Saturday, November 1, 2008

Can You Fix My H-E-A-R-T, 'Cause It's D-A-M-A-G-E-D?


I changed my banner about a week ago. Did anyone notice? Well, it's okay if you didn't, I'm not hurt...really, I'm not. It's just that after having my lovely Stolen Kisses banner up there for months (longer than any other banner I've ever used), I would think that someone would have said something, anything about it.

Excuse me while I run off and cry.

Just kidding, everyone. As much as I loved my old banner, I decided it was time for a change and after watching both Ordinary People and Equus in the same weekend, I finally figured out my new theme: damaged boys. As Jack McFarland once said on an episode of Will & Grace (I believe it was the one where Michael Douglas guest starred, but don't quote me), "I love me some crazies." Well, I stand by that quote and here are four damaged boys that I just want to reach out and make better.

River Phoenix, My Own Private Idaho: I haven't seen this movie in awhile, and even then I wasn't sure how much I liked it, but one thing that will always stick with me is River Phoenix's legendary, achingly sweet performance. That camp fire scene where he just wants Keanu Reeves' character to hold him is one of the most endearing things I've ever seen. I'll hold you if you want me to!

Timothy Hutton, Ordinary People: I just bought a copy of Ordinary People and I'm still not sure why because every time I watch it, I'm an emotional wreck for days afterwards, courtesy of Hutton's psychologically damaged Conrad Jarrett. How can his mother not love someone as vulnerable and needy as him? I'll listen to the story of why you tried to commit suicide and I promise I won't start laughing when those obnoxious guys come in.

Jean-Pierre Léaud, The 400 Blows: Antoine Doinel is pretty much the original damaged teen, right? He lies, steals, plagarizes and runs away from home and yet we still love him throughout the entire film. How is this possible?! Because we want to fix him (well, at least I do) and he's not really that bad of a kid on the inside, just misguided.

Peter Firth, Equus: So he gets sexually turned on by horses, that's not so unusual, right? Well, maybe it is, but that doesn't mean we can't try to fix him. He's arguably the most damaged of the four and it would definitely take the most work, but isn't it worth it? I think so. I feel like a perv for saying this, but that scene where's he's riding that horse naked was very sexual even when it shouldn't have been.

2 comments:

J.D. said...

I noticed it! And I love it.

People don't talk about Ordinary People and Hutton in good terms as much as they should.

Marcy said...

I completely fell in love with Timothy Hutton's performance in Ordinary People. Despite the film's Oscar wins, it's still a pretty underrated film.

Lovely banner, btw!