The Heat of Battle – Human Reactions & Unlikely Weapons

Memorial Day is just around the corner and in observance of the holiday I plan to take on “The Deer Hunter” (1978). I’ve never seen this movie (insert shocked gasp here) and avoid most movies having to do with Viet Nam (except Forrest Gump dealt with other historical events besides that political conflict). I’m wondering how I’m going to handle three hours of this subject matter but I’m willing to take it on in my pursuit of fully appreciating the career of Meryl Streep. The male relationship part of the movie should be enlightening especially since the reviews I’ve read indicate that they seem to be very realistic. I do know that adversity changes people and that some people come away from it stronger while others are devastated by their emotional scars.

In addition to observing Streep’s performance, I am also looking forward to seeing what Robert De Niro brings to the table. He has scared the heck out of me (The Fan), made me laugh so hard that it brought tears to my eyes (We’re No Angels) and touched my heart (Awakenings). I am very anxious to see how his performance adds to the movie.

Sort of off topic, but speaking of conflict (see Viet Nam above), I was out at the used bookstore yesterday trying to get my daughter a replacement Judy Blume book for her school book report (her copy is most likely lost in the jungle she calls a room). A mother with two young children was there and even though I thought they were behaving, she was after them to stay quiet and behave. As she had reached her limit with them, she started herding them towards the door. The little girl got annoyed with her brother and gave him a little whack. Not to be outmatched by his older sister, junior grabbed the first book he could find and whacked her back. The little family exited and the unassuming young man who works in the store went to put the impromptu weapon back on the shelf shaking his head all the while and bemoaning that books were peaceful things. As he picked up the volume to reshelf it, he noted with despair that it was Jane Austin’s “Sense and Sensibility.”

“What would Jane think?” he asked with despair. Perhaps only that the little hellion needed a little sense….and sensibility. Or maybe that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

Julia, 1977 – Meryl’s First (but not so great) Movie

What is it about this movie that warranted critical acclaim? Why was it nominated for 11 Academy Awards? What Am I Missing? Maybe I am simply spoiled by the fact that actors have vastly improved their craft since the late 70’s. Whatever the reason, I would not trouble yourself to watch this movie other than to assuage your curiosity about Meryl’s first movie. Her part in it is very small and so hectically shot that it’s difficult to tell much of anything about her acting skill at that time other than she’s great at accents.

Below is a Movie Synopsis which outlines the general story line:

DVD Synopsis

The film traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and Julia, a wealthy girl who turns her back on her upbringing to follow her ideals. In the 1930s, while the adult Hellman (Jane Fonda) struggles to establish herself as a playwright with the help of her lover, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) battles the exigencies of the Nazi regime. Visiting Julia in Germany, Lillian realizes how much her friend’s idealism has cost her, both physically and financially. Lillian is asked by Julia’s friend Johann (Maximilian Schell) to smuggle a large sum of money from Paris to Germany, the better to combat the Nazis from within. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and four acting awards, Julia won for Alvin Sargent’s screenplay and Robards’ and Redgrave’s performances, leading to Redgrave’s infamous “Zionist hoodlums” acceptance speech. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The first sentence in the synopsis happens to be the first sticking point that troubled me about the movie – just what was the relationship between Lillian & Julia? Are they school chums? Distant cousins? What? It is never clearly defined in the movie. They share a meal at the palatial home of Julia’s aloof, elderly, filthy rich grandparents who do not acknowledge Lillian. One is left to assume who they are to each other. I hate that.

The movie begins with Lillian (Jane Fonda) struggling to write a play, throwing tantrums about not making any progress on it and generally being a pain in the ass to her patient, but apathetic lover who is played by Jason Robards. His is the only performance in the movie that feels genuine, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Robards who I thought gave a wonderful performance as Max Dugan and whose 40 years in the movie industry speaks volumes about his popularity and cinematic dexterity. Fonda on the other hand just comes across as loud, whiney and demanding. It is impossible to care about her writer’s block.

From there one is plunged into a series of past/present sequences which is supposed to illustrate the development of the friendship between the two girls as they mature but this too falls very flat. It’s more of a skeleton of how a relationship grows rather than defining moments or commonality which would normally draw two people together as friends. Finally they reach adulthood with Lillian pursuing a career in writing and Julia becoming an activist against the nazi movement. Lillian winds up trying to help Julia after she and her fellow activists are brutally beaten by Nazis – the hospital scene is awkward at best with Julia trying to communicate wordlessly (4 syllables…, sounds like…) to Lillian. Then poof, Julia is gone. Back to Lillian’s successful playwright career where she is honored for her play – flash to our blossoming star Meryl (finally!!!) whose roll seems to be that of a social climber who wants Lillian’s attention and is miffed when she is snubbed, then later (gasp!) actual audible dialogue where Meryl’s character is speaking in a denigrating manner about Julia’s life choices. A lot of the dialogue in this movie is very hectic, almost frenetic, for which I blame the director. I wonder how much of that was influenced by the cocaine saturation of that period in our history? Whatever the reason, there was much hyperventilating and eye darting  and very little acting in this movie.

