a lot of my enjoyment is linked to thematic meaning of a thing, actually. (not all of it--i enjoy many things with inherently stupid messages, haha.) like, i think no country for old men is in many respects a brilliant film, but i don't like it and can't recommend it because of what i got out of it thematically. yes, it gave me something to think about, but it also made me feel sick to my stomach and upset for several days afterward. maybe that was the intention of the filmmakers.

on the other hand, something like dancer in the dark made me want to die after watching it, but i enjoyed the experience because of all the things it was saying thematically about the awful things that happened, and the way it said them.

i'm not positive that this explanation makes sense, but i find asking myself that question to be v. interesting, so thanks!

(my examples are always movies, because that's how i roll; i realize that's not how you roll: sorry! :/)