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1. Watched the Oscar nominated British film, An Education last night. The film does provide some stellar performances from Olivia Williams and Alfred Molina. As well as newcomer Carey Mulligan. And the script by Nick Hornby is serviceable - there are few excellent lines. Such as the young school-girl Jenny's reaction upon having sex for the first time. "It's funny for something that so many have written songs and poetry about, the actual act is quite short, takes hardly any time at all." Truer words were never spoken. And later - her statement to her teacher - "I've learned there are no shortcuts." The story is a female coming of age story, but disturbingly it is once again based on her relationship with a guy. I hate to tell you this, but most women come of age without necessarily having sex with or a relationship with a guy. Guy's aren't necessary for a girl to become a woman. Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and numerous others did quite well without you. You aren't THAT important.
The film is basically the older man - young girl trope. I remember reading a French novel at the age of sixteen about a girl in Paris discovering her sexuality with a much older man. In reality? It is gross. In books, romantic. In this film - a bit of both. Hornby to give him credit - does show that a man in his 40s who is preying on a 16 year old girl - is not someone you want to know. He's charming, clever, seductive and fun. She goes to nice restaurants, auctions, and believes that she's met CS Lewis. The story takes place in the early 1960s in London. He's the dream. Loves her music, can discuss culture, is patient, and charms her parents. He even proposes and they are the ultimate star crossed lovers. ( major plot spoiler )
A good film overall, just one that I find myself in disagreement with. I'm oddly pleased The Hurt Locker - a film about war and men, directed by a female director won instead. An Education a film about a girl coming of age after her romance with a much much older man, was writtenand directed by by a men, [ETA: but apparently "loosely" based on a memoire written by a woman, and directed by a woman. Note to self - google the film before writing a view based on what you recollect from reading the credits.] It's told in her pov, but from a male angle [this might be due to Hornby's script]. The Hurt Locker was by far the better film. They are different of course, with different intents. But An Education felt sort of cliche to me - as if I'd seen it before, and the Hurt Locker brand new and something I had not. Could just be that I've long ago outgrown the older guy who is so into the young girl, she's over the moon with the attention motif - one does, when one gets older, eventually.
2. While waiting for the elevator at work saw the following posted on the glass doors leading to the security desk for the school board:
* No Hoods, Do-rags, Hats, or Bandanas permitted. No Weapons of any kind (more explanation in small writing I could not read below).
For some reason that amused me. But then I make fun of everything. I treat life as a cosmic joke - it's the only way, sometimes.
3. On Lj came across a WTF moment. Apparently people think it is improper etiquette or wrong to write reviews of fanfic in your own live journal??? As if Fanfic, and we're talking about FANFIC, is some holy untouchable grail that none should touch but to squee over! ( somewhat ranty and while I've edited it, it's bound to offend some sensitive soul out there. )
The film is basically the older man - young girl trope. I remember reading a French novel at the age of sixteen about a girl in Paris discovering her sexuality with a much older man. In reality? It is gross. In books, romantic. In this film - a bit of both. Hornby to give him credit - does show that a man in his 40s who is preying on a 16 year old girl - is not someone you want to know. He's charming, clever, seductive and fun. She goes to nice restaurants, auctions, and believes that she's met CS Lewis. The story takes place in the early 1960s in London. He's the dream. Loves her music, can discuss culture, is patient, and charms her parents. He even proposes and they are the ultimate star crossed lovers. ( major plot spoiler )
A good film overall, just one that I find myself in disagreement with. I'm oddly pleased The Hurt Locker - a film about war and men, directed by a female director won instead. An Education a film about a girl coming of age after her romance with a much much older man, was written
2. While waiting for the elevator at work saw the following posted on the glass doors leading to the security desk for the school board:
* No Hoods, Do-rags, Hats, or Bandanas permitted. No Weapons of any kind (more explanation in small writing I could not read below).
For some reason that amused me. But then I make fun of everything. I treat life as a cosmic joke - it's the only way, sometimes.
3. On Lj came across a WTF moment. Apparently people think it is improper etiquette or wrong to write reviews of fanfic in your own live journal??? As if Fanfic, and we're talking about FANFIC, is some holy untouchable grail that none should touch but to squee over! ( somewhat ranty and while I've edited it, it's bound to offend some sensitive soul out there. )
