Thursday, November 03, 2005
the squid and the whale
i just watched the movie "the squid and the whale," a drama/comedy about a family falling into dissolution. it has strong language, and a few moments of "adult situations" that'd likely make much of this group squirm, (at least it sure did to me) but it was incredible how much i could relate to the two boys in the movie who were left bewildered and without guidence by their parents' seperation and subsequent divorce. while the younger, more outwardly distraught of the two kids went on to develop severe social problems at school, the older did as well, but was able to cloak his anguish when he was around other people. the various ways that the characters of the movie reacted to this life changing event seemed all very accurate, and even in some cases very familiar. one example of which would be the first time the audience sees the father's new house. it is sparsely furnished, a little run down, and in lieu of a familiar warmth that accompanies a home, there are all sorts of mawkish symbols, like a poster on a wall, and especially of the "lefty desk," (you'd have to see the movie to get the humor in this) trying to force a new home-like habitat for the confused kids. that was a common experience for me. those who can enjoy a movie even with very harsh language and über awkward moments are highly encouraged to watch this flick.
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Often, robage, as is now the case, your posts are deeply affecting. I am sure that this will bring some interesting conversations around the edges. Kind of makes me hungry--can we go to Mimi's if it's not Basile Day?
ReplyDeleteNote that those adult situations are so much more managable when in a movie that when they have to be face in person.
Thanks for writing about this movie. It lead me to go see it. I also think it was very familiar. I also thought it captured that loss of of warmth that we attach to "home". Both boys lost that but in different ways. The "mom" was lost from their home, while dad didn't have any idea how to make him new dwelling into a "home". I think we all want a "home" and a "mom" and "dad". When events take those things away those are a huge loss.
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