How do we actually know our opinion?

Every time I go to the cinema with my mum, the second the house lights turn on and credits roll; she turns to me and asks "Did you like that?"

And suddenly I think I’m not sure yet. Yet I usually say yes, to humour her.

Why do we do that? Why don't we trust our own immediate reaction? What goes through our head as we develop an opinion?

The "Guilty Pleasure" Trap

When I saw La La Land with my pal, I knew I loved it.

I wasn't even satisfied with the ending (I desperately wanted them to end up together), but I felt excitement, wonder, hope, pure joy, frustration, sadness, and longing. I loved the actors, the music, the visuals. It was just a beautiful experience.

I enjoyed the journey so much that I was able to ignore the fact I hated the ending.

But I still shied away from saying it was my favourite film.

Why? Because the story is just that bit cheesy, right? If I say it's my favourite, it feels like I’m saying I agree with everything the characters did. That I want that for me.

But that’s different when it comes to your FAVOURITE film. Like, I don’t say I loved JAWS because it seems random. But you know what?

I loved JAWS.

It doesn't mean I love sharks, or beaches, or alcoholic fishermen. It just means the experience was brilliant.

The Flaw Forgiveness Factor

At the end of the day, it just matters how a film made you FEEL. It’s a gut feeling.

I’ve seen films I should have loved, yet came away with things that didn't sit quite right. A plot hole, or something historically inaccurate.

But why was I totally okay with that in Marie Antoinette, but in Wuthering Heights I cringed?

I’m going to give this a name: The Flaw Forgiveness Factor.

You don’t have to love every single bit of a film to love it. The people who wrote and created it don’t even do that. Things go awry, silly choices get made, but if you have a gut feeling that this was a good experience, you’re willing to forgive the flaws.

But if you just want to get a cheap thrill or a quick shock out of me, like a lazy jump scare, I’m gonna resent the film for thinking I could be fooled so easily.

You are qualified to have an opinion

Liking a film does NOT require any film theory jargon.

• You don’t need to know the backstory of a director.

• You don’t need to spot every single easter egg.

• You don't need to have seen the first 3 versions of A Star Is Born to enjoy the latest one.

You don't have to love fashion to like The Devil Wears Prada. Heck, maybe a movie just opened your eyes a tiny bit to something random (shoutout to The Bee Movie and its environmental messaging).

In this age of performative interests, just be authentic. If something brings you joy, that’s all that matters. You are fully qualified to have an opinion.

So... what happens next?

When a film ends, what do you actually want to do?

Do you want to share it? Discuss the amazing craft with your peers? Get different views?

Or do you want to keep it secret. For My Eyes Only! "I don’t care what others think of this, it’s mine."

Let me know in the comments. (And drop your ultimate "flaw-forgiven" movie while you're at it.)