
Another cliche that I thought had run its course is the Slow Clap. You know how it works: Someone gives a dramatic speech in front of a crowd. There are a few moments of silence. Then one person begins applauding, slowly at first, then picking up speed, and the rest of the audience gradually joins in, culminating in a tumultuous standing ovation. (A YouTube compilation of several such moments can be found after the jump.) Not Another Teen Movie mocked this cliche rather thoroughly back in 2001, vocalizing a thought that moviegoers had had in the back of their minds for a long time -- i.e., the Slow Clap is stupid -- and filmmakers have gradually been shamed into not using it anymore.
But now Love Happens is bringing it back, old school! The semi-romantic semi-drama, set to open Friday (unless this lawsuit prevents it), employs innumerable trite cliches over the course of its running time, but none so egregious as the Slow Clap.