Patriotic screenplays?

[filmklassik]

Anybody on here care to speculate about the public's appetite (or lack thereof) for movies celebrating good old-fashioned, red white and blue, American patriotism?

In my view there are two kinds of patriotism that are ESSENTIAL to the well-being and continued existence of the Republic.

The first is of the questioning variety. In a word, DISSENT. Wariness and skepticism are vitally important in keeping our elected officials on track and serving the public good since, as the saying goes, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. (And now let us pause for a moment as we consider the relentless, patriotic reportage of Mssrs. Woodward and Bernstein).

The second and equally important brand of patriotism is MARTIAL in nature -- the kind that rouses itself from slumber and heeds the call to arms when liberty and the American way of life are threatened. Pearl Harbor and 9/11 are just two stark examples of this. And to those of you insisting that war has never solved anything I remind you that it certainly solved Hitler, Hirohito, and the division of North and South in the 1860s after which – a Union restored – it allowed for the abolition of slavery.

But the final years of the Bush Administration saw only one kind of patriotism being celebrated on film – namely the first, dissenting variety (and no doubt our involvement in a seemingly endless and unpopular war was in large measure responsible for this). RENDITION, IN THE GARDEN OF ELAH, GRACE IS GONE, WAR INC, and other movies of their ilk reflected the cynicism and weariness of a nation losing its way.

And then came Obama… and with the handsome young President from Illinois came the promise of hope and change. Patriotic fever swept the country. National pride was restored. Who can forget the veritable sea of American Flags – hundreds of thousands of them! -- flying in the breeze on Inauguration Day?

So the question becomes, with Obama in the White House and his popularity soaring (at home and abroad), is the public once again looking forward to movies that reflect this new, flag-waving brand of American patriotism?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

[Sinnycal]

Wait, so "flag-waving" is no longer a pejorative?

[suzeaa]

Can anyone think of a patriotic movie that doesn't involve a hero?

[filmklassik]

Sinnycal: Well, if the term "flag-waving" still has a perjorative connotation then at least half a million people who turned out for Obama's inauguration have a great deal of explaining to do, because the mall in D.C. was a friggin' ocean of American flags. More stars and stripes than I have probably ever seen in my life!

And suzeaa: Forgive me but I'm not sure if I fully understood your question.

[suzeaa]

Originally Posted by filmklassik

Sinnycal: Well, if the term "flag-waving" still has a perjorative connotation then at least half a million people who turned out for Obama's inauguration have a great deal of explaining to do, because the mall in D.C. was a friggin' ocean of American flags. More stars and stripes than I have probably ever seen in my life!

And suzeaa: Forgive me but I'm not sure if I fully understood your question.

Patriotic films have a hero, and doesn't everyone love a hero?

[Fortean]

Originally Posted by suzeaa

Patriotic films have a hero, and doesn't everyone love a hero?

"The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors." ~ Ambrose Bierce

JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN might be something else to consider.

And, does this new spirit of patriotism mean that Yanks will stop putting maple leaf flags on their backpacks and luggage?

[wcmartell]

67.7% of an American film's audience is overseas. Film is a global product.

- Bill

[Biohazard]

As a member of the public, I'd like to say that I would never, ever see a film because it's patriotic.

Story comes first.

Plus, patriotism doesn't excite me. Sorry.

[Development Hell]

The only recent movie that celebrated the martial brand of patriotism -- which i think is so much more effective movie-wise than dissent -- was 300.

I don't think it was an accident why that thing killed the box office. No, it wasn't because it was a graphic novel (Why did Watchmen bomb...) I'd never even heard of 300 before I heard about a movie being made about it. It was the testosterone fueled love for one's country -- or city-state if you want to get picky.

Fill in America each time you hear Sparta in 300 and I think you'll know why it resonated with so many people in this country.

ETA: There is a thirst for patriotic movies that's existed for some time now. We never got the martial kind after 9/11. 300 was the closest thing. I think you're off base that there is 'now' a demand. It has always been there it's just the people who run Hollywood prefer the dissenting kind.

ETA II: If you think I'm grasping at straws for thinking about substituting America for Sparta in 300, doesn't that show how desperate I am (and a majority of moviegoers) for such a movie?

[cvolante]

I think the way you'd want to do a "patriotic" movie would be like Independence Day or that one with Otto-it-means-8 who was a double for the president. Can't think what it's called and I'm blanking on his name. Or that one where the president is Michael Douglas and he dates Annette Benning. Apparently I should get some caffeine before I continue with my day...