No – this is not a post about the Beatles. It’s about the wonder and magic and endlessly enchanting internal journey that is my love of film. It’s why I write this blog – to give voice to and share that private and personal world of living stories in the dark.
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| Watching Movies: It's personal in public |
Watching movies is such a curious experience. On one hand, you can share it with those in a theater (or sitting around a TV set). On the other, it is deeply personal. A look, a gesture, a snippet of a song can reach your heart in a way that echoes your own personal experience. Like a small tremor or a large earthquake, you can be shaken by the power of film.
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| Feeling the power |
Unlike life, film never changes (though our reaction to it may). Bad day at the office? Cary Grant will always rescue Eva Marie Saint at the end of “North by Northwest.” Dog ate your homework? The Blind Girl will always see Chaplin at the end of “City Lights.” Spouse being a real took bag? The beans always win around the campfire in “Blazing Saddles.” People can let you down, but the movies never do.
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| The beans never fail |
As with all art, it is what you bring to the experience that makes it unique. For instance, I have had a somewhat roller-coaster relationship with Irene Dunne, mainly because she looks like my mother. Now that I am older, I appreciate the hell out of her and treasure her in every way. But, not so much as a stupid kid. As for Shirley MacLaine, I should adore her. She has never offended me in any way and is generally a delight. However, she has the bad fortune of reminding me of someone who I can’t abide. Poor Shirley – I always have to steel myself before giving into your considerable charm!
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| More than a star, more than an actress |
While I can appreciate great visuals and even technological trickery, it is always the power of human emotions that draws me in. Film is the greatest canvas of the human face and the thousand of emotions that it betrays.
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| The beauty of the human face |
In December I will be participating in the CMBA Blogathon called Film Passion 101, which encourages us to share that first movie that got us hooked on classic film (for me it was James Cagney in “The Public Enemy.”). That was quite some time ago (no – I did not see the original release in 1931!) but not much has changed for me. I've been thinking about my relationship with film a lot lately and it amazes me that I am still moved by the power of film, new and old. It is constant, it is fixed, it is forever.
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| You'd didn't think I'd forget him did you? Another love that endures! |
17 comments:
That's very beautifully written. Thanks for sharing!
You expressed the bond with film that many of us share so eloquently. The camera takes us where nothing else can.
Gal, what a wonderful heartfelt post!
You described well how the experience of the same film can be different for every person, as well as the escapism we can have through film.
Unfortunately I'm not part of CMBA, but I'll surely reaad your post for this blogathon in December!
Kisses!
Nice Blog post.
Our reactions to some movies evolve, as you say, as our tastes and values change. Others always evoke the same response, perhaps because there are ways in which we don't change.
There were some classic films I liked even as a kid, but I didn't become a classic film fan per se until I was past 30. Three Cornered Moon was the one that did it. Watching it was my sister's idea. It was a good one.
Terrific post and so true for me, too, in many ways. I don't re-read books and the way I feel about a song is almost always reflective of my state of mind when it was popular. But movies are different. It was on the fourth viewing, later in life, that MARNIE suddenly struck me as a great movie. Go figure. Watching movies continues to be a surprising and incredibly enjoyable experience.
There is nothing like the 'Magical Mystery Tour' of movies, is there?
You say it all - and beautifully - Marsha.
Very nice reminder Marsha, of how eternally fresh movies are. You have me thinking again about the CMBA blogothon - but I still don't know which of my many inspirations to choosex from. I'll see if it comes to me in a dream.
"The power of human emotions" indeed!
Am really looking forward to this blogathon. It'll be sooo interesting to see the movies everyone chooses.
Hi!!
Sorry to leave a message here but I don't have your contact info otherwise. Here's me email address, can you send me a line so I have yours? I want to get the final What A Character! blogathon schedule out in a day or two. :) Thanks!
Aurora from Once Upon a Screen
citizenscreenclassics@gmail.com
Danny - thank you - such a nice compliment.
So true, CW - so true.
Thank you, Le! I know you feel the same way.
Thank you, Richard. It's funny how time can alter our appreciation, isn't it?
Rick - I know exactly what you mean about MARNIE. I dismissed it as lesser Hitchcock for so long until one day it hit me how awesome a film it is.
Lady Eve - thank you. It has been a great journey.
Christian - I'll bet that dream will be draped in Adrian....
Silver Screenings - me, too. It will be fun to see what inspired us!
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