The Slice: Thumbs down on recommending films

Have you stopped recommending movies?

Some of us have. After all, how many times do you want to be scorched with “What were you thinking?”

This came to mind the other night after watching a 2004 movie called “Dear Frankie.” Low-key and set in Scotland, it’s a small story about a mother trying to do right by her young son. I liked it, and had the impulse to tout it.

Then I remembered. There is no real consensus about what constitutes a good movie. No doubt there are a lot of people who would give “Dear Frankie” a vigorous thumbs-down.

And that’s fine.

But here’s the thing. Though we don’t always admit it, a person recommending a film wants eventually to hear something along the lines of …

“Thank you! That movie really moved me and made me think. What a great tip. You are so smart and discerning.”

Or “I never would have watched that if you hadn’t suggested it, but I have to tell you I now consider it one of my all-time favorites. Much appreciated.”

Instead, we’re apt to hear…

“Hey, you, I want those two hours of my life back.”

Or “So that’s what you think of me? You thought I would like that? Sheesh.”

It’s the difference between affirmation and rejection. No one enjoys the latter.

This isn’t just a simple matter of some movie-watchers wanting car chases and others craving subtle insight on the human condition. Tastes in films are varied and we cannot always predict what someone else will enjoy.

So anyway, forget that I said anything about “Dear Frankie.” I can live without an e-mail saying “Not only was there zero action but I couldn’t even understand what they were saying half the time.”

Slice answer: “The way you can tell Spokane zombies from regular zombies is Spokane zombies wear John Deere baseball caps,” said Larry Quine.

Today’s Slice question: How many people here can point to more than a few heavily developed parts of the Spokane area and say, “I can remember when this was all woods and fields”?