Thread: добрый фильм

How you say "добрый фильм" in English? It means that the film rouses kind feelings, love to humankind and such.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

How you say "добрый фильм" in English? It means that the film rouses kind feelings, love to humankind and such.

Chick-flick




(Just kidding, just kidding )


What's wrong with "a (very) kind movie/film"?

Or, as some people I know would say, "It is a kind of film that makes you feel warm and fuzzy"

Originally Posted by translations.nm.ru

What's wrong with "a (very) kind movie/film"?

I thought it would sound weird in English.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by translations.nm.ru

What's wrong with "a (very) kind movie/film"?

I thought it would sound weird in English.

It does sound a bit weird. Your instincts serve you well.

Hollywood doesn't make many movies like that, or at least good movies like that. So warm-fuzzy movies are usually labeled "sappy", "saccharine", or "chick flick". If it's pretty good, you might call it "sweet" or "feel-good".

I guess, "feel-good movie" is the best I can come up with.

"Добрый фильм" doesn't mean saccharine or sappy and it isn't necessarily aimed at women audience, so most of the other English synonyms I know won't do, they are too negative.

Originally Posted by Matroskin Kot

I guess, "feel-good movie" is the best I can come up with.

Thank you, Matroskin! I'll use it.
BTW, does "kind film" sound strange to you? Would native English speaker understand what this is supposed to mean?

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

"Добрый фильм" doesn't mean saccharine or sappy and it isn't necessarily aimed at women audience, so most of the other English synonyms I know won't do, they are too negative.

Oh, I know that's not what it means, but I was just telling you what that kind of movie is called if it isn't done really well.

Thank you, Matroskin! I'll use it.
BTW, does "kind film" sound strange to you? Would native English speaker understand what this is supposed to mean?

Всегда пожалуйста. I think he would understand, but it sounds "foreign" because we don't call things kind.

P.S. Can you give an example of a Western film that would qualify as "добрый"?

Originally Posted by Matroskin Kot

I think he would understand, but it sounds "foreign" because we don't call things kind.

Thanks, that's what I thought.

P.S. Can you give an example of a Western film that would qualify as "добрый"?

It's an interesting question. I'll try to come up with a few titles.

Я думаю, что "a feel-good movie" подходит.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

How you say "добрый фильм" in English? It means that the film rouses kind feelings, love to humankind and such. :D

"It's a classic film" is a more natural expression, although the meaning is not exact. It depends on whether the meaning must be translated exactly.

"classic film"..... doean't mean it is an old film, it means it was well thought out and will always be popular.

This type of film makes people feel good because they feel comfortable with it. But, of course this does not mean it is about being good or kind. Some James Bond films could be called classic. Other classics could be cult films like "The Blues Brothers", but of course it is all a matter of opinion. I think Mr Bean films are probably classic.

"A feel-good movie " is the more exact translation, but it sounds too odd. Newspapers talk about "the feel-good factor" when the economy is doing well and people are happy to spend lots of money.

Originally Posted by Mandy

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

How you say "добрый фильм" in English? It means that the film rouses kind feelings, love to humankind and such.

"It's a classic film" is a more natural expression, although the meaning is not exact. It depends on whether the meaning must be translated exactly.

"classic film"..... doean't mean it is an old film, it means it was well thought out and will always be popular.

This type of film makes people feel good because they feel comfortable with it. But, of course this does not mean it is about being good or kind. Some James Bond films could be called classic. Other classics could be cult films like "The Blues Brothers", but of course it is all a matter of opinion. I think Mr Bean films are probably classic.

"A feel-good movie " is the more exact translation, but it sounds too odd. Newspapers talk about "the feel-good factor" when the economy is doing well and people are happy to spend lots of money.

Sorry mandy, but you're talking rubbish.

"A classic movie" is nothing to do with добрый фильм. It means "feel-good movie".

Originally Posted by Mandy

[...]
"classic film"..... doean't mean it is an old film, it means it was well thought out and will always be popular.

