"Whimsy"

[User09678]

Aibu to have a real aversion to the trend for "whimsy" in current films and TV series? I find it baffling, not funny, I can't suspend disbelief when I'm watching violent scenes interspersed with whatever this new thing is. It leaves me constantly having to shift mental gears to try and understand what's going on and is very unnatural. It might just me. Is it? Am I too old and grumpy now? I'm not sure how I'm meant to be taking it. I probably am being unreasonable. Maybe it always existed and I just notice it now.

Agree. And I really liked Black Doves. No idea if my example is even what OP is thinking of as she's given no examples so far.

We had the Wade figures in Christmas crackers (late 60's/early 70's).
My Dsis still has them.

I enjoyed Black Doves though it's tone meandered and many things didn't make sense - but it was cracked along and was fun to watch.

Love Wallace and Gromit - I like the Paddington films. Liked Pulp Fiction.

Didn't like The Forgotten King - where protagonist is constantly talking to an imaginary Richard III - I knew that going in but it wasn't as funny a film or as engaging as hoped. I couldn't finish The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.

So does sort of depend son what meant by Whimsy.

I’m also not entirely sure what OP means without further clarification. But humour set into horrible violence does seem to be more prevalent. It’s by no means new though… just think of all the humorous deaths in old James Bond films, and his witty, post-kill quips.

On Black Doves… well it was good fun, but stupidly unrealistic. The flippant comments “Sorry I killed your partner” “Well, you always were a twat, lol” (paraphrasing) sort of thing; and that we’re supposed to be rooting for hitmen/women and thinking they’re actually quite decent people deep down. Stupid.

@User09678 does anyone understand what this post is about????

No. No one does 😂

Humour interspersed and breaking up dark and tragic moments goes back to the Greeks

There's a fancy word for it. Like Pathos and Catharis but not those 🤣

does anyone understand what this post is about????

Beyond modern film/tv show often suck - not really.

I seen many critics be fed up with "Marvel effect" - the constant quips after some violent or emotional scene - though it predates Marvel films but is so overused by them - never seen it described as whimsy.

No, I've read all the comments and still haven't got a clue. I'd never even heard of the china figurines they're on about!

Placetne, magistra?

Death of Stalin has this type of feel to it. I didn't know it had a name. I don't watch enough movies to be irritated by it.

No, but I remember finding those little statues creepy as a child.

Same!

My first thought as well!

I know kind of what you mean OP
I think too much of any particular style and it becomes an irritating cliche which interferes with any enjoyment of the drama you are watching. Like knowing nods to the audience/breaking the fourth wall, can be amusing or tiresome

Is it called bathos?

Humour in very dark, horrible situations is nothing new. It’s know as Gallow’s Humour, or Black Comedy and it’s how some emergency service workers/people get through some of the most horrific days possible. Not talking about being disrespectful of others, but simply trying to chuckle rather than collapse in a heap at the sheer horror. It’s a coping mechanism.

Placet

I believe the first poster did!

I don’t think so. The first poster was confused and asked for examples.

The first poster literally said "I don't understand you"!

Like a Wes Anderson film?

See when I think whimsical I think more Big Fish, Amelie or Mary Poppins or Spirited away, for example, than quips mixed in with violence.

So do I, I’m beginning to think I misunderstood the thread. But I’m not sure if anyone understands what the OP is asking!

I loved the Ben Whishaw and the hitwomen plot strand (I think the Irish actress has a big future), but was less keen on Keira Knightley and her dead lover stuff. No one’s ever that invested in a man who’s dead before the opening credits.