The remainder of the movie was pretty awful with an unbearably implausible money smuggling scene which was drawn out foreeeevvvvveeeerrrrr and based on the importance of props over performance. Julia’s people get their money. The girlhood friends get to see each other, then Bam! Julia’s dead. But Oh! Julia had a child! Lillian has to run around fruitlessly trying to locate the child but to no avail. Finally she returns to her lover Dashiell who comforts her and tells her to give up the search. The end. Roll credits.

What? That’s it? I understand open endings, but usually there is a solid story base before one is left to draw one’s own conclusions about the possible outcome. I’ve joked in the past that everybody in the movie dies at the end, but had no idea that anyone actually used that as the basis to end the movie.

Final analysis: Weak story, bad acting, really bad make-up & perms, interesting to see Meryl in her very small role.

Thankfully the film industry has come a long way in producing some wonderful drama and Meryl Streep has been a huge part of that movement.

The Life of David Gale – Two Points of Interest

I know I’m breaking the law by writing about a non-Meryl movie, but I saw this (older) movie recently and wanted to point out a couple of things that noticed about it.

This movie received an incredible amount of negative criticism because people found the story line to be pointless and the acting sub par. For the most part, I agree. The opera-loving cowboy who was supposed to provide tension throughout the movie was more annoying than menacing. The whole “you have to solve this mystery (to which I hold the answer)” twist was only interesting to me because the first time I watched the movie, I started in the middle. When I got the chance to see the movie start to finish, I too was dissatisfied with the ending.

There were two elements of the movie which I found very interesting and which I have not seen addressed in other on-line reviews. First, David Gale’s lecture on Fantasies was especially good and I thought, especially true.

Here is the excerpt from the movie script:
Fantasies
David Gale addressing his philosophy class at Austin University:
“You fantasize about? World peace?”
(as no one responds)

“Thought so.”
(light laughter)

“Money-Fame-Ferrari?”
(as some guys applaud loudly; others then boo them)

“A Pulitzer? Nobel? M.T.V. Music Award?”
(applause)

“A genius hunk — ostensibly bad but secretly simmering with noble passions, and willing to sleep on the wet spot?”
(As women applaud…LARGE WOMAN yells)
“I’ll take two!”
(Laughter)

“A Victoria’s Secret model – just slumming between law school and running her family’s Vastly Endowed Foundation for Tragically Sad-Eyed Children?”
(The crowd laughs, David changes tone)

“Okay, good, you see Lacan’s point. Fantasies must be unrealistic. The minute you get something, you don’t, you can’t, want it anymore. To exist, desire needs absent objects. So desire supports itself with crazy fantasies…”

“This is what Pascal means when he says the only time we’re truly happy is when day-dreaming about future happiness.”

“Or why we say, ‘The hunt is sweeter than the kill’ or ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ Not because you’ll get it, but because you’re doomed not to want it if you do. Think about it next time you’re at a wedding.”

Source: http://www.movie-page.com/scripts/the_life_of_david_gale.pdf

I do not consider myself an expert on philosophy or even psychology (never took a class on either subject), but I am a student of human nature. I like to think about what makes people tick and what compels them to make the decisions that they make and perhaps even understand myself more fully by what I observe in others. During a few of my early morning mullings in the shower (prior to shower crayon purchase), I was trying to consider why so many wealthy people seem to be unhappy and had wondered if it was related to having everything they want – and therefore not having anything to dream about or long for. I think desire is a necessary part of the human condition and if a person wants for nothing, it creates an imbalance of the spirit. Or as Gale says in his class lecture: says “the only time we’re truly happy is when day-dreaming about future happiness.”

The other part of the movie that hit a nerve with me is how easy it is to deconstruct a person’s life. A student with a grudge and a bit of cleverness was shown to bring about false rape charges against David Gale causing the end of his marriage and the ruin of his career. That’s how much damage one malicious and well wielded lie can cause. The worst part is that people seem to want to believe them, especially when it’s about someone who seemingly lives a moral life or has achieved recognition and acclaim. It’s especially juicy when the victim has a long way to fall. Perhaps it is simply the reverse of the fantasy – If I can’t have it, then he shouldn’t have it either. Whatever the reason it is an incredibly ugly side of human nature and unavoidable if someone is driven to destroy you.

