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Zen and the Art of the Silver Screen

posted 11 years ago by jmbwithcats
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Zen and the Art of the Silver Screen

There's a very Zen thing about this movie, "Bringing up Baby", with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, where David played by Cary Grant is constantly perceived by everyone as something he's not, he's called all kinds of names and every time he just accepts it, it reminds me of the zen story of the girl who accused a zen master of being the father of her child so she would not get into trouble, so he says, is that so? and takes care of the child raising it, then one day she comes back and says he's not the father and takes the baby back, and he responds, is that so? and goes on with his life...

Bringing Up Baby

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[–] ppllkk 11 years ago

Kittysafe wrote:

There's a very Zen thing about this movie, "Bringing up Baby",

I think of David as being in a fairly constant state of frustration and exasperation punctuated by episodes of giving up. I do not see anything "Zen" about it unless you are referring to its paradoxical absurdity.

David played by Cary Grant is constantly perceived by everyone as something he's not, he's called all kinds of names and every time he just accepts it

Can you give examples because I do not know what you're talking about. I don't think of David as "just accepting" anything. At points, he gives up, but that is not the calm acceptance of a Zen master.

In terms of your story, when Susan drives off with his car, David does not say, "Is that your car?" and accept it.

[–] jmbwithcats 11 years ago

I completely agree with you, I think the point that reminded me the most was after being called all these silly names through the movie, and people thinking of him as all these other people, like Bone, right near the end a little girl I believe calls him something else and he just stops fighting it.

I agree with your assessment, but it reminded me of the zen story so I wanted to share it.

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[–] ppllkk 11 years ago

Kittysafe

I completely agree with you

I am glad to hear that, but I find it strange since I completely disagree with your post.

I think the point that reminded me the most was after being called all these silly names through the movie, and people thinking of him as all these other people, like Bone,

Once again, can you give examples of "all these silly names" and "all these other people." Examples other than the introduction to Susan's aunt and her friend.

a little girl I believe calls him something else and he just stops fighting it.

Your idea of Zen detachment is giving up in frustration? You are comparing the Zen masters acceptance of the world with David's momentarily not fighting it? We have rather different ideas about Zen Buddhism. (I do not remember a little girl.)

I agree with your assessment, but it reminded me of the zen story so I wanted to share it.

You wanted to share a story that has no relevance to the movie in question because somehow the movie reminded you of the story?

[–] jmbwithcats 11 years ago

Here is what we see, me sharing a story, and how the movie reminded me of it, you nitpicking it to death, me being easy going and you once again nitpicking it to death... seriously? We both love this classic movie, relax.

Your experience is yours mine is mine, if it doesn't make sense to you, MOVE ON...

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[–] ppllkk 11 years ago

Kittysafe wrote:

Your experience is yours mine is mine, if it doesn't make sense to you, MOVE ON...

There is a generational difference. You are expressing your opinion, and it is important, not because it makes sense, but because it is your opinion.

When posters make an assertion, as opposed to a "feeling," I expect them to believe what they are saying is correct and to be willing to defend it.

The disagreement seems to be that I took your "feeling" as saying something objective about the film.

My wife points out that your completely agreeing with me when I was completely disagreeing with you is a very Zen response.

[–] jmbwithcats 11 years ago

Thank you for that, I tip my hat to you and your wife.

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