The turning point happened sometime last year, during a screening of Richard LaGravanese's Hilary Swank vehicle, P.S. I Love You, which was surprisingly much better than its advertising campaign would have us believe. There we are sitting in a darkened, half-full movie theatre, getting wrapped up in the heartache and hope of our heroine's journey when at a critical juncture in the story, a lady sitting behind us exclaims to her husband: "Ireland."
See, in the context of the story, the fact that Hilary Swank's character will journey across the ocean to Ireland in search of love is something of a revelation. The revelation comes in the form of a gorgeous panoramic vista of rolling verdant hills. Obviously, unmistakable as being "Ireland."
Thank god the woman behind us had the good sense to announce it though because, otherwise, I might have mistaken the scene for Pakistan or Norway.
Which brings me to my question. When did it become socially acceptable for audiences to talk in a normal voice during the movie? And this doesn't just happen at the movies, either. [ed note: for more on this annoying topic, see: Ladies & Gentleman: Please Behave Yourselves!]
Broadway seems to be fair game to these "narrators" as well. In fact, during a recent performance of Liza's at the Palace, the women behind us let us know just how wonderful Liza looked and sounded at several key emotional spots during the show.
Do any of you have a theory as to how this trend began? What is causing this? And is there anything to be done about it?
