Clip It: Each day, Jon Davis looks at the world of trailers, featurettes and clips and puts it all in perspective.
This is the saddest thing I've ever seen. The Sea of Trees appears to be about Naomi Watts diagnosed with terminal cancer and her “intellectual “husband Matthew McConaughey (remember when this would have been considered a stretch?), who gets so depressed about it that he tries to kill himself in a forest. Man oh man. I don't know, guys. Is it just me or does this seem like a super unhappy situation? How am I going to see this without bawling my eyes out? Also, I like to eat concessions during movies and I don't want to feel bad about chomping on an orange Sour Patch Kid while these sexy people are dealing with such heavy stuff.
Who is this movie for? People who like to be sad? People who have had an amazing day and they want to get taken down a peg? I know that movies aren't just for fun, they make us feel. But in this case, it make us feel terrible. I already feel terrible watching the news. Now I have to empathize with morose, fictional characters?
Director Gus Van Sant's specialty is tearing audience's up. Yes, I'm looking at you, Robin Williams' “It's not your fault!” scene in Good Will Hunting! Let's be honest with each other. I don't want to see this. I can't handle it. I'm too weak. I swore after Marley & Me, I'd never let a movie make me cry again. When that dog died, I was so devastated I had to be hosed off afterwards. A person can only handle so much, you know. Will you see it and tell me how it is?