Movies and happiness

Last night Sylvie and Sarah fed me shepherd's pie then took me out to the cinema, their treat. I am a lucky friend. We saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which turned out to be heavier than we expected. The premise was inconsistent, but acting and filming were exquisite. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett were luscious, but I found Tilda Swinton especially, wistfully lovely. I suppose the underlying theme would be "Be happy you're alive," although it was executed awkwardly.

It reminds me I bought The Darjeeling Limited over the holidays, almost by accident and with recommendation from marian_w. It's directed by Wes Anderson, who also did The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou with many of the same actors. I've enjoyed watching The Life Aquatic several times, but I'm not a huge Bill Murray fan and liked Darjeeling even better (with Murray in a cameo instead of the lead). It's bound to become one of my favourites: a freaky, convoluted, adorable story with so many random details, it will stand up to repeat viewing (not to mention Jason Schwartzman is eye candy). A story about three estranged brothers attempting to reconnect was bound to remind me of my own distant siblings, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment or provoke stupid fantasies about a reunion.

This morning was one in a thousand: downy snow perched on every bud and twig, pale gold light washed over the canopy. I felt sorry for most of humanity who could not visit the Eramosa River at 10 a.m. It bolstered my bravery enough for the next few weeks.

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