sure, there’s the plain silliness of the idiotic Will Ferrell backing up naked into his wife’s car (and how eerily accurate is it when he asks if they can go to KFC?) but there’s also the amusing reference to “The Graduate” and “Fight Club.”
And speaking of “The Graduate” I would like to personally thank AMC and the nebbish Robert Osborne for showing this utterly rewatchable classic late the past two nights. A similar thanks to the good people at HBO for playing “Before Sunset” last night around 3:00 a.m., although of course its predecessor, “Before Sunrise” would have been more appropriate. In terms of older rewatchable classics, I also require regular viewings of Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” and “Hannah and Her Sisters” for their soothing warmth and lovely musical scores.
Yes, rewatchabilty, a word you hawk-eyed grammarians may have noticed I made up, is a cinematic quality I now prize above originality of vision, truth of dialogue and presence of Eric Bana (although many rewatchables have those things, too). And should I fear that I am somehow damaging myself or my daughter with these repeated viewings, I must remind myself that babies learn by repetition (I think) and that I can relax and know that she is learning. Perhaps her first word will be “Dude.”
Contact Asia Frey at afrey@lagniappemobile.com.
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