It seems to me that in movies our hearts are never with the people who are beautiful looking and likely to win, but instead with the people who don't have it perfect and have fallen on hard times. I was thinking while I was watching both movies "Dreamgirls" and "The Pursuit of Happyness" that while we hoped that both Jennifer Hudson and Will Smith's characters would win, in reality most people would look down on a man who was living on the streets with his child, and most people paid attention to Diana Ross instead of Florence Ballard. So why do we all have this capacity to hope that the less good looking/unlucky character wins in the movies but not in real life?
2006-12-26 14:46:24 · 9 answers · asked by digicamdork 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
In movies, you see exactly what the underdog is going through, so you will feel sorry for them. In real life, you don't really know what people are going through, so it is easier to look down on them. In real life, people tend to look for faults in others in an attempt to feel better about themselves, but when they are watching movies, they can relate to the character and imagine that they themselves are going through what the character is going through.
It's a sad reflection on society that we can feel more sympathy for a fictional character than for actual people...
2006-12-26 15:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is easy to cheer for the underdog in the movies. But there are those of us who cheer in real life. The counselors, the therapists, the homeless workers, the halfway house staff. Doctors who donate their time and skill to the underpriviledged. Attorneys who work pro bono. When I see someone homeless on the street, my first thought is "but for the grace of God, there go I.
and a post script. I am good looking and still struggling and there are many out there just like me.
2006-12-26 23:09:49 · answer #2 · answered by shoes_717 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know this is one of them questions that makes you take a look at your own self and think. I am one of those people I have always tried to encourage the person that one one else would even take the time to say anything to. so I beleive that often times the underdog is the person that will come on and do the best job with a little encourgement.
2006-12-26 22:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by karen v 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because in movies, characters are usually one dimensional except for the main character. Also, in movies we can relate to them, since we are only sitting and watching.
In real life, however, we usually feel OURSELVES to be the underdog, and all the "other underdogs" are just more competition.
Sad, but true.
2006-12-26 23:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by Kailee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We do root for the under dog. The down and out. What other possible explanation could there possible be for Robert Downy Jr.?
2006-12-26 22:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by thirsty mind 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because when bad things happen to us, we view ourselves as the underdogs rather than feel compassion for those who have it even worse.
2006-12-26 22:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by onheadphones 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People are very insecure and it makes them feel better to look down on others who dont have the same thing they have ,
2006-12-26 22:52:27 · answer #7 · answered by Terry S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in films we most likely knows he/she is going to win. in life we like winners.
2006-12-26 22:48:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question...a real good question.
2006-12-26 22:51:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