Looking through the lists of movies that was collaborated as a class, I found that thinking was often represented through means of popularity. In several of the films I chose there was always an underdog who worked their way up the social ladder of overcame obstacles in order to be a part of the elite "popular" group. In the end, they must deal with both the positive and negative aspects of their new title. I find it interesting that in each film it is always a struggle to be, and stay, popular. And that it is always individuals of the lowest social rank that aspires to be popular. It almost seems as if their perspective of the popular group is the most distorted because they are the farthest from it. How ever inspiring and motivational it may be, to work your way to the top, I feel that in many of these movies the ulterior motives are for the wrong reasons. Many take on the struggle to gain popularity in order to feel accepted, or even boost their self esteem. I find that this scenario is very prevalent in many movies, and has become very predictable.
I definitely agree. I think that the majority of the main characters in many movies are presented as the underdog. They put the popular people on such a high pedestal that almost seems impossible to reach. They have to go on an epic journey and once they get on the pedestal with all the popular people they wanted to be they often regret it.
ReplyDeleteIt is something that is seen in movies but it also reflects something in life. Most people, even those one would consider popular, see themselves in some way as the underdog. Through this they get the sense that their striving something which has meaning. However, I've had an interesting experience in high school where the boundaries between the popular group and the other social groups were almost non-existent. People didn't care about their status and, therefore, I was able to get to know a lot of people even though I would technically be seen as a geek. Those were the best four years of my life because of this.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about that too; how popularity and becoming popular is a big focus o the underdogs in movies. I like when you said: "It almost seems as if their perspective of the popular group is the most distorted because they are the farthest from it." This makes a lot of sense and I agree with you on that.
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