Reading facial expression and body language in films

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Do you have a hard time understanding characters in films and TV dramas, reading their gestures and faces. I think I may be slower to process the action, I find reading people most difficult when they are talking to me and connecting with me, there is less pressure when you watch people communicate in a film.

I can very easily understand such expressions.

Tim

I have trouble telling characters apart. I'll be watching the telly, and have to ask my wife "who's this then?"

I have trouble with TV characters. I can't keep track of the names/faces easily, especially if I'm trying to follow the dialogue as well. I never knew why, but I always preferred to have closed captioning on the TV-- I think reading the dialogue (in addition to hearing it) helps me keep track of things better somehow. I'll still mix up certain characters if they're similar-looking, but less often. Maybe it's just a matter of it forcing me to pay attention.

I think I also enjoy procedural dramas (ReGenesis, L&O:SVU, House) more than sitcoms (which I rarely watch) because crime or medical stories tend to focus on technical details more than character development. Even though plenty of character interaction takes place, you don't necessarily need to comprehend all of it to enjoy whatever story-of-the-week the episode is about.

I always get muddled up with Jeff Bridges and Kurt Russell!

I realised when I was watching a film the other day that I focus on the objects in the room, the wallpaper, peripheral detail thats of no use to the plot or dialogue!! Pure lack of focus.