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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Everything goes on too long

78 replies

Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:23

Is it just me that thinks that given how busy everybody's life is that things should be shortened.

Recent examples. I saw a film recently and there were 25 minutes of ads/trailers and then the film was 2 hours 20. It could have been 10 minutes of ads and 1 hour 45 easily.

I went to a theatre show a few weeks ago and it was 2 hours 20 mins and a 20 minute interval. It could have been less than two hours.

I attended a webinar this week that was ok but could have been much shorter.

There's probably loads of other examples but I don't know if I'm just being a grump. Aibu?

OP posts:
Beserkering · 07/12/2025 21:25

I’m not sure we should pander to the abject attention span most people have these days.

And films used to be much longer - see Ben Hur - or there were multiple films on the same bill.

Checknotmymate · 07/12/2025 21:27

Was the film wicked?

Every film I've watched recently I sit through thinking "I could have cut that scene by 2 mins".

Outlook calendar having default hour slots doesn't help at work. I know you can change this but when it's the norm at work you end up with hour long meetings that should have been 20 mins.

Checknotmymate · 07/12/2025 21:27

Beserkering · 07/12/2025 21:25

I’m not sure we should pander to the abject attention span most people have these days.

And films used to be much longer - see Ben Hur - or there were multiple films on the same bill.

But they had intermissions

Original poster
Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:27

Beserkering · 07/12/2025 21:25

I’m not sure we should pander to the abject attention span most people have these days.

And films used to be much longer - see Ben Hur - or there were multiple films on the same bill.

Is it pandering though or is it just that people are busy? I have a pretty good attention span. What I don't have a lot of is time.

OP posts:
flapjackfairy · 07/12/2025 21:28

well that world cup draw certainly went on too long !

ohyesido · 07/12/2025 21:28

Don’t go to see Kill Bill The Whole Bloody Affair. That carries on for a while

Runningismyhappyplace50 · 07/12/2025 21:31

I agree with you OP but I’m not sure it’s a good thing.

I almost don’t enjoy things as I am just ticking them off and wondering why they have to be so long; everything is a rush.

GarlicBreadStan · 07/12/2025 21:32

ohyesido · 07/12/2025 21:28

Don’t go to see Kill Bill The Whole Bloody Affair. That carries on for a while

Isn't it like, 4 hours long? I generally can't stand long films, especially at the cinema, but I honestly might try overcoming that just for this film(s).

Vaguelyclassical · 07/12/2025 21:32

Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:27

Is it pandering though or is it just that people are busy? I have a pretty good attention span. What I don't have a lot of is time.

Show quote history

Bye-bye Hamlet!
Actually, Tom Stoppard (RIP) wrote a brilliant 15 minute Hamlet.

ThankYouNigel · 07/12/2025 21:33

YABU in the sense that the secret to a happy life is learning how to be less busy.

Original poster
Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:35

ThankYouNigel · 07/12/2025 21:33

YABU in the sense that the secret to a happy life is learning how to be less busy.

So surely that makes me right? I'd be less busy if things took less time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:36

Vaguelyclassical · 07/12/2025 21:32

Bye-bye Hamlet!
Actually, Tom Stoppard (RIP) wrote a brilliant 15 minute Hamlet.

Show quote history

Can't stand Shakespeare 🤣

OP posts:
Bimblebombles · 07/12/2025 21:39

I think they should ditch the trailers in kids films. Kids do not need to be bombarded with 25 minutes of bright, flashing, loud, bam-bam-bam trailers for new and shiny things before the main event. It wears out their brains before they've even started the thing they are there to enjoy! My DD gets so overwhelmed at the cinema. I've started waiting outside in the corridor and only going in when the film is about to start because I just feel its all too much these days. Everything trying to be bigger and bolder and louder than the last thing. Our attention spans are overloaded.

ohyesido · 07/12/2025 21:44

GarlicBreadStan · 07/12/2025 21:32

Isn't it like, 4 hours long? I generally can't stand long films, especially at the cinema, but I honestly might try overcoming that just for this film(s).

Show quote history

It is totally worth it, it’s just over 4 hours but there is lots of previously unseen footage. Sit through the credits also, there’s a nice little Easter Egg

ThankYouNigel · 07/12/2025 21:44

Soduku1234 · 07/12/2025 21:35

So surely that makes me right? I'd be less busy if things took less time.

Show quote history

No, that just reduces the quality. Instead of rushing through multiple shorter things, fill a day with less but really absorb the experience and quality of a longer experience.

EmeraldRoulette · 07/12/2025 21:46

@Soduku1234 if you don't want to actually see the film, just read the synopsis online

You can't compare a film and a work meeting. No one is forcing you to go and see the film or the show!

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2025 21:47

Checknotmymate · 07/12/2025 21:27

But they had intermissions

Show quote history

Yes. Most films were not the length of Ben Hur or The Sound of Music.

We used to have a B film, some ads and then the feature film.

FestiveFruitloop · 07/12/2025 21:49

Beserkering · 07/12/2025 21:25

I’m not sure we should pander to the abject attention span most people have these days.

And films used to be much longer - see Ben Hur - or there were multiple films on the same bill.

There were intervals back then, though...

dragonballet · 07/12/2025 21:52

Checknotmymate · 07/12/2025 21:27

Was the film wicked?

Every film I've watched recently I sit through thinking "I could have cut that scene by 2 mins".

Outlook calendar having default hour slots doesn't help at work. I know you can change this but when it's the norm at work you end up with hour long meetings that should have been 20 mins.

This is one thing I like about my workplace - even if someone has booked the whole hour as a precaution to make sure we don't get kicked out of the meeting room, if we are finished in 20 minutes then we finish the meeting and resume our days.

Checknotmymate · 07/12/2025 21:54

I actually don't mind an amazing epic film being long. I'd sit through all three lotr films back to back (with some wee breaks!) but it's the shit films that have just not been edited that are the issue.

Case in point. Happy Gilmore 1 is about 1hr 30 (1996) Happy Gilmore 2 is nearly 2 hours (2025) They're both shit. The whole point is that they are easy nonsense that's a bit silly. 1hr. 30 was fine.

dragonballet · 07/12/2025 21:55

I went to a theatre show a few weeks ago and it was 2 hours 20 mins and a 20 minute interval. It could have been less than two hours.

That makes it an hour for each act though which is pretty standard. They need the interval to ensure the production turns a profit. Unless it was a rubbish production, I'd be happy with that running time. Or do you mean it was 2 hours 40 including the interval?

Namenamchange · 07/12/2025 21:57

I think you’re right, I don’t mind things being long If they are good quality, but if it’s just filler in the middle, shorter would be better.

Gunz · 07/12/2025 21:57

Don't go and see Avatar 3 - that appears to be 3 hours 20 minutes. There will be a few needing toilet breaks in that one! We are seeing it Boxing day - kinda think its going to be a marathon!

Peridoteage · 07/12/2025 21:59

I’m not sure we should pander to the abject attention span most people have these days

This

Starandflowers · 07/12/2025 22:04

I thought it was well know that you don’t go to the cinema for the time stated because there is always about 20 mins of stuff before the film starts.

But to be honest I don’t think my life is so busy that I get annoyed by a slightly longer film or theatre show. Both of those are things I enjoy doing so wouldn’t want them to feel rushed or that I am short changed

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