Ideas about realism in dialogue
Some really great points about realism in dialogue in Tracy Durnell's Aesthetic expectations link post.
I'm interested in the big quote about animals sounding like middle managers. I'm assuming this is relevant to the film trailer in the link.
It's probably okay for some stuff to be self-aware, I think we'd all agree. Parodies, satire. Deadpool. But there's too much self-awareness in forms that don't need it. Some kids films feel like there's more nudge-wink jokes for the long-suffering adults watching than there are for the kids. Just make a good film everyone can enjoy! Then you don't have to apologise to adults with irony.
This excess of irony felt like it was kind of funny in the 90s with Buffy. Hanging lampshades on things. Teasing at the fourth wall. It's all gotten a bit much since then. And I do fully blame Joss Whedon. For this and many other things.
Beyond the irony problem, the most unrealistic thing I've seen on tv recently, amongst all the crimes and murders, was several characters repeatedly saying "Let it go" and no one broke into song. Now, I know production doesn't want to pay Disney but honestly I'd rather rewrite the "Let it go."
I'll often think I'd love a bit more naturalism. I think perfection has a lot to answer for. Everyone needing to feel like they are marching White House corridors pinging pithy witticisms at one another.
On the other hand I read a book with very realistic dialogue - lots of ums and ahs and filler and ellipses and unfinished thoughts... And it was infuriating. A balance can be struck.
More than dialogue, I do love a bit of really getting into a frame of reference. For instance, Pod by Laline Paull whose main character is a dolphin. I know this is a bit hard problem of consciousness. But Ea does actually feel like attempting to enter a different frame of reference. And, as in the tweet, Watership Down, one of my favourite books, with a whole immersive culture and language of otherness. Also stuff like Room by Emma Donoghue which is a really good child narrator example.
Anyway, I've got no useful ideas, I just really like thinking about it.