This movie is old enough that you should be able to find it on cable somewhere. It’s worth watching once. There will be parts that you hate and you may never want to watch it again, but at least consider the concepts I’ve pointed out and perhaps you won’t be as disappointed.

Doubt – Magical Transformations of Meryl Streep and Amy Adams

To observe Meryl’s amazing character range and her chameleon-like ability to become someone completely different for each role, try watching “Doubt” immediately after viewing “Julie and Julia” and be astounded as you watch Streep go from sweet, effusive and ultimately lovable Julia Child to the grim, hard-eyed Sister Aloysius Beauvier. I realize costume/wardrobe and make-up go a long way in transforming a person into their character persona, but with Streep’s sheer range of aspect projection one sometimes has to do a double-take to realize it’s her.

Doubt is the first of the two movies (so far) where Amy Adams played opposite Meryl Streep and it should be interesting to see if these two continue to work on projects together. I love Amy Adams. She is absolutely adorable, though I hesitate to go so far as to say that she’s 2010’s answer to Meg Ryan, it is refreshing to see a newer, sparkly face on the horizon.

Anyone who has kids has probably seen “Enchanted” and witnessed Adams’ 2000 watt singing & dancing performance as Giselle, but many are unaware of her even more superb role as Delysia Lafosse in “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.” (see review: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/390040/Miss-Pettigrew-Lives-for-a-Day/overview) This movie is a wonderful period piece sleeper starring Adams and Frances McDormand. I have no idea why this film did not get more critical acclaim or public recognition, but right now you can get it used on Amazon.com for the bargain price of 98 cents plus shipping. This movie is worth owning because of its quirky story line, wonderful cast and the art deco set design is delicious.

If you are looking for something a little grittier to entertain you and are curious about Adams’ dramatic range, you can also rent/buy “Sunshine Cleaning” which is a much darker film, but one can’t help but like all the dysfunctional characters as they struggle to try to get what they want. Adams works closely with Emily Blunt in this movie (“The Jane Austin Book Club” & “The Devil Wears Prada”) and according to an interview I saw, Blunt actually encouraged Adams to audition for the nun role in Doubt. Nice friend, eh? I wish I knew an angel who could point me towards some plum jobs!

Doubt is not necessarily a movie I would recommend buying, but it is worth watching simply for the dramatic story line and superb acting. The severity of the scenery and sets enhance the tone of the 1964 Bronx parochial school and Sister Aloysius (Streep) dominates as the iron-fisted principle while the sort of mousy and naïve Sister James (Adams) is pulled into a power struggle between her and the new parish priest. The aspect I found most satisfying about this movie was Streep’s portrayal of Sister Aloysius’s humanity. It would have been easy to show her as simply an overbearing nun with a taste for doling out punishment, but she shows us just a hint of her human frailty and we understand that there is a person with feelings underneath the fearsome mask.

Enjoy Meryl’s performance – it is outstanding.

Here are two inteviews on the movie – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5FErzGOrV8&feature=related & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTKOjlTLuI0&feature=related

Recognition

My daughter and some members of the staff at her school were honored for the success of a program they have put in place to help older students mentor younger students who are having difficulty adjusting to middle school. A few months back I was asked by the teacher who heads up the program to write a letter praising the school’s effort and how my daughter has benefited from it. It was a last minute message that I slapped together, but I was sincere about what I wrote and the program truly did help her.

Life went on. I didn’t think anything more about the possible award for the program; only that my child was enjoying school. Then last week I got an e-mail letting me know that the awards ceremony was on the 18th and could we make it.

Long story short, the program was honored in the middle school mental health category of the program and when the announcer was reading a recap of the program, she quoted part of my letter. I cried. It was one of the most satisfying (and certainly the most public) responses to my writing that I’ve ever experienced. “You like me! You really like me!” ~Sally Field

I guess this is one of those win/win situations. Regardless of what it is, I will savor it.

Small Successes

Last night I found myself back at Target (at the request of my younger daughter) and with the help of the friendly staff was able to acquire the tub crayons….oh, I mean shower whiteboard writing implements. Now I’ll be able to remember all the cool things I think of when I’m getting ready in the morning. I guess the only thing left to do if figure out if my mobile phone has a recording device so that I can remember stuff that I hear on the radio when I’m driving. I swear I never fail to get straight green lights when I’m driving and need to write something down.

