So the results are in: Argo has taken the award for Best Picture. I was not entirely surprised – there was heaps of buzz when it first came out, and it won in two major categories, being Adapted Screenplay and Editing. Personally, Argo was entertaining and maintained a good pace but I don’t know if will stay with me as long as Life of Pi.
What was surprising, perhaps ironic or prophetic, was the First Lady Michelle Obama announcing a film about the CIA rescuing US diplomats from an Iranian regime as the best picture of the year…from the White House. Perhaps the only thing more poetic would be the President announcing Zero Dark Thirty as the winner. “My fellow Americans. Earlier this evening, a movie…”
Being an entertainment blog I suppose I should mention something about the Oscars, which are on Monday morning Australian time. I only managed to see, embarrassingly, 3 of the contenders for best picture this year, being Les Miserables, Life of Pi (review soon), and Argo. After the Batman experience I was put off going to the cinema for awhile somehow. And while I had opportunity to watch Lincoln on my long haul flying recently, the purist in me said to wait until I could see it on the big screen.
Still, for what little my opinion is worth, I hereby predict an Oscar for Anne Hathaway who was simply wrenching in her performance, a couple of technical awards for Pi, perhaps for sound and visual effects – I think the use of HD cameras on the ship scenes was a little lacklustre to me, but it was a visual treat so hard to say on cinematography. For Argo, possibly a screenplay award and a technical award. That it doesn’t have a director nomination makes it harder to win for picture, and that it is up against Les Mis and Pi, which was dazzling, it will be tough, but by far the best of the films I watched on the long haul trip my wife and I did recently.
Having only seen a few of the contenders I will withhold judgement on the top prize. And on that, I’m not sure I’m a fan of the large number of best picture nominations. I suppose in some ways its an acknowledgment of all the fine work that’s been produced in the year, and may be just a way of generating interest for the TV audience too, if someone was more cynical than I. It does make the job of picking a winner slightly more difficult, but regardless of any of that the event is interesting if only for understanding the way in which we discuss, analyze and enjoy this art form.
In My Week with Marilyn, a young Colin Clark dreams of joining the world of movie directors and actors so he sets out to join Laurence Olivier’s production company. With much persistence Colin is engaged by the company and is assigned as the third assistant director for Olivier’s next film The Showgirl and The Prince starring none other than Marilyn Monroe.
Not only is there much preparation for Marilyn’s arrival, the superstar is worshiped wherever she goes; with adoration heaped upon her by her fans, men are smitten by her looks and her charm; her voice and manner. And Laurence Olivier hopes that his experience with Marilyn will renew him, but Marilyn’s lack of confidence on the set threatens to destroy any hopes of this.
Marilyn is also in need of saving: One of the men involved in the production says ‘They like to keep her doped up. It makes her easier to control. They’re terrified their cash cow will slip away.’ They see Marilyn as more as a commodity or investment to be protected.
In this environment, Colin emerges as the only one who seems to care about Marilyn, defending her lateness or poor performance. Others warn Colin of falling for the ‘lost girl act’. Another time, Colin says she just wants a friend. The agent tells him to grow up.
Consequently, Marilyn invites Colin into her world in an increasingly intimate way. While everyone gazes at the Marilyn in the slinky dress (‘shall I be her?’), Colin sees the one inside, both emotionally and physically. They end up sharing a swim in a freezing river, and it’s hard to escape the Edenic naked-without-shame-ness vibe of the scene. In these moments we begin to see how show business has affected Marilyn: “That’s the first time I’ve kissed anyone younger than me. There are a lot of older guys in Hollywood.”
Colin himself, however, also worships Marilyn, telling her he loves her like she is a Greek goddess, and in some ways he’s just like all the rest. Marilyn just wants “to be loved like a regular girl” but “all people see is Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they find out I’m not her they run.”
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most recognizable figures in history, but she also lived a troubled life, which we get hints of here. While Olivier and Monroe both achieve success in the wake of The Prince and the Showgirl, how much better for them to be loved? Not as a god or goddess, and not as a consolation prize; not based on what they are like or what they have done, but for who they are. And how about the celebrities, personalities we may worship today? There’s a whole industry which lives off the salacious, troubled, and tragic celebrity stories. And I think My Week gets at the difference between loving the image or idea of someone, and truly loving them.
The Apostle Paul, writing to a church in 1st century, writes:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
If we are to love others, ambition, fantasy and lust must give way to truth and love. It involves knowing and understanding a person’s needs, caring for them practically (which I think Colin almost gets); appreciating them, genuinely and sincerely; not exploiting the other person, but seeking the best for the other person (which I think Colin almost gets). This is not just a good thing to do. This is the way God loves:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
“We’ve all heard the warnings and we’ve ignored them. We push our luck. We roll the dice. We play with fire. It’s human nature. When we’re told not to touch something, we usually do, even if we know better. Maybe because deep down, we’re just asking for trouble.” – Dr. Meredith Grey.
From Grey’s Anatomy Season 8, Episode 18: The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know about the band One Direction. Apparently, this British boy band is the most popular band on the planet, and everywhere they go they are mobbed by their adoring fans known as “Directioners”. You know you have true fans when they name themselves after you.
Three recent examples, though, illustrate the powerful effect that dedication to a band can have on an individual’s behaviour:
One Direction fans camp out to obtain prime viewing position of the band members
One Direction fans send death threats to members of another band suing One Direction over the use of the name
Now, I don’t think these “Directioners” would actually carry out threats to these people if they were face to face with them. Yet, they so desire the company of the band, or believe in the goodness of the band, that they would promote their experience of the band ahead of the wellbeing of other people (and themselves). At this point, they cannot say they are simply enjoying the band’s music.
Here’s some news coverage of the band’s arrival in Sydney (RSS readers may need to view on a computer):
