I've just seen The Purple Rose of Cairo (and quite liked it) in close proximity to the viewing of The Truman Show and was struck by their similarities. And I thought it might be interesting to catalog films where characters are forced to choose between a fantasy(unreal, but usually perfect) world and the real world, what their decision is and what the outcome is.

Here's what came to mind: (if you see a film listed you haven't seen, look away quickly there's probably - SPOILAGE nearby)


Film --- Decision --- Outcome
The Purple Rose of Cairo --- Reality --- Negative
The Truman Show --- Reality --- Unknown
Pleasantville --- Boy: Reality Girl:Fantasy --- Unknown
Vanilla Sky --- Reality --- Implied negative
Matrix---Neo:Reality Cyber: Fantasy--- Neo: Well... Cyber: Murdered
That's all I've got for now.

QUOTE

Film --- Decision ---          Outcome         Pleasantville          ---   Boy: Reality Girl:Fantasy ---  Unknown Vanilla Sky ---      Reality ---  Implied negative

I don't know. Pleasantville I think has shown growth in both characters and implies a positive result. Vanilla Sky I would see as an unknown. And sense the fantasy world is breaking down, it is the choice that has the better chance at success.

DanBuck wrote
: I've just seen The Purple Rose of Cairo (and quite liked it) . . .

Yay! As you know, this is my second favorite movie of all time.

: Film --- Decision --- Outcome
: The Purple Rose of Cairo --- Reality --- Negative

You think so? As I recall, someone once asked Woody Allen why he didn't give the film a happy ending, and he replied, "That WAS the happy ending." Study Mia Farrow's face more closely in that last scene, the next time you see the film -- it's open to a number of readings.

Didn't EdTV play with some of the reality/unreality things that TRUMAN SHOW was on about (though not exactly reality/fantasy)? eXistenZ riffed on the real / virtual thing that MATRIX also tackled. I didn't see ED or EX, but remember that when they came out it seemed there was something in the 1998/99 zeitgeist being worked out in all these films.

Would BIG STORY fit your parameters?

And then there are all those great Ingmar Bergman flicks....

Ron wrote:
: Didn't EdTV play with some of the reality/unreality things that TRUMAN
: SHOW was on about (though not exactly reality/fantasy)?

I wouldn't say edTV was in the same category, exactly. (BTW, it was a remake of the Canadian film Louis 19 -- see my review here.)

: eXistenZ riffed on the real / virtual thing that MATRIX also tackled.

FWIW, there is an amusing essay in The Matrix and Philosophy on how The Matrix represents the male fear of being penetrated, whereas eXistenZ overcomes that fear -- or something like that.

MAybe its just in my head cos I watched it again last night, but what about Waking Life? Ultimately reality is seen as positive (even tho the film has various opinions on what reality actually is.

Matt

Peter,

I did remember that Purple Rose was one of your favorites, check out my comments in my film journal.


Ron,
I think EdTV is a close match. I'd have to see Waking Life again, but of course, I'd have to stay awake this time.


What about: Eternal Sunshine- Don't answer this until after opening weekend if you know, and along the same lines, The Butterfly Effect, and Total Recall.

Hmm...

Thirteenth Floor---Reality altered by fantasy???---Positive


I wonder about The Wizard of Oz...what if Dorothy had refused to do the 'There's no place like home' bit?

Thiteenth Floor- good one, interesting addition to the catalogue.

Wiz of Oz - I think there's lots of fantasy movies where there could have been a debate about going back, but unless its actually there, I'm keeping it off the list. (As though there's really a list) Although, in light of Spotless Mind's release, it might make an interesting feature article.

I don't remember much about Dark City, except that I liked much less than other people around here. But I remember the movie ended with blue skies on a planet that shouldn't have had them, and there was some question as to whether the finish was real or not. Anybody remember more?

Interesting...

Does Max Klein, the protagonist in Weir's Fearless, make this choice? Granted, the 'fantasy' realm he lives in is somewhat close to what we would perceive as 'reality'--and may or may not be induced by post traumatic stress disorder; still, there is a supernatural quality (his immunity to his allergies, his seeming inability to die) that he brings to an end with his entreaty to his wife 'I want you to save me' and the chomp on the forbidden starwberry...


If so:

Fearless---Reality---Positive.

---------------------

Another of my faves:

Brazil---Fantasy---Positive (Because, well, he has no real choice...torture and all that)

DanBuck wrote:
: I don't remember much about Dark City, except that I liked much less
: than other people around here. But I remember the movie ended with
: blue skies on a planet that shouldn't have had them, and there was some
: question as to whether the finish was real or not. Anybody remember more?

I considered mentioning Dark City here, but decided against it, since the entire movie is nothing but non-reality, pretty much -- the only "real" thing in the entire film is the human spirit, but everything else, from people's memories to the blue skies, is fake.

Would Galaxy Quest fit in here? I suppose that the actors' opting to fulfill their fantasy roles would see the choice for fantasy as positive.

Fight Club: There is a definite choice between reality and an alternate reality created from a fantastical thought life. Here the main character has to come to terms with what he has created and then choose between which life he will live.