Last week I went and saw the movie Dolphin Tail. As the previews ended and the movie began that famous disclaimer popped up on the screen. ‘This film is based on a true story.’ Since I used to live in the town this film was made and I knew the real story I decided I would see how much was made up by Hollywood. I’m sure you guys are not surprised to find out that an unbelievable amount of events weren’t true.
When we talked about how these kinds of movies made us feel or think everyone felt the same way; betrayed. Some people even said that the hope and motivation that a movie would give someone would be completely ruined when they found out it wasn’t real. I believe that this can be very true. But I think it depends on what parts are actually true and what are not.
In Dolphin Tail the main character was a dolphin named Winter. She was found on the beach after getting her tail caught in the line of a crab trap. When they took her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which was the Clearwater Marine Hospital in the movie, they had to amputate her tail because of how infected it was. Everyone believed that she wouldn’t survive. Dolphins need their tail to swim and stay above water to breathe. Winter somehow taught herself to swim without it. Unfortunately the way she swam, which was a side to side motion like a snake, was really messing up her spine. They came up with the crazy idea to make her a prosthetic tail. The amazing thing was it actually worked. She learned how to swim like a normal dolphin again.
People who have prosthetics themselves or just recently lost a limb are and will be motivated by this story; regardless of its complete truthfulness. Psychologically, people feel a lot better about their situation when they see someone (or something) else succeed with the exact same circumstances. It gives them a sense of comfort and helps them understand that everything will work out for the best. Even though the majority of the movie is made up, except for the actual story of Winter, people are still motivated by that alone.
I agree with you. People go to seminars and AA meetings (lol) to better themselves by hearing people talk about how to be successful or to hear other people who have gone through their situation become a better person out of it. I actually want to see that movie, it looked really adorable. Once again, I don't really think seeing "based on true events" alters my way of viewing a movie. Yeah, it's personal and what not, but it wouldn't make me offended if I were in the same situation and it didn't quite match up to my own personal experiences.
ReplyDeletei think the whole " based on a truth story" disclaimer works differently for different movies. I highly doubt most people will be offended if stories like the one about this dolphin are slightly changed. on the other hand, dramatic and compelling life stories might have more impact on people if they are "based on a true story" because it puts them in the mindset where they know this ACTUALLY happened at some point in real life. this might cause them to become motivated or emotionally enlightened.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the real story???? I think that it is okay to bend the truth if it is going to make a positive impact on someone's life. Telling a story like Dolphin Tale is inspiring to people so I don't think it is bad that it isn't exactly true. It says that is based on a true story not that it is the true story. I really want to know what really happened though! When I watched Titanic which is also based on a true story, obviously, I looked up some of the characters. I was disappointed to see that Rose wasn't a real person but it was interesting to see the characters that were real people. Some of their roles in the movie were even based off of survivor's stories. When I watch a movie that is based off of a true story I enjoy looking up the real story to find out more.
ReplyDeleteI find it funny that a movie says it's based on a true story and doesn't give you an accurate picture of the "real true story." I think Hollywood tries to change the story to make it more interesting. It's just like the guy who wrote "A Million Little Pieces." He just wanted to have a great book and make money. I personally want movies that are "based on a true story" to maintain the integrity of the story itself.
ReplyDeleteWell that's Hollywood for you. If they told the story verbatim then people would probably not go see it. Of course they change the story so that they can make more money. Adding the disclaimer makes people want to go watch the movie even more. They feel inspired by the story because it actually happened, well at least part of it did. Even if it is not 100% true, people like to see movies that they can relate to and that gives them hope. So I agree when you said that "people are still motivated by that alone."
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't surprise me that a lot of the movie is made up, but i completely agree that in a 'based on a true story' movie that it depends on what is fabricated that actually effects the audience because if it isn't anything of major significance than no one will really care. Like you said it will more than likely motivate many people that have prosthetic limbs, which is a great, due to them being able to relate to the movie.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too surprised myself by this. I think a lot of people use these types of events, no matter how twisted and fabricated they become, as placebos. I mean, I don't personally feel it's right to say that it's the same story when you clearly know it isn't, but at the same time, people love this sort of thing. It makes money, it touches people, and no matter how different the real story is, people still love it.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess Morgan Freeman did not play a part in the real story. Im kidding of course, but Hollywood sure does have a way to take real and inspiring stories and twist them into something they are not. And I agree with you, they can place that phrase on basically any story. Just because it vaguely resembles a true story does not make it entirely true. If Dolphin Tale was not based on true story, then people would never see it. I feel like this is the case for a lot of movies out their today, but sometimes when they slap that phrase on the movie it detracts from it. It all just depends on how the story is portrayed, whether or not it is believable, and the personal opinion of the viewer.
