Lori, Mel and I watched American Splendor last night. I thought it was great. Lori liked it. Mel despised it (the movie reminded him of Woody Allen, a director we mutually despise.) The film reminded me a lot of myself in some ways and certainly reminded me of some of my friends.
It also drove me a to think more about something that I have been thinking a lot about lately, which is the western obsession with being special or the one. The premise of being the one is infused in all of our movies; Matrix, Top Gun, Real Genius, Revenge of the Nerds, whatever, it's all about being that guy.
At times I have been that guy and at other times not. Yeah, it's fun a little when you are there, it's tough too, and all in all, I'm no different because of those times. But I keep driving myself because I think that I'm something special, but I'm really not. I'm just like everyone else and that's ok. It's tough to come to grips with the notion that being a good husband, father, and friend is enough in this world, in fact, that it's great. I like movies that emphasize this practical and realistic approach to life.
It reminds me of the original Meatballs movie with Bill Murray. Bill and the kid are running around and the kid talks about being awkward and not fitting in. Bill tells him that if he makes one good friend the entire summer that he is coming out ahead. Good friends. Good family. Good times. That's what matters.
Posted by jherr at February 8, 2004 08:11 AMI like the film. It was a different rythim that meregd the real and the fictional in an interesting way. I thought ht acting was good, especially the guy that played Crumb. But then agai, I don't despise Woody - neurotic jewish humor is ok with me..
Ivan
Posted by: Ivan at February 11, 2004 02:05 AMThanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)