What Makes a Boston Movie a Boston Movie?
Briefly

The latest episode of Decoder Ring delves into the phenomenon of the 'Boston movie'—a genre highlighting the city's distinct culture, history, and class conflicts. Featuring guests like film critic Ty Burr and linguist Danny Erker, the episode explores iconic films such as 'Good Will Hunting' and 'Mystic River.' Discussions also cover the role of Boston accents, influential actors, and how the city became an almost mythic backdrop for Hollywood storytelling, despite its smaller population compared to other U.S. cities. The episode reflects on how these films encapsulate and project Boston's rich cultural narrative.
Why does a city smaller than El Paso or Jacksonville loom so large in the cinematic imagination? What makes a Boston movie a Boston movie?
We discuss the importance of race and class to the Boston movie and the city itself, the role of homegrown movie stars like Ben Affleck and Mark Wahlberg.
Read at Slate Magazine
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