Reeling 3

I saw a movie today called Change in the Air. I am starting to feel freer about making these viewing choices (as opposed to feeling like a dreadful commitment, and the pressure of picking something that is not "a waste of time").

Well earlier I did see one that was a complete waste of time, called Love Wedding Repeat. I love weddings. I know, it's such a cliché for women. But weddings have always filled me with hope - not hope that I, too, could be hitched someday, during my most jaded days, but hope, that, humans are capable of love, such depths of love that is the one redeeming quality of humankind. That maybe we are not, as a species, destined for doom.

But this movie, seemingly promising at first, with beautiful people including Olivia Munn, whom I love, had no redeeming quality. It was stupid. Period. Sadly, concluding this half way through, I still needed to know how it ended. Thank goodness for the fast forward button. Trust me when I say the integrity of the film was not lost.

Back to Change in the Air, though. It was a bit slow-paced at first, but there were enough twists to pique one's curiosity. In the end I was pleasantly surprised. It is one of those art house productions that are subject to interpretation. It could be spiritual, religious, paranormal... a little bit of each? Use your imagination. Is it a fairy tale? Does it defy labeling? There will not be one finite answer, but it is thought-provoking and uplifting in a refreshing, non-Hollywood way.

We watched films like this in art school. We were encouraged to discuss our personal take. I loved those assignments. I could easily write an essay (and get an A, too) while others struggle. Symbolism was my cup of tea. I could guess what the writer was thinking and feeling. I could get in character, be those characters, feel the interaction and emotions. To feel abundantly is both a blessing and a curse.

Incidentally, the person who wrote the screenplay of  Change in the Air also directed. What's with writers who feel the need to direct? I guess no other candidate could share their vision quite so.

Mostly I am turning to movies these days, I suppose, to be reminded of what life used to be, when it was "normal". When people could go outside without fearing for their lives. When we weren't all confined in our homes so that we wouldn't kill each other with the simple act of breathing.

My therapist used to say when we use entertainment or a hobby as an escape, even if it is something seemingly innocuous and "healthy" as reading a novel, it can become a crutch. And we are not dealing with the real issue. Well, to that I say, "Pick your battle!" There are worse crutches. Bite me.