This type of film makes people feel good because they feel comfortable with it. But, of course this does not mean it is about being good or kind. Some James Bond films could be called classic. Other classics could be cult films like "The Blues Brothers", but of course it is all a matter of opinion. I think Mr Bean films are probably classic.

"A feel-good movie " is the more exact translation, but it sounds too odd. ...

I understand what you mean, but "classic" and "добрый" are not the same.

James Bond may be classic, but it's most definitely not "kind". I'd say it's the exact opposite. In Russian we can call it a "культовый фильм" ("cult film", though we use this term slightly different than it's used in English), but never "добрый".

And if "a feel-good movie" sounds odd, does anybody have better suggestion?

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by Mandy

[...]
"classic film"..... doean't mean it is an old film, it means it was well thought out and will always be popular.

This type of film makes people feel good because they feel comfortable with it. But, of course this does not mean it is about being good or kind. Some James Bond films could be called classic. Other classics could be cult films like "The Blues Brothers", but of course it is all a matter of opinion. I think Mr Bean films are probably classic.

"A feel-good movie " is the more exact translation, but it sounds too odd. ...

I understand what you mean, but "classic" and "добрый" are not the same.

James Bond may be classic, but it's most definitely not "kind". I'd say it's the exact opposite. In Russian we can call it a "культовый фильм" ("cult film", though we use this term slightly different than it's used in English), but never "добрый".

And if "a feel-good movie" sounds odd, does anybody have better suggestion?

It doesn't sound odd :P
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... e%22&meta=

The above google link demostrates how it's used by movie reviewers and such all the time.

Originally Posted by TATY

It doesn't sound odd :P
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... e%22&meta=

The above google link demostrates how it's used by movie reviewers and such all the time.

OK, I admit defeat! If it is the term used in reviews then it is definately the correct way to translate dobri film. I just felt there was a certain connotation attached to "feel good". It doesn't really imply kindness to others.... it implies more self satisfaction, but maybe this is what the film is supposed to do.

Originally Posted by Mandy

I just felt there was a certain connotation attached to "feel good".

+1 по этой строчке.
Мне тоже кажется, что "fell-good movie" - буквально фильм, "навивающие позитивные воспоминания". Но этот вовсе не обязательно, что фильм "был добрым". Т.е. "добрый фильм", это буквально фильм, в котором чувствуется уют, доброта, какая-то "домашность". И именно по этой причине он вызывает "позитивные воспоминания". Я конечно не знаю, как это на взгляд английских носителей, но по мне, так "fell-good" более широкое понятие и не выражает сути.

Nobody would call a film/movie "kind." Are you saying that добрый фильм is a perfectly good Russian expression.

Никто не назвал бы фильм «kind». Вы хотите сказать, что «добрый фильм» совершенно нормальное русское выражение? Какие фильмы -- Ирония судьба? Кукушка?

There is a "schmaltzy film" as well.

Originally Posted by chaika

Are you saying that добрый фильм is a perfectly good Russian expression.

"Добрый фильм", "добрая книга", "добрая пьеса", "добрая сказка" are all perfectly fine Russian.
"Ирония судьбы" can be very well called "добрый фильм." "Покровские ворота" is another movie that comes to mind.
"Малыш и Карлсон" is definitely a "добрая книга."

Originally Posted by chaika

Nobody would call a film/movie "kind." Are you saying that добрый фильм is a perfectly good Russian expression.

Никто не назвал бы фильм «kind». Вы хотите сказать, что «добрый фильм» совершенно нормальное русское выражение? Какие фильмы -- Ирония судьба? Кукушка?

Exactly. And it's common.

Originally Posted by TATY

There is a "schmaltzy film" as well.

No way, it's not the same, and again "schmaltzy" is negative.
"Добрый фильм" is always an honest praise, no sneer intended. It can be drama or comedy, but it's a movie that makes you want (even if for an hour or two) to be a better person, a kinder one, or makes you feel generous, mellow or just more optimistic. Well, something like that.

Goody, schmoody. There's no direct equivalent as I can see it.