I have a very strange relationships with movies commonly described as "touching." Let me qualify this. First, 99.9% of said films I will not even watch. But there is that .1% that does something for me. Some of those I am unashamed of (_Amelie_) while others I have a more qualified appreciation for (see my recent post on _Garden State_).
Anyway, I watched _The Station Agent_ last Saturday with Capria. Its a qualified "did something for me." I feel that it was a bit over the top in terms of subplots, and some of the symbolic possibilities were too charged and obvious (i.e. Finn's "resurrection"). That being said, I liked the following elements very much:
1. The Chekovian slice of life style. The ending was gutsy and I loved that they did it.
2. The personal nostalgia for the rural northeast US in summer. Most of you know me as an urbanite, but I would be happy spending my summer drinking beer in the green shade and fly fishing for bass on farm pounds. Lots of great atmosphere there.
3. Characters who are completely losing it. Again, these individuals walk the fine line between compelling and annoying, but the bereaved mother worked for me.
4. Last but not least, the following extremely memorable line: "When I was 19, I actually slept with a guy because he rolled his own cigarettes."
This completely personal review is open for attack and mockery.
Posted by pjaussen at February 17, 2005 04:01 PMPaul, if you like these kinds of movies you have to rent Shaun of the Dead. It's touching and downright hilarious. If it's not right up your alley, I'll reimburse you for the rental, I swear.
Posted by: John Totten at February 17, 2005 04:23 PMdude, I love Shaun of the Dead. It's brilliant. Truly. And touching. PS When are you coming to Seattle?
Posted by: paul at February 18, 2005 08:58 AMagreed. i cried when ed was bit.
Posted by: meg at February 18, 2005 12:09 PMI cried when his girlfriend said she didn't want to hang out at the Winchester any more.
Posted by: paul at February 18, 2005 03:01 PMAs soon as I get a first paycheck. When that is, I do not know. I want to so bad it drives me crazy. I haven't got a job yet, and two weeks from now I gotta take five days off to fly back for David Littlejohn's bachelor weekend. Probably soon after that, I hope.
Posted by: John Totten at February 19, 2005 02:19 PMwell, definitely let me know. It'll be fun.
Posted by: paul at February 19, 2005 05:38 PMI feel embarassed because I just took my honey to see Hitch today and laughed alot. but Paul your point number four made me laugh out loud at the computer but I couldn't tell your Mom why because Beka was in the room. How do you guys find all these movies?
Dad
Posted by: Dad at February 19, 2005 06:20 PMPaul and Capria,
Hello! This is Pam and Scott Schield. We were friends of Capria back in Missoula and had a wonderful experience of meeting you at your beautiful wedding. When did you move from TN to WA? We are still is WV. Read some of your blog and sounds like grad school is going fairly good. Say hi to Capria for us and stay in touch.
Thanks,
Scott
Hi, Scott and Pam. It's good to hear from you both, although I am troubled by the possibly bizarre impression you now have of me because of this blog. Anyway, I hope you all are well in WV. Capria will be thrilled to hear from you and we will keep in touch.
Paul
Dad,
Glad you liked number 4. It's a pretty cool movie. We got your letter yesterday; thanks for the comics, they were great! The biographical one was a bit close to home. Miss you all.
Paul