January 8, 2007
-
So that crappy day I was having on friday? Believe it or not, Will Smith, of all people, managed to nip that shit in the bud.
Actually, I shouldn’t belittle
Will Smith’s abilities so. Although he is capable of great and comedic
mainstream cheez, he also stars in one of my favorite obscure films
(with Stockard Channing, Ian Mc Kellen and Donald Sutherland, no less,
and which fostered my budding love for all things Kandinsky), Six Degrees of Separation. It’s pretty beautiful, and further proves that Will is a surprisingly versatile actor; so yeah, see that sometime.
And see Pursuit of Happyness,
especially if you’re feeling lazy or craptastic like i have been. I
suck fairly hard at movie reviews so i won’t attempt any sort of
exposition; suffice to say for my own reasons I related pretty
powerfully, and literally in places, to Chris Gardner’s struggle. I
suppose that’s the point, though; anyone who’s ever wanted something
that badly can easily empathize with this film. Yet it’s never
contrived, or sappy, or condescending. Well crafted and beautifully
acted. You are completely with him the whole time, running all the
time, desperately wanting his dream the whole time- and thereby
connecting it to your struggle in your own reality.You feel you want to
strive by his example, and if you want something badly enough, you will
fulfill it. It’s an incredible effect.
Ok, true, I’m generally
suspicious of vaunted egos and themes of manifest destiny (being the
snarkasaurus that i am), but i have to say that even despite my
intolerably cynical bitchiness of late, afterwards i felt truly &
completely energized and hopeful. Made me want to work harder, and quit
whining so much. Made me want to rise above, Fire in the belly,
hal-lay-oooooyah! Made me wake up with a snap the next morning and be
glad for the day’s potential. Made me want to get busy and paint,
because as we all know, i already am one of the greatest artists ever
(you know, like kandinsky!), it’s just that i have to be a lil more
diligent, and kick a little more ass, and take a few more names before
the world can recognize. Simple.
And here’s the kicker: whether
that’s true or not it doesn’t matter. It’s just important, maybe more
important than anything, to be hopeful and strive for something
better.
And now, we return to our regularly scheduled snarky programming. heehee.
Comments (3)
my husband took me to go see that. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really really got into it. I pretty much cried like a baby through the whole movie. I know a few people like that, no matter how hard they work, they can’t seem to get a break. but the don’t give up for anything message is a good one, too. I also liked the fact he called himself out, he had this great gift, this brilliant mind, but never put it to use. he was all potential and no action. until finally he realized he had to do the work. that impressed me the most, I think.
I agree, SK, and i have a close friend- i write about him a lot- who’s very much like that, too. I think the biggest reason i love him so much is that he’s had the worst kind of life, and isn’t ashamed to admit it’s due in great part to his own failings; but all of a sudden he’s beginning to find out his potential to do really amazing things. He’s incredibly generous and loving and talented. Much like this movie, I find it to be really poignant and rewarding to be a part of his life.
I haven’t seen this movie yet, and now I’m wondering if this is some girl movie and you’re trying to trick me. I might watch it thoguh, as long as all the blinds are closed.