Movie viewing etiquette 101 should be required class

I go to a lot of movies – mainly because part of my job requires me to write a weekly movie review but also because I love them – and I see a wide variety of behavior by other filmgoers. Most people know the basic rules of movie etiquette, but based on a few experiences I’ve had this year I believe some people need a few lessons.
Rule No. 1: Turn off your cell phones. It seems as though everyone, including children, own one, and many of them have unique, if not annoying, ring tones. This is not a difficult rule to follow, as a reminder is displayed on screen before the movie begins. I usually remember to turn off mine beforehand, even though it is usually on vibrate anyway, but if I forget, that convenient reminder works perfectly well.
I’ve seen my fair share of cell phones ringing while watching movies, and this last weekend, while watching “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with a medium-sized audience, a cell phone belonging to a lady one row in front of me went off. It was loud and annoying, especially since it happened during one of the film’s more dramatic moments, and was even more annoying since the lady fumbled through her purse and jacket looking for her cell phone.
The lady could have been forgiven for the mistake had she not broken the next rule.
Rule No. 2: Don’t answer your phone if it does go off. Turn it off. That’s simple enough; it doesn’t need anymore explanation.
However, the lady watching “Benjamin Button” didn’t obey this rule. She tried to answer it, but since she fumbled around looking for her phone, she missed the call. Instead of leaving the theater to call this person back, or simply checking her messages to see if the call was important, she called back the person and spoke at a volume people would normally talk if they were in the privacy of their own homes.
Rule No. 3: Let rude people know they are being rude.
To my amusement and pleasure, the people around the rude lady let her know she should shut up. The first person to let her know told her to “Be quiet, this is a movie.” The next person simply said “shut up.” I let out a great big “shhhhhhhhh.”
She kept talking, apparently oblivious to our reprimands. As she kept talking, the scolding got bolder and meaner, to the point the lady finally left the theater, kicking over the popcorn of the gentleman she was with. Although the film wasn’t over, she never returned, or she moved to the back of the theater in fear we might have gone after her. In either case, the gentleman she was with didn’t care enough to check on her as he remained in his seat for the rest of the movie. He probably agreed with us.
Rule No. 4: Don’t bring children to movies for adults.
I’ve been to a number of movies this year that were either “R” rated or “PG-13” and parents brought along their small children. At “The Dark Knight” this summer during a sold-out show, a couple brought along their 3-year-old daughter, who didn’t want to be there as she made it clear to everyone in the theater by crying and yelling.
Instead of taking her home as he should have, the father yelled at her and then took her outside, only to return a few minutes later where it happened all over again.
My 3-year-old would love to watch a “Batman” movie, too, but I won’t even let him watch it at home as it’s too dark and too violent. Why these parents allowed a little girl to watch it is beyond my knowledge, but needless to say other people watching the film followed Rule No. 3 and let them know they should leave. They didn’t, but at least they were told.
Rule No. 5: When the theater is nearly empty, don’t sit in front of other people.
I’m not sure if this should be a required rule, but I abide by it and wish others would, too. It’s not that it’s too difficult to see over a person’s head, especially with the way most theaters are made now, but when the rest of theater is empty, give others some space as a courtesy.
Rule No. 6: Don’t talk during the movie.
I contemplated not even putting this rule on my list, as it should be common sense, but several weeks ago my wife and I had to switch seats because people behind us were constantly talking. When they didn’t quiet down after we told them so, we moved. We shouldn’t have had to been the ones that moved, though.
Rule No. 7: Comments about and reactions to the movie are appreciated if they don’t interrupt other people’s viewing pleasure.
Part of the joy of watching movies in the theater is seeing how others react to the movie. Personally, I love it when the audience claps, cheers, groans, laughs and really gets into the movie. Bad movies are made better when people express their dismay, and cheering at good movies makes them events that are worth more than the price of admission.
During “Benjamin Button” at a scene when Cate Blanchett tells Brad Pitt to be with her, he responds with one word: “absolutely.” It was a good scene, but it was made even better when a person a few rows behind me said loudly, “Good answer.”
Please note these comments and reactions are not appreciated if they are wrong or interruptive.
Rule No. 8: Don’t be a pig.
Popcorn is a great treat to eat while watching a movie. Just don’t be a pig while eating it. Use the same manners you would use at the dinner table. Don’t chew with your mouth open and don’t let everyone around you hear you as you eat. My 3-year-old can do this, so most people should be able to follow this rule. But based on some of the sounds I’ve heard from people around me, table manners were a lesson they skipped.
Rule No. 9: Leave the theater for more snacks or the bathroom during scenes of less importance.
This rule benefits both the person leaving the theater and others watching it for a number of reasons. By timing these breaks right, people won’t miss scenes of critical importance that may require them to ask others “What happened?” breaking Rule No. 6. People that may need to move for them or who are blocked from seeing the movie when these people get up will also not have to worry about missing anything critical.
If you’re not sure about the best time to leave a theater, wait until a scene of critical importance. It’s usually followed by one that’s not so crucial.
Rule No. 10: Don’t talk about “Fight Club.”
Sorry, I had to throw that one in. It’s not really a rule, but it’s a line from a great film (“Fight Club”) that seemed appropriate after my little lecture about movie etiquette.
Enjoy your next movie in the theater and remember these rules. Now, I need to come up with some similar rules about driving.