My friends and I bought advance tickets to see Quentin Tarantino’s latest Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at Nueplex. We were seated next to a local celebrity actor and his group of four friends, a misfortune we were blissfully unaware of at the time the movie started.
Even Brad Pitt and Leonardo Di Caprio’s on-screen bromance could not distract from the loud commentary erupting next to us. We were treated to an audible narration on each scene, something that is only acceptable during a Tarantino film if it is done by Quentin Tarantino himself.
When my husband politely asked the group to keep it down, they apologised. Over the next ten minutes the celebrity actor picked up a phone call and proceeded to have a conversation during the movie. Not realising how rude it is to have a conversation in a theatre filled with movie-goers, he proceeded to do it again for a second time.
When the group kept on disrupting the movie experience with their commentary, laughing and frat-boy antics, my husband asked them if they were always that loud during a movie. The actor told him to chill and took a sip from his water bottle.
After the movie was over, we confronted them about their disruptive behaviour. They responded with “we only got excited because we’re Tarantino fans.”
When we explained how rude it is to act like a public screening is your private living room, they reacted by gaslighting us and uttering absurd comments like “Don’t be such hippies.” When my friend pointed out their childish behaviour, they escalated the situation with unnecessary aggression. The only respectful behaviour was demonstrated by the celebrity’s wife, who rightfully apologised and calmed down the male aggression on display.
When you talk during a movie, you’re taking something away from everybody else in the room.
The reason why someone would feel the need to do this could be any of the following:
You were not taught to be quiet during a public performance, or
You talk loudly during films because you like the attention.
This is not a personal attack on this celebrity, just a plea. Please don’t ruin movies for others.
As an actor, you should really know better. Movies are an art form with countless hours devoted by a skilled team on each frame and line of dialogue. The cinema is a space where this art form flourishes and brings together people from all walks of life for a few fleeting hours of entertainment.
The last thing we want while we’re enjoying this brief interlude of escapism is a loudmouthed distraction hollering to his buddies. Don’t be that person.
As we have all gone through a similar negative movie-watching experience at some point, the question needs to be asked: are people not aware of common movie theatre etiquette?
This is a Public Service Announcement for anyone planning to go to the theatre. Below is a reminder of common Do’s and Don’ts that everyone should follow, regardless of whether you are a celebrity actor or watching a movie in the theatre for the first time.
These courteous habits will go a long way in ensuring that you and others sharing the same room have an enjoyable and hassle-freecinematic experience.
Don’t show up late