I've heard it said that one of the problems with movies, television, books, you name it, is that the story always ends at Happily Ever After. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love but is unsure of herself and subconsciously repels boy, boy waits patiently for her to "find herself," boy performs a crazy act of stupid love, girl gets over her irrational fears, and they kiss in the rain.
We went to see a movie the other night that was none of that. It started with the Happily Ever After and went downhill from there. Then we saw the tiny house, the multiple jobs, the insecurity of young family, the children, the jobs, the dreams, the sacrifices, the priorities, the growth, the tears, the little fights, and the big rewards.
Now, normally I enjoy a movie because it whisks me away to a new place, makes me forget my troubles, and makes me dream just a little. This film offered none of that, but was a hauntingly familiar tune of daily labor, life's disappointments, and the sweet moments that make all those things worth the time and energy. There was no extra drama, no unusual twist, and thanks to all things holy, NO ALIENS. It was everything good about the world.
And the dog was fun too.
Go see Marley and Me.
