Storytelling
On Saturday I watched It's a Wonderful Life and bawled my eyes out. Yes, yes, I know what's going to happen every time I see it. But from that scene in Ernie's bar when Jimmie Stewart prays so desperately (and frankly, it's a brilliant bit of acting, because what man or person has not been exactly that desperate, exactly that despairing, exactly that prayerful and in need of help?), I am hooked. And then . . . the waterworks start when he runs back into Bedford Falls screaming Merry Christmas to the "stupid, old" Savings & Loan . . . the movie house . . . and I keep crying right through his brother's toast to the "richest man in town." My God, each and every year, I SOB my way through that movie.
But that's not my only Christmas fave. I watch, yearly, all the movies I OWN (because, God forbid I just wait for the re-runs . . . no, I OWN these DVDs) . . . White Christmas, Bells of St. Mary (not entirely Christmas, but enough), and my personal favorite, The Bishop's Wife. I also may give a nod to the modern and watch Love Actually. It threads a half dozen love stories together for every stage and type of love--new love, grieving love, unrequited love, love waning, and on and on. I adore Colin Firth's story--love without words.
Which brings me to this blog post. What elevates a movie from the ordinary to the classic? Well, sometimes it's just tradition, but usually it's sentiment. The storyteller, in this case scriptwriter, director, and cast, tell a story that is universal. It resonates. The cliche of "tugs on the heartstrings" is evident and true.
I have been as desperate as George Bailey. I have been as idealistic as Mary Bailey. I have loved someone I could not have (the guy in love with his best friend's wife in Love Actually). I have had to parent in spite of grief (Liam Neeson in Love Actually tending to his stepson). I have wished for an angel (Bishop's Wife). I have been married to a man who didn't recognize the Christmas holiday because of his own moods (Bishop's Wife). I could go on and on. The performances, casting, and script can then elevate the movie a step above. But it is that universal longing and wishing and hoping and love that makes us adore some movies over and over again.
What is your favorite Christmas movie? And what about the storytelling do you respond to?
But that's not my only Christmas fave. I watch, yearly, all the movies I OWN (because, God forbid I just wait for the re-runs . . . no, I OWN these DVDs) . . . White Christmas, Bells of St. Mary (not entirely Christmas, but enough), and my personal favorite, The Bishop's Wife. I also may give a nod to the modern and watch Love Actually. It threads a half dozen love stories together for every stage and type of love--new love, grieving love, unrequited love, love waning, and on and on. I adore Colin Firth's story--love without words.
Which brings me to this blog post. What elevates a movie from the ordinary to the classic? Well, sometimes it's just tradition, but usually it's sentiment. The storyteller, in this case scriptwriter, director, and cast, tell a story that is universal. It resonates. The cliche of "tugs on the heartstrings" is evident and true.
I have been as desperate as George Bailey. I have been as idealistic as Mary Bailey. I have loved someone I could not have (the guy in love with his best friend's wife in Love Actually). I have had to parent in spite of grief (Liam Neeson in Love Actually tending to his stepson). I have wished for an angel (Bishop's Wife). I have been married to a man who didn't recognize the Christmas holiday because of his own moods (Bishop's Wife). I could go on and on. The performances, casting, and script can then elevate the movie a step above. But it is that universal longing and wishing and hoping and love that makes us adore some movies over and over again.
What is your favorite Christmas movie? And what about the storytelling do you respond to?
posted by Erica Orloff at 6:41 AM
11 Comments:
I know it's not really a movie, but I love the original cartoon version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It's all about redemption, isn't it? And that Cindy Lou Who...what an actress!
Jude:
Love that Cindy Lou. And every single one of us knows a Grinch. Someone who not only is unhappy, but is also miserable that other people are happy and he's not. You can relate--even if he is this green hairy thing.
I have to admit -- I'm one of those people unable to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" in its entirety. I just can't put myself through a movie that'll make me sad 95% of the time, and then only make me happy during the last five minutes. THis is also why I will be unable to watch "Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will and Jaden Smith. I heard it's a good movie. BUt there's that 95/5 mixture again. I can't do it!
My favorite holiday movie -- Rudolph. :-)
The Christmas Story with its quirky, oddball humor, and the wishing and wanting for things we possibly shouldn't have. Christmas dinner at a Chinese Restaurant, the despair when the gift turns out to be the disaster his mother predicted. I love the humor and the range of emotions. And maybe it's that my Dad watches it over and over on Christmas Day.
Hi Karm:
I guess I don't feel sad in a lot of it--in every scene I am thinking what a wonderful guy he is . . .and I know how it ends, so I know I have my payoff. :-)
And Rudolf . . . come on . . . I feel so sad for him in the first third of the movie. And the misfits. I think that is a sad movie! :-)
E
Kathy:
I forgot that one!!!! It is such a wistful, sweet movie.
E
Love Actually does it for me everytime.....
Of course, I love all the oldie-but-goodies too like Miricle on 34th Street and White Christmas....
Sara:
I really love all the storylines in Love Actually, and except for casting Hugh Grant as the OLDER brother of Emma Thompson . . . I think the casting is what does it. You so believe that little boy loves that girl that you invest in their story. Same with the Colin Firth's love--she is played perfectly.
E
I'm with the Murder She Writes women: I love The Santa Clause movies with Tim Allen (don't like him much as an actor, though), especially the first one. I love the magic! I want to believe in Santa Claus again!
I love all the Christmas cartoons and puppet animations: Rudolph, Frosty, the Little Drummer Boy, and that heart-breaking story about the donkey. I cry every time!
Although The Sound of Music isn't technically a Christmas movie, I love that one. I'm trained from the pre-cable days to watch it every Christmas season.
I love Ebbie which is on Lifetime. It's a female version of Scrooge. I feel the sameway in the fear of letting anyone close to me. Although Christmas don't feel the same after my aunt died three years ago.
My family doesn't get together anymore. We can't be civil long enough. After you grow up Christmas doesn't hold the same magic as it use to.
Hi la:
We still get together in mine. We still have managed to do it with no arrests, no fistfights, and minimal misery. :-)
E
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