A Last Hurrah

Movie Buddy is leaving on Sunday for the other side of the continent.  I am so happy for him and so sad for me, and we went out yesterday for a (pen)ultimate movie viewing.  I had reserved his company for "Boyhood" at the beginning of the summer.  He took a break from his preparations, and we finally made it to the theater last night.

"Boyhood"...there was so much hype leading up to its release.  I will say that it was a very powerful film, but certainly not because of the story.  The story was okay, but we both agreed that the message was kinda' thin: a boy who has such uncertain childhood in a world of imperfect adults still develops into a good, curious, credulous yet questioning, unbroken adolecent.  Yes we understand the idea, but the movie does little to really probe what it is he still believes in, what directions he questions.

What really hit me, and I mean hit me "bang" in the gut, what the amazing feeling of authenticity. The curiosity of actually watching the characters/actors age was certainly the teaser that brought many people into the theatre, and it was very satisfying.  But BEYOND just having the time progress "truthfully", the time references that weren't neccessarily "references" when they were shot, there was something that felt 100% right about every scene.  I can't put my finger on how it was done, I do not understand the craft of it, but from the first scene, I literally (literally!!!) wanted to say to Movie Buddy "that looks just like that place I remember!"  And I did not grow up anywhere near Texas.  Riding the bikes in the little ravine, the apartment complexes, the empty parking lot, the dorm room... somehow even the beautiful southwest scenery I have NEVER seen: the quarry lake, the mountains and canyons, they looked so right, and almost familiar.

Also the dialog was so authentic and familiar feeling.  Even the high school / college "questioning life" rants and boy/girlfriend banter was wonderfully recognizable and natural for its innate empty wispiness.

And because it was all so authentic, and because I am already living this movie, I collapsed, and let every scene pull me where it intended.


I pleaded with Movie Buddy to give me a few more hours, so he is coming over tonight to watch "Little Miss Sunshine": same movie, but set as a comedy. Like "Penny Lane" vs. "Elenor Rigby".

Please keep a space for me, I'm always thinking of you.  Good luck Movie Buddy, onward and upward!