A Fistful of Dollars

I've just finished watching "A fistful of Dollars" for the first time. I thought it might tie in well with us looking at stars and how they were used in hollywood. Do people watch this film because its a classic piece of cinema or do they watch it because they want to see Clint Eastwood swaggering and grimacing around the screen? I suppose its not that good an example because these are the films that really established him as a star. But the character he plays seems to be the model for later Eastwood films; the fierce, quietly intelligent hero. Maybe then this is how a star is created and then used. Audiences loved Clint Eastwood playing that character and would pay their money again and again to see him play it. Studios see that audiences like this and so put him in the same roles and so this "star" image is created. Clint Eastwood is no longer an actor hes a brand the studio can advertise and sell.

My Fake Baby

I had a very mixed reaction whilst watching "My Fake Baby". I think the choice of following those two particular woman was interesting because of the way they contrasted one another. I think the programme makers did this to try and show the wide variety of reasons behind people getting one of these dolls. I also think the womans stories were ones that would bring out a strong emotional response from an audience.

I found the first woman infuriating. This was the woman who had never had children (because she said she was "too busy having fun") and just wanted the perfect baby. Her definition of a perfect baby seemed to be one that was quiet and never in anyway a bother. She seemed to enjoy dolling the babies up in designer gear more than anything else, and pushing them around in her top of the range prams. This belittles the whole reasoning behind having a child. She didnt want a child to love and take care of, she wanted a child so she could have another thing to play with, another thing to try and fill her clearly empty life. Yes, that is some peoples reasoning behind having a child, a way of filling some hole in their life, but shes too selfish to put in the work. If she had a real child she would have to put its needs first. Why do that when she can have a doll made and all she has to think about is her own needs and enjoyment?

I think my angry response shows the quality of the documentary. For a documentary to work the audience must connect to it on an emotional level. If they connect on an emotional level their opinions on the subject will become a lot stronger.