I just saw an ad this evening on TBS for an upcoming showing of the three Lord of the Rings films. The theme of the ad was Sam and Frodo's friendship--so you see them calling out to one another, gazing into one another's eyes, etc. There's even a moment when Gandalf looks sideways at them as though he's surprised to see their affection for each other (interesting given Ian McKellen's recent comments on Jake Gyllenhaal's supposed reticence in kissing Heath Ledger). The final scene shows them clutching each other and crying, with an obvious nod to the final time Ennis and Jack see each other in BBM. This isn't the only BBM-type ad I've seen--there was one on HBO a couple of months ago that took place in a tent (not sure what it was advertising, though).
So what I'm wondering is: how should we interpret such ads? Are these tributes to BBM's pervasive influence/presence--or unkind parodies? Do such allusions diminish the film's impact? Would love to hear others' thoughts on this.
peace--
