As a seasoned film enthusiast with decades of cinematic experiences under my belt, I must admit that the debate surrounding the American remake of “Speak No Evil” has certainly piqued my interest. Having grown up on a steady diet of Hollywood classics, I can attest to the fact that the trope of good triumphing over evil is deeply ingrained in our collective psyche.
In the chilling thriller “Speak No Evil”, an American family visits a secluded farmhouse, hosted by a British couple, unaware of the sinister duo of serial killers lurking nearby, eager to turn them into their next victims. The movie builds suspense throughout, culminating in a thrilling third act filled with murder, chaos, and ultimately, a surprising resolution. However, it’s this final resolution that has drawn criticism from Danish filmmaker Christian Tafdrup, who directed the original 2022 version upon which the James Watkins American remake is based.
On the Danish radio program Kulturen (through World of Reel), Tafdrup expressed critical opinions about the remake, particularly its ending. In his perspective, the finale is significantly darker and portrays an American couple being brutally punished instead of surviving to enjoy a happy ever after (though they might still be facing a hefty therapy bill). The director asserts that Americans have been conditioned to anticipate favorable outcomes, and the remake reinforces this mindset in a culture that has long emphasized the indomitable American spirit, suggesting that it will always prevail against adversity.
“It seems there’s something unique about American upbringing – they’re accustomed to stories where good triumphs over evil. Yesterday, when I watched the American version of the film, I understood why; it embodies this concept. In our film, characters meet a grisly end by being stoned, but such an approach wouldn’t work with American audiences. Instead, they prefer their heroes to fight for their families and vanquish the villains… It ends on a positive note, which is deeply rooted in American culture, making it fitting for them.
To strengthen his argument, Tafdrup compared the varying audience responses towards both versions. He observed that following the remake, people were “extremely excited, clapping, laughing, and cheering – it felt like a rock concert.” On the other hand, his movie left people feeling “disturbed.” Thus, he concludes that the Blumhouse production is “less intense” or “more safe.
Is Christian Tafdrup Right About Americans?
Tafdrup’s beliefs about Americans aren’t off the mark. From our childhood, we’ve been taught that good overcomes evil, a concept that has been reinforced in Hollywood since as early as 1934 when the Motion Picture Production Code – self-imposed guidelines established by the industry – was revised to emphasize this theme.
“No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil or sin.”
Originally known as the Hays Code, this was a set of moral guidelines for the film industry, named after Will H. Hays who led the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America at the time. By the late 60s, it was largely abandoned and replaced by the MPAA rating system we’re familiar with today. Although it’s no longer officially enforced, many studios continue to adhere to these principles in various ways, as they feel that American audiences generally prefer uplifting conclusions or find more challenging themes difficult to process, reflecting a belief that our world isn’t always like a fairy tale.
It’s worth noting that movies with grim endings tend to be more lasting in our memories compared to those with happy endings which quickly end up on the bargain shelves at Walmart. For instance, films like “The Mist”, “Requiem for a Dream”, “Night of the Living Dead”, and “Rosemary’s Baby” – despite their bleak conclusions – are considered classics today. Moreover, you’ll find that many of these films belong to the horror genre, which has traditionally been unsparing in its portrayal of reality.
In summary, Hollywood offers a variety of films to suit everyone’s taste. Whether you’re drawn more towards the original Danish version of Speak No Evil or prefer the American adaptation, it’s all good. Ultimately, what matters is that we all continue enjoying movies.
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2024-09-20 18:31