Am I dumb for not getting themes in movies?

People are good at different things and being able to tell what you are bad at is a sign of intelligence. You are probably better at seeing themes and deeper meanings than a person who has never thought about it at all and doesn't even know they are there.

Think that everytime you see an insightful take about a movie, you are seeing the 5-10% that have an insightful take, and not the 90% that didn't comment because they don't have anything to say. And it's not like that 10% always have a insightful take, because sometimes it's them, sometimes it's others. There were times were you had an insightful take and others have thought: wow why can't I analyze media like that.

https://preview.redd.it/dq5z2eqxjhsg1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c002282c2016a28ec8f4d91bd02e875dc17c388c Don’t let people make you feel like there is a “correct” and “incorrect” way to watch movies. Watch them however makes you happiest.

When i watch a movie for the first time, i just let the experience happen. If i watch it again I'll do more analysis

Some themes can't land for someone without corresponding life experience. Sometimes the themes can change for people over time. Perception changes over time.

Don’t worry about it. The value of themes in any creative work is completely subjective. If you don’t “get” the same thing other’s do, dice into what you did get.

Themes and such

nah same here i just watch explosions and forget to think

What kind of movies are we talking about? You can get different things from different movies based on a lot of factors. You already mentioned mood but even stuff like age/life experience factors in. Heck, you can even catch stuff you missed on later watches as well. Like any art, movies can be up to interpretation. I think the only way you can go wrong is it you draw the completely wrong conclusion based on filmmakers intent (usually explicitly stated through interviews/press junkets)

I think that's cool you have unique perspectives of art, and are able to objectively compare them with other people's perspectives! Something similar that comes to mind is how differently folks appreciate lyrics in a song. Often I have no idea what words are being said, I mostly care about the sounds bring made by the vocals like just another instrument, and how those sounds make me feel.

I have 1,191 movies rated on IMDB. Now I can safely say theat less than 10% of those carry "symbolism". Now your and my definitions of a symbolism might be different. If I take my top movies like Good Bad Ugly, Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Amelie, City of God, DeerHunter, Goodfellas. Some have some symbolism but I dont think its an important element of the movie for me to enjoy. If we are talking movies like Fight Club, American History X, V For Vendeta, American Beauty, Donne Darko, Virgin Suicide. I agree that those have more things to say off screen maybe, which we as the viewers might look for "symbolism" to really enjoy. My friend said he loves Robert Redford movies because its just whats on screen - enjoy the scenery. Thats why many RR movie are slow and are about whats on screen rather than symbols. Do I agree with that statement, I dont know.

Sometimes it helps to discuss movies with other people. Talking to others with different perspectives and opinions while discussing your own can help see the movie's themes. Also, I suspect a lot of people don't get the themes on their first viewing because we are following the story and characters. But on later viewings, after we know the story, we can pay attention to other details and understand the themes of the movies. Edit: grammar

No. Not at all. Most people watch movies to be moved or entertained. Themes and symbology are secondary, and while they can add to one's enjoyment, they certainly don't KEEP one from enjoying a film.

no. you have opinions.

I almost never think about symbolism in a movie and if I do, it's because it was done poorly. You shouldn't try to get it unless you have to write a paper on it later for class. Otherwise just enjoy.

Usually it comes down to cultural literacy. For example, Jesus Christ iconography is often used in chosen one and superhero movies, such as The Matrix Revolutions. When I first started watching films, I didn't get a lot of this stuff, either. But it can be learned. The more stuff you watch, the more you absorb. You're not born with cultural literacy, you have to build it up by watching and reading a lot.

I often have these WTF? moments after watching a movie that is symbolic or thematic. In those cases I enjoy reading "Ending Explained" or straight up asking one of the LLMs for an interpretation of the movies themes. I don't think it's something to be ashamed of because whenever I do this, its like this lightbulb moment and after that it snowballs many ideas of my own how to interpret the movie.

