Inspirations: Archives

We recently saw the most magical film, “Lars And The Real Girl.” Film-making at its finest, if you ask me; tremendous ensemble work, psychologically on the money, not one misstep over the top, when going over would have been so easy. It was ripe with pathos, that wonderful rich, true pathos so difficult to create without corn. This ‘pathos’ was indeed from the Greek; ‘a suffering passion, imbued with that quality of human, or animal experience, or its artistic representative, which awakens feeling of pity, sympathy, or tender sorrow.’ My dictionary writes of pathos as emotions, traits, or experiences that are evanescent, transitory and idiosyncratic, emotions that are often melancholy but excite feelings, at times with a detached pleasure. The truth of pathos grows throughout the story, worn beautifully by each character from their own view, their particular story. And as difficult as their lives become, they never lose their evanescent, idiosyncratic warmth, their pathos, nor their ability to connect. The story and acting are enough to enchant, but what most beguiles is the tremendous sense of connection. This is a community that honors its crazies. It felt like a mythical place where we do not disdain bizarre, disowned selves taking mortal form, where the simplicity of kindness blooms and grows, proffering hope. This was not the gaummy, sticky goo of too sweet ick. This was practical, no nonsense love; “I’ll pick you up and take you. Don’t be late.” This was a network of confused, fearful people willing to support someone doing things they did not in the slightest understand. I yearn for community reaching out in care, no matter what. I am not alone. We are a nation, perhaps an earth, longing to come together in simple gifts, to accept and open ourselves to one another through these… Read more »