It's not always clear whether the filmmaker intends our alienation or is even aware of it.

Americans should be ashamed of how aflutter they get about Downton Abbey - it's unpatriotic. I seem to remember we fought a revolution so as not to put up with this nonsense, where notions of station are so unforgiving that upper and lower echelons are practically different species.

As a genre, the noir of post-World War II was based on characters who were weak or repellent, bound to let down us and themselves.

Steve Erickson Quotes