I have been abstaining from TV lately, but suffered a lapse this weekend and watched two movies. Perhaps my brain was fried from the chlorine, or deadened by doing 7x 5-2 killer intervals indoors on the bike while listening to Arcade Fire... hmm.
Juno: I saw this one Saturday at the World Exchange Plaza, and altogether it was a charming and thoughtful film. Cute, but not nauseatingly so: a coming-of-age tale that almost everyone could sympathize with. While the movie was imbued with a Disney-like innocence, I personally suspect that the experiences of most pregnant 16-year-olds would not be as fortunate. Without the competent and efficient stepmother to get those practicalities out of the way, the father’s unconditional love, and the best friend’s unperturbed and loyal companionship, this journey would not have been so agreeable. Then again, neither would the film. As a modern fable, Juno is certainly worth watching for its unique screenplay, clever dialogue, and uncanny way of affecting even the most cynical viewer.
I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry: Rumour has it that Prime Minister Harper saw this one at Place D’Orleans with his family this past summer. In fact, that rumour is what prompted me to give this movie a chance, because I never would have considered watching it otherwise. To me, the name Adam Sandler equates with slapstick, dirty jokes, crude dialogue and a plodding, foolish plot. Not interested! But this one was different: at least different enough for its meritorious points to make it worth finishing. Sure, there was gratuitous vulgarity, crudity, rudeness, and general bad taste… but there was also an exceptional sensitivity in the way the story was presented. There were sad and poignant moments in the film, affecting in their truth… discrimination and intolerance run rampant even in our democratic society. The movie gently pokes fun at stereotypes, and in doing so, forces the reader to reflect on how he or she might contribute to a more inclusive community.
