Film recommendation

[Chloe]

Hello all!

Our English teacher suggested us to watch a film in an undubbed version on one of the last lesson in this semester. I would like to see a good, sophisticated ( anspruchsvoll) one. I was thinking about the film "An education". I've never seen it, but I heard a lot good comments. Has anybody seen it? What do you think about it? Wich movie could you recommend?

Thank's a lot!

With best wishes,

Chloe

[Delfino]

I've seen "An Education" (2009) quite some time ago. I think, it was a nice movie.


Movies that can leave a lasting impression:

- Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
- The Education of Charlie Banks (2007)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Finding Forrester (2000)
- Take the Lead (2006)
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Scent of a Woman (1992)

- Requiem for a Dream (2000)
- Juno (2007)
- American Beauty (1999)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

- Inhale (2010)
- Repo Men (2010)
- Gattaca (1997)

- The Joneses (2009)
- The Company Men (2011)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)

- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- I am Sam (2001)
- Rain Man (1988)

- Stand by Me (1986)
- Gran Torino (2008)
- Nothing but the Truth (2008)
- Fair Game (2010)
- Philadelphia (1993)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- La Haine (1995)
- American History X (1998)

- The Wave (2008) / Die Welle (2008)

- Schindler's List (1993)
- The Pianist (2002)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- 9 (2009)
- WALL·E (2008)


You've probably seen some before but try them in English now...

[Keswick]

Repo Men? Now that's a film that I did not expect to be part of the list .

How about The King's Speech or Black Swan. I have watched both films a while ago and rather enjoyed them.

[Delfino]

I think Repo Men is an interesting movie. When you take a closer look you'll find a lot social criticism. To avoid spoilers I am not going into any details here.

Yes, "The King's Speech" is good too, but the topic is not unique. There are a few movies describing a friendship of people with different background etc.

Black Swan is a visualy impressive film but I am not sure about the story. (raised issues / message?...)

[Keswick]

Yes but Delfino, what you shouldn't forget is that the original task was to watch an undubbed English film. It is Chloe's own wish to watch a sophisticated film, but at the end of the day does it really matter whether the story is unique or whether there is a deeper meaning to the film? Films were originally meant to entertain and I don't think there's anything wrong with picking a sophisticated film just for the sake of entertainment, even if the film does not carry a message or raises an issue. Yes, the King's Speech might not be unique, but it is brilliant acting with high standard English. And I think the language standard in a film like King's Speech will probably be a lot easier to understand than in the likes of Repo Men, Scent of a Woman or This is England for that matter.

I do fully understand where you're coming from Delfino, however, when it comes to films, especially if they're only watched for the sake of sampling the English language, different dialects etc. you can get away with not paying attention to meanings, issues and everyday affairs.

[Delfino]

I enjoy watching all English and German movies without subtitles.

But most students are not used to it. Therefore, I agree,
it is important for them to choose a film with high standard (British) English.

Most mainstream movies are created for the American audience.
So they are using American English and various degrees of slang.

Did you see "An education"?
I cannot remember what the language was like...

[Chloe]

Delfino and Keswick, thank you for your tips! We haven't chosen any film yet, but I will let you know about it. I have seen some good films in the last weeks. I enjoyed the films "Good Will Hunting", "The Bridges of Madison County", "My Life Without Me". Have you seen them?

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[Delfino]

"Good Will Hunting" is in my list of movies posted above. So I've seen this film, but I don't know the other two.

[Keswick]

Actually, I have seen An Education (I'm a big Nick Hornby fan) and although I preferred the book, I liked the film. The language is easy to understand as well, so yes, I can recommend it .

[Chloe]

Thank you, Keswick! I will definitely see it at school or at home. Have you seen "The Commitments"? I like this movie so much!!! I've never read Nick Hornby, but I've seen the the movie "About a boy". I hardly remember it. It might be better to read a book.

[Keswick]

Why aye, "The Commitments" is a good film. I have seen it a couple of times, I especially like the music. Isn't it amazing that the singer Andrew Strong was only 18 years old when he made the film? That's what I call a voice!

[Vesperus777]

The Fifth Element.

Maybe it's not sophisticated but it's fun and very simple in it's use of English.

What I really meant to say is; there is no sophisticated American movie.

[Keswick]

The Fifth Element.

Maybe it's not sophisticated but it's fun and very simple in its use of English.

What I really meant to say is; there is no sophisticated American movie.

What makes you say so Vesperus? Doesn't this really depend on your own definition of "sophisticated" ?