Why Are Movie Characters So Rude on the Phone?

[_Some Schmo]

You ever notice people in movies and TV rarely say goodbye (or some equivalent) on telephone calls? If you don't say something like "talk to ya later" before you hang up, isn't that considered hanging up on the person?

But according to movie scripts, the characters always just seem to naturally know when the phone conversation has ended. Nobody every interprets it as a being hung up on.

It's strange to me that characters are never offended by this. I find it pretty jarring. It's almost as belief suspension inhibiting as someone in a musical suddenly breaking out in song.

[_MeDotOrg]

As a friend of mine has crept closer towards dementia, he has taken to hanging up whenever he feels the conversation is over, without any goodbye or 'over and out'. A mutual friend and I were watching a movie where someone did the phone-hangup-without-goodbye schtick. We both laughed because it reminded us of our friend with incipient dementia.

Another thing to watch in movies is how quickly information is transmitted when you can't hear the conversation. Hearing the word 'uh-huh' about 5 times over 15 seconds could mean the guy heard the entire defense at a murder trial.

As to why? Actually I think it's just time compression, trying to move the action forward quickly.

[_Some Schmo]

As to why? Actually I think it's just time compression, trying to move the action forward quickly.

I'm sure you're right about this. Writers likely look at as "trimming the fat." It's just one of those things that almost always takes me out of the moment.

[_Kishkumen]

That's funny. The same thing always bugs me.

[_subgenius]

directors often cutout the goodbyes, as in the person off camera says "goodbye" and we only witness the awkward realization of a social convention going by the wayside....along with notions of needing "belief suspension" in a movie. Movies/TV are now finding more profit and academy success by "belief creation" and "belief perpetuation". One does not suspend reality anymore but rather has it redefined and replaced.

[_honorentheos]

https://youtu.be/1pMvzYZx2h0?t=164

It's a superpower.

[_Tator]

Ever notice that money is rarely exchanged in the movies. A common scene is buying a drink at a bar, rarely is money exchanged unless the movie is an oater.

[_honorentheos]

Ever notice that money is rarely exchanged in the movies. A common scene is buying a drink at a bar, rarely is money exchanged unless the movie is an oater.

Or they just toss a few folded bills on the bar and walk out because why would the establishment care to check if its a few ones or Jacksons before they leave, right?

[_Some Schmo]

Ever notice that money is rarely exchanged in the movies. A common scene is buying a drink at a bar, rarely is money exchanged unless the movie is an oater.

Money is exchanged all the time, only it's almost always handed over in a briefcase.

A Snickers, quart of milk and the paper. Will that be all?

Yes.

That's $4.77.

Man places briefcase on the counter, snaps the latches and exposes its contents. Will this do...? Don't worry, it's all there.

[_MeDotOrg]

One thing I've always wanted to have in a movie: Have someone answer the phone, say "You've got the wrong number", hang up, and just have the show continue. Everything is on purpose in a movie. Even the accidents are on purpose.