ReplyDeleteHollywood puts so many unnecessary details to a "based on a true story" movie. My brother is out in LA and has plenty of friends who tell him that they have to make stuff up or the story won't be interesting. I really don't mind when movies lie and give me details that aren't true, because it is in fact, a MOVIE. We have to expect that everything isn't going to be true. If you want something that's true, go watch a documentary. If you want the real story, then it's probably going to sound like a news report about what happened. Directors have to make it interesting or they probably won't sell as much.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see a movie with the disclaimer "based on a true story" I honestly do not put much faith into it. I know the directors and storywriters are going to twist the story as much as possible in order to make it a better movie. Ultimately their goal is to make as much money as possible. So the integrity of the truth is usually a casualty in this process. Every time I see "based on a true story" I roll my eyes and hope the actual movie is good.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point. What is made up and what is true is the big different; not how much of each there is. As long as the big pieces of the story are true I don’t think I would mind a story being a little bit made up. Who cares if the dialogue is actually verbatim? I know I don’t care if a conversation is made up if it’s just added to clear up the message of the story. Also it’s important to note that I only feel this way if the story was claiming to be based on a true story. If this claim isn’t made I don’t care at all how much is made up or true. Go for it, make up the best story you can think up.
ReplyDeleteI think being betrayed is the worst feeling a human can endure. Movies especially have the ability to evoke this reaction with these phrases. I think that going into movies like this with the presumptuous attitude that most of what you're seeing is not based on true events actually helps make the message seem more potent. On a tangent, it is often easier to relate to fictional characters because they are often designed to be relatable
ReplyDeleteI am also from Clearwater but I haven't seen the movie yet. I agree that the story of winter is very inspiring even if the movie tells it differently. Hollywood always changes movies to make them more exciting. That is just the way it is. I actually really like that they do because the movies wouldn't be as captivating without the truth being stretched. For example, I would not want to watch the movie Titanic without Jack and Rose. I don't want to watch a tragic four hour movie without the love story.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how saying something is based on a true story, when many extraneous details are stretched, would make somebody feel betrayed? Betrayal is an intense emotion. Betrayal is when you think someone is your friend, but they turn against you. It doesn't make sense to me how you could get feeling from a movie disclaimer. I actually think the disclaimer could be quite funny when used inappropriately. Imagine watching a movie about an invading force of dinosaurs from outer space coming to New York City and killing everybody, only to see "Based On a True Story" tagged at the end. I'm positive I would fall out of my seat laughing. Maybe I just have a really weird sense of humor. hahahaha also, @KristenAnn I thought that Morgan Freeman joke was great LOL.
ReplyDeleteI never heard this story but it sounds really goo. I hate how they change movies so much. They exaggerate everything to make people want to see it more. The story should be good enough that they don't have to change anything. Also the directories want to make it their own version as much as they can so they change a bunch of little things so they can say "that’s my idea" when really its a dumb change that no one will car about. These stories are inspiring and beautiful on their own. Hollywood doesn't have to 'doll' them up or make them "better." Why not use the original story so stuff can stay true and people can relate more. Its silly and a waste of time. I wish movies were more realistic and less "Hollywoodized."
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you know the real story and are able to compare the movie to real life to see how much is actually true. I do really like your point that you made at the end that even though not every detail of the story is true, it can still give people with prosthetic limbs hope again. It shows them that even a dolphin can learn to use its new addition after the tragic event it had gone through. Some movies that say they are based on a true story could come about to try to motivate and inspire people if they believe the story actually did happen and they can relate to it. I would have never thought of how motivating this movie could actually be.
ReplyDeleteWow that is crazy. I didn't know that was possible. I totally agree with you. In this case as long as they stuck to the main point about Winter surviving with a prosthetic tail the rest of the story doesn't really matter. If they stuck to the complete true story it probably wouldn't make for a good movie. By adding in some interesting details to go along with Winter's story it keeps people's interest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement Psychologically, people feel a lot better about their situation when they see someone (or something) else succeed with the exact same circumstances. Whether it is good or bad people feel better about themselves doing something else when they see someone else doing it. For example, if your best friend was smoking weed and he wanted you to do it too. In your mind you may justify it and say its okay and do it because you feel better it that someone else is doing it with you. Or whether you be studying for a test and your friend is right there studying with you. It is gonna help you work that much harder because you have someone their comforting you and pushing you.
ReplyDeleteIt is helpful to see someone else succeed in something. I lost my boyfriend of 5 years last week. I thought this was the end for me and thought I would never survive the heart break. Lately a lot of people have messaged me, people also lost a loved one. They all have said that it gets better, the pain does not go away, but it gets better. Some people I know, others I don't. But from the ones i do, I've seen that they have picked themselves up and moved on. Seeing this helps me believe that i too will be ok one day.
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