“What do you mean you haven’t watched insert movie that everyone and their mum has apparently watched, three times over, once in reverse?” is something I have heard one too many times — and I am sick of it.
I have spent an impressive amount of my life pretending I care about films I absolutely have not seen. Sure, I recognise quotes. Yes, I’ve seen the TikTok edits. But please, for the love of God, do not start talking to me about that random man who is seemingly in every movie ever.
If I am honest, it’s getting embarrassing. So, this year, I’ve decided to stop lying (or at least to lie a little less) by setting myself a moderately unhinged resolution: 50 films in 52 weeks. Speed-running film literacy, whilst trying really hard not to become a “film bro.”
The year has taken a promising start, conquering 10 films in January. An amateur number for many, I know — but believe me, my friends are impressed. This is the first confession; there will be more.
As I sat down to watch each of these movies, I reflected on their cultural impact and status, realising that my feeling of being “behind” was completely reliant upon inclusion. I realised just how many of these cultural references I had already absorbed through social media, and jokes from friends that went over my head long before I logged them on Letterboxd. By the time I was actually watching these movies, it certainly was never with a fresh set of eyes.
Some films landed immediately, despite me being late to the party. 27 Dresses, Uptown Girls, even Bottoms — cult classics I somehow missed — felt oddly familiar. Others haven’t survived the test of time, with Sex and the City 2 seeing me questioning the actions of Samantha Jones for the first time ever (don’t question me on this one, that’s my girl).
There were points where I questioned why I was investing time into this, but I think that is to be expected after watching People We Meet On Vacation and New Year’s Eve. Both made me want to rage quit, whether that be because of stupid male-centred female characters, or Lea Michele’s singing. Taking suggestions for better romcoms for February, please…
My penultimate three were: Marty Supreme (so well marketed they even managed to get me to see it); a re-watch of We Live In Time; and Paddington 2 (disappointing when compared to the first).
But the standout for January wasn’t a late discovery, nor an ironic hate-watch. It was Sentimental Value: a new release, my first solo cinema trip, and without pre-emptive opinions or algorithmic framing. For once, I wasn’t catching up.
One month passed. 10 films down, 40 to go. I’m still a cinematic latecomer, but at least now I’m fashionably so.
Photo by Evelyn Verdín on Unsplash