No one single person can analyse and comprehend the thematic nature of not only all movies, but life in general. Nobody is a fountain of context dependant knowledge where they can elaborate on the symbolism of all things. When you're a kid you understand certain concepts and themes better, when you're a young adult your understandings change, and as you move into adulthood you begin to perceive things differently. Don't beat yourself up just because you didn't understand something before you did further research on it, that's how we learn.

I suck at getting themes in movies.  For me, the story in a movie has to stand in its own first and foremost.  If stupid and inexplicable things are happening that only make sense if you are familiar with some other work that the movie is referencing, then to me the movie has failed in its primary purpose.  

yeah that checks out fair point honestly youre not wrong thats the move right there makes sense to me sounds about right couldnt have said it better big if true a classic strategy thats just how it is you love to see it this is the way it really be like that sometimes a tale as old as time what a profound discovery the council has spoken weve all been there the only correct take you get it that tracks

You shouldn't say you are dumb. But maybe you didn't spend many skill points into relativistic thinking in the pre-existance. It's ok. I suck at math.

No, not really.

My wife used to have a co-worker who was previously an English teacher and prided herself on her ability to identify themes in movies. She once said the theme of a movie was ‘water’

Personally, I only watch movies...I do not watch tv shows.. I like westerns, action, drama, classics, international / foreign.. ..and you eventually learn about directors and their craftv as well as international actors and directors. TV shows take too much time, and force me to meet &: remember, like or dislike an established set of players for a longer duration of 2-3 hours. I seek THE END at the end of the story. 😎

In my opinion, media analysis is like a muscle you have to train. Back in the day, you’d have literature class at school and then you’d read lyrics in CD booklets and vinyl jackets, and generally just kind of read for fun. Even reading comic books would keep you engaged in literary themes and even how to parse visual mediums. I think a lot of this stuff has changed and now you have to be much more active. If you’re really interested in getting more “media literate”, my advice is: cheat. Find some good media analysis channels on YouTube. Not just reviews where they recap the story, but channels that break down the themes and characters. I don’t know if it’s still around, but there was a channel called Thug Notes that I really liked for literature stuff.

It's super hard to find thematic analysis of movies or books or what have you. Tricia Arund is my go to for thematic analysis. Theme and character arc is usually interrelated, so think about what the main character changes their opinion on, and that's probably the theme. The other thing for theme is that the climactic scene of the movie is usually what the filmmaker is trying to say about the theme. So Sinners has a very powerful final message. The Cohen Brothers are also masters of theme, so No Country for Old Men is about the universe being amoral and nihilistic. Or Cloud Atlas is super clear in it's theme - rebellion against authority. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OsW4qt-G8U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OsW4qt-G8U)

Movies and music? Depends how vague the shit is but yeah kinda. I dunno I forgot how to do long division so who am I to say

I've got a degree in English literature. I spent years analysing media. Now? I just want to be entertained. Watch any film however you want. If something connects with you on a deeper level, great. I'd it doesn't, so what l? Did you still enjoy the film? If so, what's the problem?

I too never get themes and such. I just want to be entertained i dont care about anything else

No you're not dumb. On the first viewing of a film most people are concerned with following the plot and characters. With multiple viewings you will see other things as your brain is not thinking about where the story is going. Also, some of it comes with education. For example, the themes in a political thriller may be hard to understand if you haven't got an education or a strong interest in politics. Other parts of film appreciation come with age and experience. When you have been through your own trials and tribulations you will have a different perspective on certain films than you did when you were younger.

That's why I love talking about a movie right after I've seen it. My first impressions are always more literal: the performances, the score, the action, etc. But when you hear what other people have to say about it, you start realizing the deeper aspects of the movie that really sticks with people. Other people will interpret a line of dialogue differently, or connect dots that you hadn't noticed.

