The word classic can be applied to many films, and implies that one should automatically love it, simply because it is “a classic.” But who decides what a classic is? Why do we have to love these movies that have been forced upon us—especially when some of them are downright upsetting? Check out what six different William and Mary students have to say about their least favorite classic films!
Anonymous, Class of 2018
Least Favorite Classic Film: Rear Window
“It’s so boring! People talk up this movie all the time as a master of suspense, and I just don’t get it. Even the most climactic moment of the movie isn’t very exciting. Also, the protagonist of the film does not deserve Grace Kelly by any stretch of the imagination.”
Anonymous, Class of 2019
Least Favorite Classic Film: The Spirit of the Beehive
“If you check Sight & Sound’s list of the top 100 films ever made, The Spirit of the Beehive is number 81. I theoretically get why it’s there. It’s an anti-Fascist film made by one of Spain’s most famous filmmakers. It uses slow film techniques to create a trance-like quality, as if you’re staring at a painting. But my god, it is literally the most BORING film I have ever seen. And this wasn’t on accident. This isn’t just me having a short attention span. It was intentional. The director purposefully made the film slow and boring to get past Franco’s censors. That’s all fine and good for him, but do you know what that means for the rest of us? THE FILM IS HORRIBLY, TERRIBLY BORING TO WATCH. And maybe I wouldn’t feel so strongly if I’d only watched it once. But no, I’ve had to watch this molasses-drip of a movie THREE times for THREE separate film courses. I just don’t get the critical love for this movie. I just don’t.”
Anissa, Class of 2019
Least Favorite Classic Film: Citizen Kane
“While I subjectively understand it’s a significant film, I just find it to be so painfully slow, archaic, overacted, and just boring. Also, the random shot of a parrot at the end of the film is disorienting and frankly, the scariest part of this film. I can’t say it’s a bad film but it’s definitely not my favorite by a long shot.”
Anonymous, Class of 2019
Least Favorite Classic Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey
“Although the visual and music effects were amazing, the plot was lackluster and made no sense. I was also very confused at the end.”
Silvana Smith, Class of 2018
Least Favorite Classic Film: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
“Although I love the aesthetic, the film is definitely racist (Mickey Rooney) and it took me two watches to figure out Audrey Hepburn was a courtesan (fancy prostitute). I gave it a good go, but I just didn’t enjoy the film.”
Tyler, Class of 2019
Least Favorite Classic Film: Singin’ in the Rain
“I just don’t really like musicals from the ’50s, and Singin’ in the Rain particularly has some unnecessarily long and tedious musical sequences that simply aren’t what I enjoy in a movie.”