Something that this story gave me that changed my life was the idea that everything is connected. And anything that you like about your life in this moment wouldn't be possible without all of the good and bad that came before it. My father died when I was 19, and it broke me. But if he hadn't died, I wouldn't have my children. Because it's all connected. Fantastic movie.
Lovely piece of writing, after age 45 it feels like we’re all constantly grieving the loss of someone or something but there are moments of light & laughter. You must have read (but if not please do), Suspects by David Thomson, delicious, witty noir with ‘connections’(trying to be spoiler free to anyone who hasn’t read it) to Bedford Falls. Reading your piece makes me want to re-read it.
This right here> “I found almost all of my friends, all the ones in my age group — women and men — were equally tired, confused, broken (or at least fractured). None of them were prepared for how hard “this” is. Being an adult.”
We are bruised and battered and hardly recognize ourselves.
Gotta agree with you on every front here, thanks for sharing all that you did in this piece. I've only seen the film once, which was either last year or the year before, but it resonated with me even then, at age 19/20. This year I turned 21 and almost lost my father. Maybe next year I'll be able to watch the film again, a little less raw from the ups and downs of 2023. Which also reminds me: Do you have plans to move this newsletter? Some I follow on here have completely deleted their archives and left
This piece speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you so much for sharing it. I haven’t lost a parent but I feel like I understand a lot else of what you are speaking about here. I feel I have a lot to say but I can’t quite articulate it at the moment. Going to have a little cry and then see if I can come up with a better response.
We used to watch It's a Wonderful Life every year at Christmas. We no longer do. Two dozen or more times was enough. Perhaps, in a few more years, we might watch it again.
It didn't do well when it was first released because it was released at the wrong time. Pessimism was not in fashion in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
Just last year, my 27 year old son said he's never understood why I watch it over and over... but last year, he said "It's a good film." Tone of amazement! I expect that is his beginning, and he'll begin to travel with it now.
This IS a wonderful piece of writing and thought--thank you!
Something that this story gave me that changed my life was the idea that everything is connected. And anything that you like about your life in this moment wouldn't be possible without all of the good and bad that came before it. My father died when I was 19, and it broke me. But if he hadn't died, I wouldn't have my children. Because it's all connected. Fantastic movie.
Lovely piece of writing, after age 45 it feels like we’re all constantly grieving the loss of someone or something but there are moments of light & laughter. You must have read (but if not please do), Suspects by David Thomson, delicious, witty noir with ‘connections’(trying to be spoiler free to anyone who hasn’t read it) to Bedford Falls. Reading your piece makes me want to re-read it.
This right here> “I found almost all of my friends, all the ones in my age group — women and men — were equally tired, confused, broken (or at least fractured). None of them were prepared for how hard “this” is. Being an adult.”
We are bruised and battered and hardly recognize ourselves.
It's a wonderful analysis! Yes, I find it a harrowing watch. Thanks for sharing your insights Cole.
Excellent analysis. I enjoyed reading.
Gotta agree with you on every front here, thanks for sharing all that you did in this piece. I've only seen the film once, which was either last year or the year before, but it resonated with me even then, at age 19/20. This year I turned 21 and almost lost my father. Maybe next year I'll be able to watch the film again, a little less raw from the ups and downs of 2023. Which also reminds me: Do you have plans to move this newsletter? Some I follow on here have completely deleted their archives and left
This piece speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you so much for sharing it. I haven’t lost a parent but I feel like I understand a lot else of what you are speaking about here. I feel I have a lot to say but I can’t quite articulate it at the moment. Going to have a little cry and then see if I can come up with a better response.
We used to watch It's a Wonderful Life every year at Christmas. We no longer do. Two dozen or more times was enough. Perhaps, in a few more years, we might watch it again.
It didn't do well when it was first released because it was released at the wrong time. Pessimism was not in fashion in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
Eventually, the right time did come along....
Just last year, my 27 year old son said he's never understood why I watch it over and over... but last year, he said "It's a good film." Tone of amazement! I expect that is his beginning, and he'll begin to travel with it now.
This IS a wonderful piece of writing and thought--thank you!