“A League of Their Own” was on was on after dinner and I tuned in during the part where Tom Hanks staggers into the locker room and commences to peeing in front of his team. Now, I’ve noticed in Tom’s movies that he has a tendency to be filmed doing this and I wondered if anyone else had picked up on it too. Thankfully I don’t have to concurrently watch for Tom peeing while I’m reviewing Meryl movies. Someone has already handled this pressing question. Please proceed to http://www.mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=47 to take the quiz on Tom and his whiz.

Kids say the darndest things and if you listen carefully as you walk through the world, some of what they say is pretty darned funny too. While I was checking out at Target last night, my daughter went to get a beverage at the snack area. She chose a grape icey which she was happily sipping on as we were walking towards the exit. There were two little girls standing with their mother who was paying for her purchases when the older of the two pointed at us and trilled “Oh Cool! They’re going to the movies!!!” My mind spun as I tried to figure out what it was in our aspects that would have lead to this conclusion when my eye caught the bright blue beverage in my daughter’s hand. Apparently Icey = Movies in one little person’s mind. I laughed all the way to the car.

Julie & Julia – thoughts & comments

Because “Julie & Julia” was one of the inspirations which got me going on this blog, I’ll start there and just jump around as things begin to arrive in the mail. The more I watch this movie the more I like it. If anyone had told me that I would find the life of Julia Child compelling, I would have laughed in their face, but watching Julia cast about for a purpose and her sweet relationship with her husband were more than enough to keep me glued to my seat as I watched this movie. What is really the most remarkable thing is Meryl Streep’s transformation into Julia. It is truly amazing to me how completely she morphs into who she needs to be for her role. She is absolutely magical in her ability to become her character.

One of the main things I thought was very cool about this movie is the dynamics of the marriages and how the husbands both dealt with encouraging their wives as the worked towards their goals. Julia and Paul were particularly loving to each other. Stanley Tucci mentions this in one of the interviews I’m attaching. He also points out that most movies portray marriages in trouble or where one of the partners is dying. It’s true – Hollywood has shown us a ton of unhappiness & ugliness which makes this movie all the more special simply because it shows a marriage working. I personally loved that Paul was 100% behind any idea Julia had whether he thought it was reasonable or not. That’s a rare quality in a man so if you’ve got one of those in your life, hold onto him!

Here are some wonderful interviews I found on YouTube which give you a wonderful behind the scenes look at what the actors thought of the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifk4MgoZZhA interview Nora Ephron, Meryl Streep & Stanley Tucci

“The Lovely Bones” Tucci interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-135y-YnxM&feature=related

French interview with Meryl & Stanley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wtJ3kqf2GY

Meryl & Stanly worked together in “The Devil Wears Prada” and I get the impression that they enjoy working together and admire each other’s work. I’m looking forward to seeing “The Lovely Bones” which Tucci worked on before “Julie & Julia”. I read the book and was lukewarm about it, but I’ve heard good things about the movie. More on that later. We’re doing Meryl right now!

Two questions I had after watching this movie:

Paul Child’s turquoise ring: It is an unusual thing to see such a piece of jewelry on a man in a movie. Was there significance to it? Did Paul really wear a similar ring or was this simply a way to show Paul’s worldliness in the movie? Maybe someone in costuming was simply inspired. I don’t know, but I’d love to find out.

Why were the two French women who Julia wound up collaborating with at the embassy function? Were they somehow connected to the event by their husbands? Obviously non-Americans would have been invited to such an event, but only because they were connected to the embassy or politics in some way. Those in the know about protocol are encouraged to provide input.

Meryl Movie Marathon

If any of you have watched “Julie & Julia” (you really should, it’s a sweet and interesting movie), you know that Julie’s goal was to cook her way through Julia Child’s cookbook and blog about it. Since my current goal is to rave about how wonderful Meryl Streep is, I’m going to spend the next few months watching as many of her movies as I can get my hands on. I’ve already got a couple on order from Amazon.com and I’ve got a Netflix account so I can either have them mailed to me or magically beamed through my Blu-ray. All the rest I’ll either have to find on cable (The French Lieutenant’s Woman) or maybe at the library.

Here’s the list of Meryl’s work I found on Netflix. Take a look at the dates. It’s astonishing how busy she’s been. It looks like she may have taken 2000 off (what better way to spend the millennium than kicking back for a year!), but other than that, she’s been in movies consistently since 1977. I haven’t done anything consistently since 1977!!!

