read
English not being my native language, I sometimes switch on subtitles to help with understanding. I have been known to use them for Will & Grace (hardly ever been exposed to American Jewish culture), the Sopranos (not particularly familiar with New Jersey mafia) and - early on when I moved to the UK - Eastenders ('ere guv, can't understand nuffink, cor blimey, innit?).
My flatmate came home last night with a very dodgy DVD copy of Monster he got through someone at work and we sat down to watch it. The subtitles came on unsummoned and we had to turn them off a few minutes into the film. They had obviously been produced by a non-English speaker (one example: "I guess I'm just a great big manic [romantic], so I went into it hole heartly") and our giggles were not at all fit with the on-screen proceedings.
Absolutely no giggles were heard thereafter. Definite feeling of being punched in the stomach instead. And a faint disgust for all the Oscar-seeking actors out there (Catherine Zeta-Jones leading the pack) who are rumoured to have instructed their agents to find them a Charlize-Theron-in-Monster role.
Friday 10 September 2004 at 10:41 am
I remember that, when I saw the movie last spring, I came out from the cinema thinking it was too sad and hopeless.
every movie, even the saddest one, has some hope hidden inside.
this was just a tragedy.