Everyone has their favorite comfort food. For some it's mashed potatoes and gravy, for others.. warm from the oven gooey chocolate chip cookies. I love a container of gourmet pistachio ice cream, or a big bowl of cold Bing cherries. But I also crave my "comfort movies" during a family crisis or trauma. After we've survived the latest bump in the road, I need to snuggle into bed with some good food and a big stack of movies.
Of course, the themes in the movies usually reflect those that resonate with me as a writer and human being - and similar ideas often end up in my own books. Does that happen with you, either in books you choose to read or those you write?
This week, my mother-in-law (who has lived with us for the past ten years and is a sweetheart), needed two new stents put in her heart. It was a long week, with 13 hour days at the hospital, and three excruciating days of waiting for her to be allowed back home. Everything ended up just fine, but it took its toll on all of us, and when it was all over, I needed my comfort food and movies.
Here are just a few of my favorites, and a cursory list of the themes that appeal to me in them. What are yours?
The English Patient
Exotic
locale, strong characters, forbidden love, unrequited love, the plane
crash, the sand storm, the war element, making due in an old, abandoned
house and finding a way to accomplish things with very few resources.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Childhood
recaptured, innocence, wrongful persecution of an innocent man, the
horrific unfairness of the race issue, extremely strong characters,
summertime, father’s incredible example and love, family meals, drama of
murdering innocent man, the Halloween scene, Boo.
Shining Through
War
drama, fear of discovery – taut suspense in fish market and basement of
house. Running through strange city persecuted by Nazis. (How much more
frightening/exciting can that be?) Again, initially unrequited love
that is finally realized and heroically so. Good resolution to overall
story. Very evil bad guys and gals – surprise that friend isn’t a
friend. Heroic rescue under unbelievable circumstances.
Sense and Sensibility
Long,
taut, drawn-out unrequited love with twists and turns that is finally,
finally resolved. Local color, family relations, food, countryside,
horses. The sweet sadness of the older man who adores the younger woman,
finally resolved. Running through beautiful fields in the rain, the
drama of the sister nearly dying.
The Game
Incredibly
clever manipulation of one man’s life – the drawing out of his inner
sensitivities and true family love through extraordinary experiences
that crack the shell of his hard veneer. Going back in time to see
father on home movies in his head, the birthday parties, the leap from
the roof. History like that is so riveting. Nonstop action.
Frequency
Father
and son reconnecting after loss. So powerful, everyone in the world
that’s lost a parent or loved one wants this… needs this. An
otherworldly connection through time – so amazing. The smoke burns on
the desk. Changing history. Fascinating.
Double Jeopardy
Innocent,
loving woman set up by vile husband – loses child to him for seven
years. Outrage at innocent being convicted, sweet revenge when final
retribution accomplished.
Corrina, Corrina
The
poignant pain of father and child losing mother to unknown
death. Strong personalities of parents, father’s struggle to recover,
child’s affiliation with new, unusual friend who brings both of them out
of their depression with candid humor and love. Recover is possible
through unexpected means. Defying societal mores in the fifties–
black/white relationship is superb. Unexpected musical talents in most
surprising people.
While You Were Sleeping
Intensely
different, irreverent, and hysterically funny characters. Unrequited
love in beginning, turning even more so when Lucy falls for Jack instead
of Peter. Extraordinarily sad, sad, sad scenes of this poor lonely girl
who’s lost everyone. Just heartbreaking. Loss, lonliness, need for
family, finding family, fear of loss family, holidays alone, bravery in
face of great hardship. Dream of Florence, fact that Jack knows her
dreams, recognizes, and gives her the snow globe based on this
knowledge.
Big
Ability
to step out of one’s life into another. The simplicity of childhood.
Absolutely priceless. The need to prove to a childhood pal that he was
indeed still a child inside was brilliantly felt and executed. And the
tender awakenings of love were splendid.
The Green Mile
Intensely
rich characters, unjustly accused innocent, sweet man. Conversation so
real. John Coffee is perhaps my favorite character of all time, right up
there beside Odd Thomas and Jenner.
Witness
Gorgeous
farming environment, German language sprinkled throughout, intense
unrequited love, strong characters, taut action. The harsh ugliness of
the urban life clashes so intensely with the purity of the Amish country
and family life. Gorgeous cinematography.
Peggy Sue Got Married
The
universal draw of stepping back in time to relive one's childhood -
being able to do things over again with the knowledge of an adult and
the physique/future of a teenager - was so powerful. Love of
family. Being able to visit with grandparents that have passed. Damn, I
love this movie...
The Station Agent
Finn,
Joe, and Olivia...what an unlikely trio of friends, and how deeply
evolved each character is. I am crazy about this movie and the
characterizations are superb.
Here are a few more of my staple comfort movies:
Regarding
Henry, Forever Young, The Family Man, Dragonfly, The Majestic, Nell, As
Good As It Gets, The Birdcage, Don Juan de Marco, The Human Stain,
Remains of the Day, Pride & Prejudice, Under the Tuscan Sun.
There
are so many more. But now, let me know how you feel about this. What
are your comfort movies? List the themes that appeal to you and see if
those themes have crept into your work or books you've read in any
fashion. It's a fun exercise!
***
Visit Aaron's website at www.lazarbooks.com. Check out his eBooks, print, and audio book selections for Moore Mysteries, Tall Pines Mysteries, and LeGarde Mysteries.
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