dongregg wrote:Welcome, Mikallein.
Enough fans have had unsatisfactory experiences with introducing LTROI that it's probably safe to say the majority of members have quit trying.
Me? Never. For more than two years I've told everybody who would listen to see it. I even write instructions for them: "in Swedish, theatrical release subtitles."
Plenty of people just never get around to watching it. Those who have watched it ranged in reaction from "meh" to "liked it a lot" to very enthusiastic about it. The last two groups I call "Friends of LTROI but not infected."
Examples of the last two groups are evident in the reviews and comments found on the Internet, especially concentrated on RottenTomatoes and IMDb. Most such comments are as positive as can be. I'm fine when people I introduce the film to like it a lot ("Friends of LTROI") and are willing to discuss it with me.
I have no evidence to the contrary, but I don't necessarily believe that seeing the film with high expectations makes it difficult to approach with a fresh mind. Neither do I believe that discovering it by accident will lead to falling in love with it. Plenty of viewers who have written favorable comments on the Internet decided to watch it because it was heavily hyped by other viewers -- "Greatest vampire movie ever!", "Not to be missed", "Best film in any genre in the last 10 years!" In spite of the hype, they were able to see things about the film that sets it apart.
Anyway, whether because of five-star reviews, personal encomia, or by accident, I imagine that only a small number of film viewers will be totally bowled over by it. I can't predict who they might be, so I continue to encourage people to watch it. And I am truly grateful that some people like it a lot, even though it doesn't become their top film of all time.
If they don't watch it or if they think that it was just okay, I am disappointed (heart broken, crushed), but not discouraged.
