Open Forum Friday: What Does “Based On A True Story” Really Mean?
As I was scanning this week’s new theatrical releases, I got to thinking about this new Mark Wahlberg movie Invincible, and the all too common “Based On A True Story” qualifier that so many movies have nowadays. I have no idea exactly how accurate the movie is (probably not very), but I have to admit that just knowing that this movie was based on a real person makes me more interested to see it. Give me a cliched sports underdog movie that was fabricated by a Hollywood screenwriter and I’ll probably pass. But a cliched sports underdog movie that actually happened? Now my curiosity is piqued.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I don’t always go to movies for escapism and fantasy. Quite often I like to gain insight into the world around us, and a greater appreciation for the whole “human condition” as it were. When a movie has strong ties to reality, whether it be a documentary or just inspired by real events, I feel like there is something we can learn from it and a powerful story to be told. There’s an automatic connection with the characters if we believe that they really exist.
The problem is that sometimes this “Based On A True Story” stuff is just an illusion. Hollywood has a way of taking reality and twisting it to their own ends. A lot of people were understandably suspicious of the 9/11 movies that came out this year. Did this cause them to miss out on some amazing movies? I would say yes, absolutely. In a lot of ways, a movie that is based on a true story can actually be a bigger challenge than a fictional one. In the movie Apollo 13, many people criticized the scene where one of the astronaut’s wives loses her wedding ring down the bathtub drain because it seemed contrived. What they didn’t realize is that it wasn’t made up.
So I guess my question is, what does “Based On A True Story” mean to you? Does it draw you to the film? Does it make you more critical of its plausibility? Is it wrong to exploit real-life drama for the purposes of entertainment? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.
Comments (8)
To be honest, I don’t usually pay too much attention to the “Based on a true sotry”. Occasionally it peaks my interest but usually just with stories that I would never have thought could actually be true but it’s never the basis on whether I see a movie or not. I don’t like trying to figure out what actually happened and what has been added by Hollywood. Something like the ring in Apollo 13 is a great example. For me, if I want to know what really happen, I’ll read about it or watch a documentary. But even with docs you have to be weary because nothing is ever completely bias free so there’s always a chance you’re missing half of the story. But then, it’s like that with everything.
I say just enjoy it for what it is and if I’m really interested in the story or the subject, I’ll dig deeper.
Posted by themarina on August 25th, 2006I think the problem with reality is that it is unbelieveable.
Just recently you mentioned “World Trade Center” and how one of the characters seemed ridiculous and stereotypical. That’s alot of the time a problem with real life people. Alot of times things will have to be changed and toned down for people to accept them. In Braveheart for example, William Wallace was according to history shot in the neck and lived, which in the movie was changed to his chest which people still thought was pushing it.
The scene from Apollo 13 is a very, very good example.
Other than that, I don’t see a problem. If people are dumb enough to accept movies as truth because of a title card like “Based on a true story” I don’t have a problem with it. I think people are smart enough to figure it out though.
Posted by Henrik on August 25th, 2006the cliched underdog sports story has been done before, accurately – “The Rookie”
I have no interest in seeing it. inspirational football story, not my cup of tea. the trailer was boring and basically told the whole thing. I doubt the spaces in between would be any more captivating.
Posted by Goon on August 25th, 2006“Based” really means “Inspired”. Big difference between that and what really happened.
Posted by Bassmasta-Baychuk on August 25th, 2006My favorite is “Hostel”, which was true in so far as director Eli Roth saw a website that he took inspiration from. It doesn’t bother me though; it’s just artistic expression, and usually gets me to do some research on my own in my spare time. I’d agree with Bassmasta in that I tend to assume everything is ‘inspired by’ – even when labelled ‘based on’
Posted by Dave on August 25th, 2006I only have a problem with that qualifier if it is used for purposes of propaganda, beyond selling the movie. I think some documentaries are more in the BoaTS (heh how about that they are all over the place lately) category than being an honest (usually dry, seemingly contrived) record of events.
Posted by ToliverChap on August 25th, 2006My personal opinion is you cant always believe what you see…..just because they say ‘based on a true story’ does;nt mean they dont stretch the truth.
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