What do you think the best entertainment actually does for us, beyond just passing the time?

A natural way to answer

Beyond distraction, I think great entertainment builds empathy. When a story lets you live inside someone else's experience, you come away a little more understanding. The best of it holds a mirror up to us, showing us truths we might otherwise overlook.

Key phrases to use

• strikes a chord — connects with your feelings or experience in a meaningful way“That scene really struck a chord with me.”
• take the edge off — make something unpleasant feel less severe“A comedy takes the edge off a hard day.”
• holds a mirror up to — reflects the truth about something so we can see it clearly“Great satire holds a mirror up to society.”
• resonates long after — continues to affect you emotionally well beyond the moment“A great film resonates long after it ends.”