Extrac tive Scenes or Subplots That Should Have Been Removed from Films

When evaluating a film, one cannot help but notice certain scenes or subplots that, despite their initial intentions, do not serve the story well. These can range from necessary but poorly executed to clearly unnecessary and poorly done. It is crucial to understand and recognize these elements, as they often affect the overall viewing experience. In this article, we will explore some examples of scenes and subplots that arguably should have been deleted from films and understand why they were possibly left in or should have been taken out, making the movie better.

Necessary but Poorly Done Scenes

Necessary but poorly done. There are scenes or subplots that, while necessary for the development of the story or the character, are not well-executed. These can often be seen as “pointless additions” because they did not provide value or enhance the narrative but were included for story continuity or thematic purposes. An example comes from 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', where the early deleted scene featuring Roy at his job was intended to flesh out the story in a cool way but ultimately did not come off well. Steven Spielberg recognized that this scene would not work, hence its removal.

Thought to Be Necessary, Actually Not

Thought to be necessary by the filmmakers for commercial reasons but actually not necessary. A lot of romantic subplots can fall into this category. For instance, the many romantic entanglements in ‘The Notebook’ or 'The Proposal' are often poorly executed, detracting from the main narrative rather than strengthens it. If these subplots are not well-done, their inclusion can overshadow the main story and leave the audience feeling unsatisfied.

Optional and Poorly Done Scenes

Optional but poorly done. Some scenes or subplots are considered optional and added to the film to flesh out the story or a character, intending to make us care more about a character, especially if the character is planned to be killed off later in the film. For example, the sequence in 'Misery' where Paul provides for Stephanie as she recovers from her accident is critically unfunny. The scene was left in because the filmmakers expected it to be good, which it wasn't. Similar cases exist in films like 'The Da Vinci Code', where the scene featuring the dreams of the Holy Grail is not just unnecessary but poorly executed, detracting from the overarching narrative of the film.

Clear Unnecessary but Well-Executed Scenes

Clearly unnecessary but well done. It is debatable whether such scenes should or should not have been included. They might enhance the film if they were done well, but if not, they could disrupt the flow of the narrative. An example would be the long courtroom scenes in 'The Trial of the Chicago 7', which, despite their impact, did not serve the story as well as they could have. They could have been trimmed or replaced with more impactful elements.

Clearly Unnecessary and Poorly Done Scenes

Clearly unnecessary and poorly done. While it seems unlikely, it's worth noting that there are instances where scenes or subplots are neither necessary nor well-executed, yet they are included. However, in practice, filmmakers would not include such elements, as they understand the value of effective storytelling. If a scene or subplot adds nothing, there is usually a reason it was included, even if it detracts from the film.

Conclusion

It is important to note that the decision to include or delete a scene or subplot is a complex one, often dependent on the director's vision and the film's overall direction. While some scenes or subplots might be necessary for the story, their execution can significantly affect the viewer's experience. Understanding these elements can help in both critiquing and enjoying films more effectively. By recognizing what works and what doesn't, we as viewers and filmmakers alike can strive to create more impactful and cohesive narratives.

Keywords:

unnecessary movie scenes, deleted scenes, poorly executed subplots, essential subplots, film revisions