America: The Story of Us       (2010)	NR
Faces of America                       (2010)	NR
Julie & Julia                                (2009)	PG-13
It’s Complicated                         (2009)	R
Fantastic Mr. Fox                       (2009)	PG
Doubt                                             (2008)	PG-13
Mamma Mia!                               (2008)	PG-13
Theater of War                           (2008)	NR
Dark Matter                                 (2007)	R
Evening                                         (2007)	PG-13
Rendition                                       (2007)	R
Lions for Lambs                           (2007)	R
The Ant Bully                               (2006)	PG
Hurricane on the Bayou           (2006)	NR
The Devil Wears Prada               (2006)	PG-13
A Prairie Home Companion       (2006)	PG-13
Wrestling with Angels: Tony Kushner  (2006)	NR
Prime                                               (2005)	PG-13
Stolen Childhoods                         (2005)	NR
The Manchurian Candidate       (2004)	R
Lemony Snicket: Unfortunate Events    (2004)	PG
Angels in America (2-Disc Series) (2003)	NR
Stuck on You                                   (2003)	PG-13
Adaptation                                       (2002)	R
The Hours                                         (2002)	PG-13
Secret Service                                  (2002)	NR
Uncommon Women and Others  (2002)	NR
Chrysanthemum                            (2002)	NR
Vermeer: Master of Light               (2001)	NR
Music of the Heart                             (1999)	PG
One True Thing                                  (1998)	R
Dancing at Lughnasa                       (1998)	PG
First Do No Harm                               (1997)	PG-13
Before and After                                 (1996)	PG-13
Marvin’s Room                                     (1996)	PG-13
The Living Sea: IMAX                        (1995)	NR
The Bridges of Madison County       (1995)	PG-13
The River Wild                                     (1994)	PG-13
House of the Spirits                              (1994)	R
Death Becomes Her                              (1992)	PG-13
Defending Your Life                             (1991)	PG
Postcards from the Edge                       (1990)	R
She Devil                                                  (1989)	PG-13
A Cry in the Dark, Evil Angels          (1988)	PG-13
Ironweed                                                (1987)	R
Heartburn                                               (1986)	R
Out of Africa                                          (1985)	PG
Plenty                                                     (1985)	R
The Velveteen Rabbit                             (1985)	NR
Falling in Love                                       (1984)	PG-13
Silkwood                                                (1983)	R
Sophie’s Choice                                      (1982)	R
The French Lieutenant’s Woman           (1981)	R
Alice at the Palace                                 (1981)	NR
Kramer vs. Kramer                                (1979)	PG
Manhattan                                              (1979)	R
The Deer Hunter                                    (1978)	R
Holocaust                                               (1978)	NR
Julia                                                       (1977)	PG

Please feel free to join me in watching or re-watching Meryl’s movies. There are some on this list I’ve never watched and I’m looking forward to seeing what I’ve missed. Also, I welcome your comments. It’s always interesting to me what other people are thinking.

Update: just bought 10 Meryl movies from Amazon.com: Julie & Julia, Sophie’s Choice, Julia, The Devil Wears Prada, The Deer Hunter, First Do No Harm, Music of the Heart, Before & After, Kramer vs. Kramer and Dancing at Lughnasa. I got all used copies and it averaged out to about $7 a movie. (Mom, you’re getting most of these once I’ve finished watching them).

Weekend Photo Gallery

Me at work:

I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that the camera is not my friend.

Garden Pics:

Purple Iris & Phlox

Tenacious Tulips from Wal-Mart

Fancy Irises - Got 'em on eBay!

Our dog Cookie (rescued from the animal shelter a couple of weeks ago). She’s totally digging her new home!

Cookie

Dog Amongst the Bubbles

 Photo ops while I was out picking up pizza:

Pastoral Scene in Suburbia

Grazing in the Sun

The dead bird was found along the strip center where my gym is located. At first I thought it was a gold finch, but they have a black cap, not a mask. I consulted the bird book at home and I’m guessing its a common yellowthroated warbler. I’ll find out for sure when I present it to my dad. This little guy will most likely wind up as a specimen at the Smithsonian. It will not be my first contribution. I’ve also got a humming bird I need to donate as well.

Tragic Fatality

Snarky Fashion Observation

On a quick trip out to pick up carry-out & peanut butter I noticed a young couple at the DVD rental kiosk. I swear the girl was wearing a cheerleading outfit, though she was clearly older than high school age (okay, I didn’t see her face because it was hidden behind a curtain of longer bobbed hair, but I could tell). I was fascinated and curious – was it “fantasy date night”? but if so, why the need for a movie? Did the guy have a coordinating set of shoulder pads, but had the good sense to leave them at home? Maybe she is of a non-American culture and thinks cheerleader garb is haute couture?

Whatever her reasons, I think its best to leave the outfit at home for couple time rather than walking the world prepared for a football game to break out.