Talking Pictures

Legendary Hollywood producer Irving Thalberg once said, “Novelty is always welcome but talking pictures are just a fad.”

Some may laugh at his prediction, but I think he was actually correct.

Though talking pictures obviously caught on, the importance of talking in pictures has been buried beneath special effects, rapid-fire editing, and head-splitting soundtracks.

And unfortunately, it seems something similar is happening in our daily lives.

Despite our ability to communicate faster, easier, and on a larger scale than ever before, I encounter very little “deep” conversation going on anywhere. Depth and significance have been replaced by speed and scope. And to make matters worse, I don’t think many people miss it. Perhaps they would, but they’re too busy tapping out instant messages laced with emoticons or gossiping on their mobile phones at 70 mph to notice its absence.

Some might wonder if we’re really missing out on much, as if the sheer volume and velocity of present day communication could somehow fill the void.

For them, I invite them to go to their local video store and pick up a few movies that might change their minds.

The first two I’ve mentioned here before:

13 Conversations About One Thing

and…

The Big Kahuna

Two of my all-time favorite films.

But I’ve just stumbled upon another “talking picture” that has taken its place beside them: Jerome Bixby’s The Man From Earth.

I won’t attempt to review the film here as I won’t be able to do it justice. Besides, if you’ll spend a few minutes poking around online you’ll find dozens of reviews that are far better than I could write here.

However, I will say that if you love talking pictures - as in movies that are centered around deep, interesting, meaningful conversations - odds are you’re going to love this one.

So in a sense Thalberg was right; talking pictures were just a fad. But thankfully, every so often, some brave souls come along and make one that shows us just how powerful “talking” can be - not only on film, but in our lives as well.

Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 02:41 PM

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