Isolation. Separation. Loneliness. Lost love, or the fear that you'll never find it. Most people have filled those shoes to the fullest at one time or another. A remake of a 1977 Japanese version by the same title, this sweet film follows three strangers, each dealing with their own issues of not belonging to anything. Joining up on a ferry and suddenly caught in a rain storm together, bonds begin to form. Sensing the dark thoughts that they each have in common, the trio spend several days travelling through Louisiana together...and find themselves getting to the heart of their problems at the same time.
The largest messages of this film are acceptance and forgiveness. The three main characters are pretty odd and anti-social. Yet, each of them is seeking the same love and acceptance as all the rest of us. And not finding it. Loving someone, despite all of their flaws, is what real, true love is all about. Being able to forgive and continue to love when those flaws come flashing to the surface is the challenge.
Hurt's character, Brett, is so dear, and his story is so sad, but sweet. As the details are slowly revealed throughout the film, I found myself desperately hoping that he would find the redemption and forgiveness that he so clearly deserved. I could only gasp when the reason for his punishments (both legal and self-imposed) are revealed. I just wanted to wrap him up in a big blanket, make him some cocoa, and tell him it would be okay.
The world can be a cold, hard place, and forgiveness can be hard to come by. Genuine acceptance for exactly who we are, with no exceptions, almost impossible to find. The Yellow Handkerchief stands to me as a reminder that we have to be willing to give love before we are going to get it. Give acceptance, before we can truly feel it. Ask for love, to maybe find that we already had it.
Listed as a 2008 film, it saw limited release and didn't hit the US until 2010--in only a handful of theaters. That's part of the purpose of this blog: to get attention for films like this that fall by the wayside.With wonderful performances by William Hurt, Mario Bello, and Eddie Redmayne (Pillars of the Earth), it seems crazy that I've never seen anything about this movie. Even Kristen Stewart (playing the same angsty girl she always does) does a solid job.
Independent films do have a slower pace than most Hollywood-fare, but that's not a bad thing. Devoting a couple of hours to watching individuals grow and overcome their fears is time well spent. It can teach us life-lessons. It is chocolate media for your soul!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0954990/ for more information
very mild PG-13
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Secret of Moonacre
We stumbled across this gem mainly because I was intrigued by the cast. Put Tim Curry, Ioan Gruffudd, and Juliet Stevenson together, and you have my attention. Add in a magical kingdom and a unicorn and a precocious little girl who saves everyone, and it's family movie night!
Plot and details, you can find at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi819725081/.
While my husband and older daughter had some fun being snarky (I believe there was some comment about Mr. Fantastic and Frankenfurter being at war), my 12 year-old LOVED it. Now, I'm sure she is influenced by the fact that she's pretty sure she is a fairy princess stuck on earth--and that she would love to be a Moon Princess herself--but she also delighted in the romance, courage, and willingness to defy authority that is demanding allegiance for the wrong reasons.
Maria Merryweather's job is ultimately to reunite two epically-feuding families, who have been at odds for centuries and have only a few days to get it together before a curse will destroy them. There are bitter lovers to soften and pride to be melted. The happily-ever-after ending left my daughter all a-squiggle.
The Lessons? There is no grudge too big or long-standing that is cannot be healed. Greed can make you blind, but it can be overcome. Pride can bring ruination to love, but it can be redeemed. And it can happen in a moment, even for the gruffest and hard-hearted.
From magical pearls and a dog/lion protector to a dottering/belching nanny and a chef from Wonkaland, this film is a delight. From my home to yours, I highly recommend it as magical chocolate for the soul.
Plot and details, you can find at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi819725081/.
While my husband and older daughter had some fun being snarky (I believe there was some comment about Mr. Fantastic and Frankenfurter being at war), my 12 year-old LOVED it. Now, I'm sure she is influenced by the fact that she's pretty sure she is a fairy princess stuck on earth--and that she would love to be a Moon Princess herself--but she also delighted in the romance, courage, and willingness to defy authority that is demanding allegiance for the wrong reasons.
Maria Merryweather's job is ultimately to reunite two epically-feuding families, who have been at odds for centuries and have only a few days to get it together before a curse will destroy them. There are bitter lovers to soften and pride to be melted. The happily-ever-after ending left my daughter all a-squiggle.
The Lessons? There is no grudge too big or long-standing that is cannot be healed. Greed can make you blind, but it can be overcome. Pride can bring ruination to love, but it can be redeemed. And it can happen in a moment, even for the gruffest and hard-hearted.
From magical pearls and a dog/lion protector to a dottering/belching nanny and a chef from Wonkaland, this film is a delight. From my home to yours, I highly recommend it as magical chocolate for the soul.
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