I was raised on the coast of Downeast Maine. I'm sure by Burt's standard I'm a yuppie, but I would like to offer my perspective on him and the film as someone with the same background.
First if you don't like Burt's personality, the quintessential Maine man, that's fine but also understand that communicating and building trust looks different for people in rural areas. When I first left home I soon realized urban people try very hard to present publicly as friendly and appeasing all the time. In Maine it is okay to not be sociable, to feel outwardly uncomfortable, and to not want to share things about yourself. Generally in Maine we value sincerity over friendliness. Even now I am naturally suspicious when a person is super cheerful and animated when meeting me for the first time. It's not that we're not friendly, it's just that "we are who we are".
On that note I would say everyone who interacts with him in the movie have some sort of ulterior motive. That is probably why they perceive him as cold, and in my opinion he has every reason to not trust them. When his Taiwanese assistant laments about trying to get him to open his heart to hear, I think: "What care have you shown this person outside of your job. Why should he open up to you when your relationship to him is obligational?" Honestly you get the impression that he's wise to be cynical, as people like Roxanne will not hesitate to take advantage of his friendship.
I think this is a good film for people who are interested in the stark contrast of personality between people raised in rural areas and cities. I'd also recommend it to introverts, and people who are interested in alternative, low-key ways of being. I find the over-excited Taiwanese fans fawning over this man they've never seen to be kind of disturbing and overwhelming, and the movie does a good job of contrasting this against his daily life outside his cabin.
If you're left wanting for more information on the history of the company itself or the drama behind his personal relationships, I think you're missing the point. This movie gives us a view of someone who never asked to be thrust into the public eye and into a consumerist culture. Burt has to do battle every day reckoning with the brand that has no association with him whatsoever, but still relies on for income. He has a rare personality for a semi-public figure and I have a lot of empathy for him.
I give this movie 8 stars and not 10 because I do not appreciate the pitiful spin they try to put on his life after leaving the company. Burt seems like he is doing fine? (I realize he has since passed away) Otherwise I think it's a solid portrait of a Maine man juxtaposed against the insanity of everywhere else.
First if you don't like Burt's personality, the quintessential Maine man, that's fine but also understand that communicating and building trust looks different for people in rural areas. When I first left home I soon realized urban people try very hard to present publicly as friendly and appeasing all the time. In Maine it is okay to not be sociable, to feel outwardly uncomfortable, and to not want to share things about yourself. Generally in Maine we value sincerity over friendliness. Even now I am naturally suspicious when a person is super cheerful and animated when meeting me for the first time. It's not that we're not friendly, it's just that "we are who we are".
On that note I would say everyone who interacts with him in the movie have some sort of ulterior motive. That is probably why they perceive him as cold, and in my opinion he has every reason to not trust them. When his Taiwanese assistant laments about trying to get him to open his heart to hear, I think: "What care have you shown this person outside of your job. Why should he open up to you when your relationship to him is obligational?" Honestly you get the impression that he's wise to be cynical, as people like Roxanne will not hesitate to take advantage of his friendship.
I think this is a good film for people who are interested in the stark contrast of personality between people raised in rural areas and cities. I'd also recommend it to introverts, and people who are interested in alternative, low-key ways of being. I find the over-excited Taiwanese fans fawning over this man they've never seen to be kind of disturbing and overwhelming, and the movie does a good job of contrasting this against his daily life outside his cabin.
If you're left wanting for more information on the history of the company itself or the drama behind his personal relationships, I think you're missing the point. This movie gives us a view of someone who never asked to be thrust into the public eye and into a consumerist culture. Burt has to do battle every day reckoning with the brand that has no association with him whatsoever, but still relies on for income. He has a rare personality for a semi-public figure and I have a lot of empathy for him.
I give this movie 8 stars and not 10 because I do not appreciate the pitiful spin they try to put on his life after leaving the company. Burt seems like he is doing fine? (I realize he has since passed away) Otherwise I think it's a solid portrait of a Maine man juxtaposed against the insanity of everywhere else.
