Why does it take some time before a movie "grows" on you?

Answer 1

I understand what you mean by that. The film that comes immediately to mind is "Phantoms", starring Peter O'Toole, Joanna Going, Rose McGowan, Ben Affleck and Liev Schreiber. The first time I saw it, I truly did not like it. The only draw was Peter O'Toole. Some time passed before I saw it again. I still didn't care for it, but I didn't dislike it. Then, years passed, till October of this year, when I watched it again. Hmmm... This is better than I remember. Schreiber is still amazingly irritating but~wait~maybe he's supposed to be! Why IS he so doggone weird? Could he already be part of The Ancient Evil?

Suddenly, I realized that I just might like the film. Since it was on On Demand for free, I found myself watching it one or two times a night for more October evenings than I kept count of. I started looking forward to certain scenes, and I delighted in Peter O'Toole's performance each time. So, now I've made friends with this film, but I haven't videotaped it yet. I imagine that, at some time in the future, when no one has shown it for a while, I'll think, "Why didn't I tape that one?!"

Another that had to grow on me but didn't take much time to do so is "Donnie Darko". I didn't think I liked it when I finished watching it the first time. I didn't hate it, but it was disquieting. That night, I actually found myself unable to fall asleep as I puzzled over this film, trying to recall the timelines. I realized that I was going to have to watch it again. For a long time, I thought I was alone in coming to admire this truly odd film. When I happened onto Y!A in early September of this year, I started seeing it on people's lists of favorites and realized that this truly is a cult film. I myself have placed it on dozens of favorites lists.

If I recall some others, I shall return to list them perhaps although two examples should be enough I imagine.

Why does it sometimes take time to learn to like a movie? Maybe that first time, you're not in the right mood or are distracted. Perhaps there is something about it that draws you back~a question about the plot, an actor you like, a certain scene, etc. Maybe someone asks about it, and that question starts you thinking about the film. Some movies, you never learn to like; others take some getting used to. Yes, they take time to "grow" on you, so I completely understand your question and think it deserves a star.

Answer 2

Maybe it's because I am old, but I have found two reasons why it takes time.

1) When I first go to/see a movie, I am always a bit of a critic. The fewer the problems I find the quicker the movie grows on me and repeat viewings for enjoyment follow.

2) I don't know how old the movies you are thinking of are, but over the years, I have found myself going back to older movies with"new" eyes and finding that movies I hated in the past are now quite enjoyable.

Good movie watching no matter what!

Answer 3

The first time I saw Napoleon Dynamite I thought it was the dumbest thing I had ever seen but the second time I got it and thought the lines were hilarious. I'm not sure why it took a second time but perhaps it was because I wasnt trying to figure out the plot and just enjoyed the movie.