Posted on 01/29/2005 7:48:01 PM PST by Hildy
Robert De Niro and American Express are being criticized for a new 30-second TV ad airing in the U.S. and the U.K. which includes shots of the now barren site of the World Trade Center. In the ad, directed by Martin Scorsese, De Niro walks through New York, referring to "My East .. my West Side." When he arrives at Ground Zero, he remarks, "My heartbreak." (The spot's tagline is: "My life. My card.") Brand Republic, an online publication covering advertising and marketing, said that the spot is drawing flak for exploiting the 9/11 tragedy.
I've seen the ad a few times and think it's both poignant and tasteful. While the ad doesn't make me want to apply for an AMEX, It makes me want to visit NYC again.
I think it's a great ad. Well-written, and photographed, and nothing exploitative at all.
No different, or maybe less so; than either political party using it for campaign purposes.
The commercial is very well done. Totally respectful and not offensive. It's not like he's saying "our prices are coming down like the towers".
To tell you the truth, DeNiro hasn't made a good movie in quite a long time...his newest one is getting horrible reviews (The thriller with Dakota Fanning). He's getting a reputation of being a hack. Taking movies just for the money. NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT! Just name the last good movie DeNiro was in. He is a good actor, that's not in question.
They made a commercial about the city, and included the most important thing that's happened in the city for the last 30 years. You've got two choices: they use it or they pretend it never happened, which do you like better? Personally I think way too many people are in denial about 9/11, I appreciate the fact that neither AmEx nor DeNiro are in that list.
Most ads are generally bankrupt anyway, trying to link emotions to their brand name. American Express trying to cash in (promote it's image) by linking itself to 9/11 through the financial genius of a Movie actor (sarcasm)... well if you think about it for a nanosecond, it's all vapor.
No matter how "tastefully done" AMEX is using 911 to sell something and that is crass.
Hows that any different than all the rah-rah-America commercials that came out the end of 2001?
The AMEX part of the commercial is unobtrusive; the message compelling; the cinematography astounding. Now AMEX is doing a rah-rah New York commercial when it's no longer hip to do so. Good for them.
It's not outrageous that it's for Amex. Is that too capitalistic for you or something? Why are people acting like the Jersey Girls over this? sheesh
WELL STATED! (The ad is just 'so New York', too. And I happen to like Robert DiNiro whatever his political view.) [So there.] :o)
I've seen it and I don't see the problem. September 11, 2001, 9-11-01 or 9-11...it REALLY happened. DEAL WITH IT.
I've seen the ad a bunch of times and it's perfectly okay.
The ad is about DeNiro and his feelings about life, living, and New York as a New Yorker. It's part of a "My Card" series and other ads focus on other creative types and what matters to them. Though an AMEX costumer, I hate the ad but it has nothing to do with "911 exploitation" I just don't think it's a very good ad and that whole New Yorker pompousness puts me off. Other ads in the series I like more.
I had a friend who worked at Merrill Lynch and was quite afraid for his life that morning, we lost a few Freepers that day as well. No one owns 9-11. Not Bush. Not AA, United, the PITA *professional widows* from the 911 commission hearings... And if New Yorkers DeNiro and Scorsese felt this ad best reflected the theme, which is DeNiro's New York, who are we to attack them for it?
Find something else to bitch about. Please.
google + quest for truth = facts.
(I'm not practicing the "give a man a fish/teach a man to fish" philosophy here. It's just I'm not sure your questions to me are genuine and I'm weary of such "debate" tactics after this long election campaign (cam-pain, lol).
Sorry if I'm wrong. If so, you are right to want to know the facts. I know them yet I posted not to educate but just to have a representation of truth among the ill informed reactions I had seen posted.
If you know where the AMEX building is in Manhattan, that alone might give you an indication of their sincerity. They were -the- corporate player in the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks. They continue to nourish USA/NYC pride and resolve by example and contributions of time, money, talent, and spirit. But like I said. Don't take my word for it.
And for God's sake... stop using this word! Everything is a "tragedy" these days. I'm sick to death of it.
Let's try catastrophe, attack, massmurder, Islamo-fascist caused cataclysm for starters when it comes to 9/11.
I suspect that folks (myself included) are getting sick of corporate public relations ads - trying make themselves look good when the audience knows that corporations are pretty much amoral institutions required by shareholders to generate return on investment. If there is no self interest in ads like this one, why doesn't Amex just take it's name completely off it? But altruism is not the name of the game and people are offended when a company tries to make us believe it is. Many folks are annoyed by others telling us how wonderful they are.
I think the commercial is very moving. Its a love note from DeNiro to the city, with a moment to acknowledge the wound. We need to remember, and this should not be the only time that we see ground zero on television.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.