Friday, January 15, 2010

Grease is the Word

First, allow me to apologize for my hiatus, I made as merry an Advent and a Christmas season as any mortal. But it is something that puts a smile on my face, because we emphasized family, gifts from the heart, quiet family time that is more fun than any "club" or pre 30-ish peer could offer. We gave gifts to the people who we remember as those who make our LIVES merry, not just a holiday bright. My younger daughter said it was the one Christmas she will always remember as her best.

Now, I am inspired by one of her gifts. She has long asked for the DVD, "Les Miserables" (which she called "LESS MIZERABLES"....smile again). You see, both of my 21st Century daughters have a love for old fashioned MUSICALS. Not just those of which I made a lark in MY teens, "Oklahoma", "Bali Hi".... no, they love "Grease", "Phantom of the Opera", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" et al. And I shake my head indisdain of "corny" literature, as if I am the artistic elite and I of all people know truly artistic excellence when I see it....NOT! The younger berated me for criticizing "The King and I".... ah me!

But, "Les Miserables", originally a novel by Victor Hugo, was indeed NOT a musical, but a dramatically superior interpretation of the novel, starring Liam Nieson, Uma Thurman and Geoffry Rush (Academy Award Winner) in the late 90's. Beautiful and charming cinematography, child acting that wasn't stiff, pasty child acting, believable characters and most surprising, *GASP*, Mother Church was not portrayed as the underlying villain of society, but the point in the journey of life that directed the traveler to the path of His Will!

The thief, Jean Val Jean was taken in at a low point in his life by a benevolent bishop, who, even though Val Jean had beat and stolen from him, gave him a second chance at life. The bishop's mercy and kindness allowed him to, "... buy back Val Jean's soul and give it to God." Something Val Jean never forgot. The film follows his life, attempting to do nothing but what Jesus would do, but also how modern day "Pharisees" can be misguided, while their intention is for the good of society.

So, one message I have for all of you who have avoided this film for fear of getting trapped in a boring, corny, sappy, pie-in-the-sky" musical with too many blond pony tails and red lipstick, take heart. It is truly a masterful rendering of Victor Hugo's novel and I am sure Hugo is most impressed.

We all, not only during December and January holidays attempt to "do right". Even now, and I'm not discouraging it, but we take particular solace in our efforts to ease the suffering of the least of us in Haiti, as Jesus has directed. This is not wrong, but how many of us who are Whole Bible Christians who make a concerted effort to live that doctrine 365 days a year? When we pass the "vagrant" on the street with the sign "Will work for food" either scoff at the fact that it's a veiled attempt to pan handle or ignore them, because they "make themselves poor", thus missing the opportunity to give them a "goodie bag" with maybe a cereal bar, box of juice and a holy card with the address of a nearby parish? Or, when we snicker at the woman who stays home with her child and goes to some private school to learn a trade as a phlebotomist at the age of forty, and we know they may be involved in alcohol or drugs and/or non sacramental relationships, lift our noses, knowing that WE are the pious person who works, attends school, honors our parents, cares for our spouses and children, attends mass weekly, visits the Sacraments, prays the Rosary..... or you forget the value of a Holy Card, the information on a caring parish.... or rather than simply protest (A GOOD THING BTW) an abortion mill, offer the confused pregnant woman some REAL options and support, rather than a sermon?

We all mean well. There is no reason to hang our heads, but we should rethink our actions, maybe thinking "outside the proverbial box" to solve life's challenges. To better Imitate Christ.

I am stuck on simple, modern films that teach simple timeless lessons in life. Jane Austen stories on film and Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" reminded me of these things. It took a wise teenager (now, where did she get that from?) to take her Old School mom BACK to school :)