Some movies are easier to understand and interpret than others. It's normal to find one film confusing and another really obvious in the way the themes are conveyed. It's usually down to creative choices - some filmmakers just have a less accessible style. Having said that, you can practice film analysis to help make it easier to figure out deeper themes, like in high school English class. Plot, character, mood and emotion, then the layers, like use of music, colour, motifs, different camera angles... All of these things inform how we are supposed to perceive the characters and the values and ideas the filmmaker is communicating to us. When you talk about not understanding symbolism, do you mean literally? Like, making up an example here, "why does that bird keep appearing, what does it mean"?

You could watch video break downs of movie themes to help you notice and understand how they correlate and improve you ability to notice them in future films. Regarding your emotional state when recognizing themes in films, be aware that our mind and body are influenced by what we see, when we play watch action films COD for example it can hype the brain into almost thinking you are in a war zone, it's like the pump people get after watching a Kung-Fu or Rocky film. But similarly, when you are really depressed you may do better watching a drama or at least be open to appreciating it more and or syncing your emotions to what your senses are experiencing. It can be productive for some and destructive for others and ineffectual for the rest. For me especially with music I like to dive into current emotions with similar music and you find you can relate better, it's the same with films I guess.

I don’t think deeply about movies, so don’t feel bad about not catching themes.

It takes practice and the difficulty is what makes it fun and interesting. I’m especially bad at finding the hidden meanings and symbolism but when I do it’s awesome. I often watch a YouTube ending explained video where I catch things I didn’t see when I just watched the movie. Go easy on yourself and enjoy these things that are supposed be enjoyed!

No, it just means you’re more logical than anything, which means you’re too intelligent for some movies because you want to see the artists intention behind it. It’s a Listnook thing and I’m the same way. Sometimes the merits of combining art and a high IQ get us lost in the weeds at consumption.

I always just take the movie at face value my first viewing and will maybe look up discussions if I need some explaining. I feel like people looking at for deeper meaning in every movie disappoint themselves when it's just supposed to be a dumb, fun movie.

Tbh most people are like this. The majority of movie watchers only take it at face value and nothing more.

If the theme is obvious and in your face, the filmmakers fucked up. Watch a movie, and enjoy the experience. Then later on when you are thinking about it you can start to see the themes and messages.

Why are these curtains Blue? Do they represent the mood in the room every time a scene is in there or are they just f****** blue because they looked good. I also like, if you hear hooves it's most likely a Horse and not a Zebra. I tends not to dwell on the "DEEPER MEANING" sometimes the curtains are just f****** blue or they did something because it looked cool

For one, movies made in 21st century are not as good as those prior; there’s less subtlety and more tell over show in comparison to old movies. I’m a big movie buff and a movie made in the 50s has so much more depth and meaning than the filth made today so that could be impacting your perception. Now if you feel that way about old movies I would suggest you read more because writing does the best job of conveying ideas and themes than movies do because the story is being filtered through the directors perspective. Another recommendation on the film front is to watch film essays. I love watching them on my favorite films because they unravel what the writer, director, and editor are trying to convey to the viewer with analysis on the subject. That may help you build the analytical muscle you need when watching a thought provoking film.

Artists pull from classic symbolism, metaphor, and themes, so anything in movies now is always a reference to those past classic ones. Here are some examples, character goes in and out of water/liquid. Symbolic of rebirth or renewal. Why? Baptism with water, cleansing oneself, human birthing process. Bridges or character going over bridge. Symbolic of connections, leaving one thing and going to another. Colors that characters wear can be symbolic or ironically symbolic. Bad guy wearing black or bad guy wearing white to symbolize deceit or being two-faced. You may want to read about classic symbolism or foundational literature like the Bible and Greek mythology to understand the allusions being made as most come from those early stories.

Theme is a construction of literary criticism and not a thing inherent to a work. It can certainly help you make good works by studying other works comparatively. It can aid understanding and appreciation of a work. But you can also just enjoy the work and leave all the academics aside. There is no right way to experience art.

nah same here i just watch for explosions and forget the rest