BBM-Intern, wow, great plan! wish I could fly up just for the evening - I'd even wear my cowgirl boots
. give us a full report after the event, won't you - we like details
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Mmeshawshank, darn, knew I should have posted earlier than I did yesterday
. Tho as you say, we're bound to meet eventually! I'm with you regards Alma, BTW. I think she came off best of the bunch. She moved on to a better life, with real love via the good offices of Monroe. Have long felt Lureen came off far worse. At the end of a long, loveless marriage, she's left with nothing but bitterness, and a dead husband. Tell you what, there's many a marriage I'm aware of that are more loveless, or more dysfunctional, than either of the two as portrayed in BBM. And that's sans the gay factor. Always like to insert that caveat when folk take to pontificating about the immorality of it all. Jeez Louise, an episode of Desparate Housewives is more corrupt, and let's just count how many BBM detractors watch that religiously - I personally know of two!
Brianr, what a really BIG thing you did on tuesday. Hats (in this case, Stetsons) off to you. I'm just sorry there was one stick in the mud. The dear woman would have her reasons for reaction, no doubt, but it's always sad to see someone voice a position that may wound their audience. Do you think you'll continue the momentum into other areas of your life? I'll say it again, the life-altering power of this film will never cease to amaze. Further, it's a real joy and a privelage to be sharing the life-changes with new friends from this forum. Sending get well soon wishes to your Mum. Hope she's feeling a bit more chipper as the days pass.
Incidentally, I'm curious as to how I'd know the woman you referred to from your literary group. I know few people in the area outside the school community, but I'm slowly changing that. Meantime, wish I could help you out with your two friends' reactions to BBM yesterday, but alas I'd be struggling to identify them even with a fullsome description - it turned out to be quite a busy session! Report below.
Theatre about half full again (same as previous evening), tho more the demographic I'm used to. Mostly 60+, with a few octogenerians thrown in for good measure. There were 4 or 5 under 50's. Myself, a 30ish gay bloke, a couple of 20-something girls, and another woman around my age. Again, total silence. Choctops put down within first few minutes. No further coffee slurping or bag rustling. Something about the opening scene sends the clear message, PAY ATTENTION! and most sensible people acquiese, despite the melting choctop! Full attention and absolute, almost religious reverance was demonstrated by all for the duration. Quite something to behold from my position in the very middle of the very back row.
For my part, I have to say in all honesty, that it was overwhelming. How that is possible after having seen it the previous evening, I don't know, but there it is. I could FEEL the emotional upheaval in those around me - it was genuinly palpable. There's probably some physiological process (silent group hysteria maybe?) behind that, but it was most definitely there. Every key scene left me breathless and in atrial fibrillation, so can imagine a room full of people doing same might register on some sort of sensor! At the end I found myself in debrief with the young gay fellow, and an elderly woman, both of whom were sitting closest to me in back row. The dear boy could hardly speak, and the woman said "why on earth didn't this movie get the oscar?!". I mentioned that it was my 10th viewing (admitting lunacy to strangers), and both said "I can see why".
I had to go directly from the cinema to the school run, which was challenging. Tho far from being bereft, as I have been after some viewings, I was euphoric!. Wanted to shout from the rooftops that every human being on the planet MUST see this film before they die. I suppose this it how it feels to be 'born again'. Really gives me a new appreciation for friends and family who've taken to pentacostalism with ... ahem .... gusto. Yet another of the myriad blessings bestowed by BBM.
Must get going - an inordinately long list of to-dos for the day. Will be a glorious day, with the almost tangible presence of Jack and Ennis.
W
