Good ol' Rocky

This film was very interesting from the start, I really like when movies do things out of the ordinary, and how this one started was very unique. I immediately understood the tone it had and the direction it was taking with its humor and what it was joking with. Slightly similar to the feeding machine from Modern Times, the products that were showcased at the beginning of this film set up the idea of an overzealous attempt at streamlining and oversimplifying life. The products shown were also indicative of the times, people wanted (and still want) money, so incomplete, or just utter garbage products were released. At the same time, these beginning ads were also trying to show that it’s hard to come up with something different that grabs and holds the attention of their target audience, a rapidly changing American public.

            Rockwell Hunter, the main character, is what he and the movie itself define as a “normal man” he’s not famous and he sees himself as unsuccessful. This theme of success flows through the entire movie, the humor of the film is also mostly derived from this concept as well. What Rock defines as successful is being a vice president or even president of a company. He cares about the status more than money in a general sense and this is evident when he says “…I could be a vice president, and maybe even get a raise” After finding Rita Marlow. Because being an executive in a company is success to Rock. It also shows the stinginess of the company, and adds another, relatable level of comedy.

            This movie showed a lot of different aspects of humanity, but focused primarily on the undesirable traits. It showcased our obsession with fame, showcased the shallow nature of people, and portrayed the struggle we have as “normal” people to keep up with the famous and successful people. This movie showed that even when people seem like they have all they want in power, fortune and fame, there is still something else they’re missing, or need. Each character was missing something, or pining for something and this movie forced these underlying struggles into the light. The boss, mr. la salle jr., for example didn’t even want his position, when Rock thought that he was utterly happy with his life.

            Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter did a very good job of conveying and portraying different character types. It made them understandable and easy for the audience to recognize what it was poking fun at. It also made an interesting statement about what we want out of life, and gave rise to the question of what success really is.