 |
| (photo by HouseofRetro) |
Thanks to a good friend with a Netflix account, Mike and I finally watched Gone With the Wind this week, fulfilling #94 on my list of 101 Goals in 1001 Days.
Many things about the movie surprised us. For instance, when "The End" flashed across the screen, Mike literally said in an annoyed tone, "REALLY?!?" After watching the 3 hour and 53 minute movie over a two day period, both of us were a little disappointed with the ending. Especially with the unrealistic way Hollywood movies are today, I think our expectations were too high. (He turns back...she runs to him...they embrace...you know how it goes.)
Here is a countdown of my biggest takeaways from Gone With the Wind:
5. The Scarlett O'Hara character was breath-taking. Really, truly beautiful. I can't think of anyone today who compares to how naturally stunning she was.
4. Clark Gable seemed old in the movie, but I looked it up and he was 38 (the same age as Mike is now) when he starred in it. Maybe it was because he was so tan...like leathery-looking tan. And he reminded me too much of Burt Reynolds to take him seriously. But there were a few choice scenes where I fell for his charm...
3. Scarlett's character was a brat! I had no idea...I was expecting her to be sweet and kind like Melanie's character for some reason. I must have thought all women of that era were meek and mild - ? I kept waiting for her to transform into a human being with a conscience, but after four hours, she was still completely self-centered. I couldn't connect with her because she made such ridiculous decisions.
2. In the 1800s, did they seriously keep dead people lying around for a few days while people mourned? When did they finally bury them...after they began stinking up the house??? Because seriously, that's just creepy. No wonder morgues were invented.
1. I now finally know the official reference of, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." And yes, she totally deserved it.
The first night we sat down to watch it, around 8:45, I heard a tiny voice say, "Mom?" (FYI - we put the kids to bed at 7:00.) We paused the movie so Kaylin could show us a microscope "hole" in her finger that was reason enough to disrupt bedtime. (Then I learned that she decided to be a big girl and was attempting to sleep without her blanket for the first time ever. That explained why she was having trouble falling asleep, even without a nap that day.)
On her way up the stairs, she blushed and said, "Um, mom? Can you save this show for me to watch tomorrow? I like it." I said, "How do you know you like the movie if you've been in your room, Kaylin? Were you watching it from the stairs?" She giggled and nodded. Even though coming out of their rooms is a big no-no for our kids at bedtime, it cracked me up that she was sneaking and watching our movie with us, even from afar. I wanted that memory to be recorded with this post because it was just so funny to me for some reason. Very "The Sound of Music" with the kids peering through the rail posts of the stairs.
I'm glad I finally watched this classic movie. Now if I could stop the randomlflashbacks of "Oh Scah-lett!" from popping into my head...
Posts
8 comments:
See now, I think Scarlett had a major transformation throughout the movie. Maybe it's my memory of the book that is coloring my impression (the book had quite a few differences) but I loved the way her character grew. In the span of a few short years, she went from saying "Fiddle dee dee" to "As God as my witness, I'll never go hungry again!" She was never the meek and mousy Miss Mellie, but she was so strong and courageous. But flawed too...she learned her final lesson a little too late.
And Burt Reynolds rocks. That's all I have to say about that ;)
I almost didn't read past "THAT'S IT!?" But I am glad I did because I think you got some of the gist.
I think the character development of Scarlett O'Hara is one of the best in literature. Her ending is a poetic one, and completely tragic. And then there is the contrast between Melanie and Scarlett. Oh, the discussions!
Anyways, I really think you need to remember that technicolor in the 1930's was a beast on people's skin. So, I think you were a little harsh on Clark Gable, personally. Although I am a bit biased.
And I think Burt Reynolds is great, too. :)
Seriously Katie... try watching The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and tell me you just don't love Burt Reynolds after that.
I've felt the same way about this movie and several other classic blockbusters. Jess and Chandy both have good points, and yet both are so hoodwinked. Burt Reynolds, really, Ladies? YUK! I almost never can connect when the person in character has no character.
Hoodwinked? For enjoying the complexity of one of the most interesting characters in film/literature? I hardly think so! :) Scarlett is defintely not the two-dimensional heroine we are used to today. Like Jes said, her character is tragic. And she may not even be likeable... but she is utterly human. Can you even imagine living in Scarlett's world?
This is a classic debate between those who read the book, then saw the movie and those who JUST saw the movie. I didn't have a chance to fall in love with regal Rhett because his technicolor skin was so blinding. :) Chandy and Jess didn't see the orange glow coming from the pages of the original novel. Hence, their true understanding of the character.
And Chandy, it's been years since I saw Best Little Whorehouse in Texas...as in the "I-didn't-know-what-a-whorehouse-was-back-then" years! Maybe it's time to revisit it...
Ok, that's it. It's been ages since I've seen this movie, but I'm revisiting it asap. And I have a birthday coming up .... maybe I'll ask for the book.
Until then, I think I'll just have fun and freak out my family by running around the house screaming 'I don' know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!'
:-)
I'm so glad I'm catching up on my blogs right now! Gone With the Wind is still one of my favorite movies ever. Maybe it's because I'm from the South. Maybe it's because I wanted to be as beautiful as Scarlett when I was younger. Maybe it's because my family has been in the area that I live in for over 150 years and I feel very connected to it like Scarlett did Tara. I don't know.
My first car's name was Bonnie Blue. I have eight collectible GWTW plates (five of which I'm planning on selling, though), three collectible houses from the movie (Tara, Twelve Oaks, and Aunt Pittypat's house), a music box with Scarlett's picture on the front, a commemorative movie program, and a gorgeous 50th anniversary print my mother gave me for my birthday one year. Yeah, you could say I was a little overboard. : )
Post a Comment