My "Love Affair" with Easter Holidays...

So, I have had a very enjoyable holiday so far. Today was productive and lots of fun- did my taxes, got some good results from that; spent a few hours out in the warm sun doing a few odd jobs; did some online shopping- new laptop coming- to celebrate the end of my "online shopping fast" for Lent; talked to the parents; played trivia on the computer; and now, I am cuddled up in my comfy watching my all time FAVOURITE chick flick, The Love Affair.



I first watched it with Nancy L. and some other girls during a "Girls Only" sleepover during high school. We had dyed our hair, ate yummy food, giggled until our stomachs ached, talked about boys and then the movie. I will never forget the goosebumps and chills I got from this movie. I seriously cannot explain what specifically about the movie moved me so much, but I get the exact same feelings every time I watch this movie.

I was reading somewhere today that it was actually considered to be a real flop of a movie, a directing/co-starring job for Warren Beatty, playing opposite his wife, Annette Bening... Compared to the other success films in their careers, it was not a high point, however, for me it is something truely special, partly as a result of the fact that they were married when they played these roles of two new, yet eternally destined true loves or swans as Katherine Hepburn suggests early in the film.

This movie is moving in SO many ways: the plot, which has been done more or less in many other movies through history, is rich and take these characters to beautiful and entirely romantic locations, especially Mike's aunt's (Katherine Hepburn) house in Tahiti near the beginning of the film; the chemistry, oh- the chemistry in the gazes, glances, smirks, hesitations and gestures of these characters, their chemistry, their soulful, emotional connection is dreamy and gives me the chills- especially thinking about the times Warren's character just stares admiringly at Annette's character, wanting to take the plunge and drop his lack of commitment to be with her; and the music- you MUST get the soundtrack if you ever have a chance to see this film- listening to the music brings you back into those moving moments of the film. Ennio Morricone really outdid himself in the composing department for this film- he captured the emotions; raw, genuine, painful, hopeful, exciting; and translated them into notes and melodies that burn into your heart and mind.


A lot of the movie leaves me painfully hurt that the main characters are too proud and independent to reach out to others when they are in need, but I guess it just helps to make you feel that much more resolution at the end of the film. Sorry for being so vague there, but I don't want to give away some of the plot, so that you can go rent it and experience the film as open mindedly, especially with regard to the raw emotion that it attempts to convey. (Word of warning though, it is a CHICK FLICK by all definitions and connotations. Don't watch it to expect mystery, suspense or action... it really would leave you un-satisfied.) Watch it if you are in the mood to cry, laugh, hope, dream, swoon and sigh. It's that kind of film.


One of my favourite scenes starts when Mike invites Terry to go see his aunt, played by Katherine Hepburn, who came out of retirement to be in the film. The journey to the house shows the warming of their feelings towards one another and the loss of the pre-conceived notions that Terry has towards Mike. She sees his warmer, caring, honest side, and become quite taken with him. Katherine's character, Aunt Ginny, is full of wisdom and I feel wiser and much more hopelessly romantic when she is finished sharing with Terry. One of the classic and most meaningful lines she shares with Terry is the following:
The trick in life isn't getting what you want, my dear, it's wanting it after you get it.

I also really enjoyed the conversation between Terry and Mike on the plane just before landing in New York. They were both clearly unsure and unhappy about the thought of leaving each other. Each of them weren't sure if the other was really as head over heels for them as they were. Terry didn't know if Mike was just playing her, as he did with so many other women. Yet Mike was also wondering if Terry really wanted to drop her fiance to be committed to him. He was trying to get to the bottom of her feelings by discussing how happy she was, and she if she could admit that she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. Insecurity and uncertainty were very rampant. Her response to him was:
"I guess I'm happy when I don't want to be anywhere else but where I am."
I love that thought, it makes me feel at peace and realize that I really do have a deeply happy life since there is no other place that I would rather be!

So, in conclusion, try to check out this film. Make some memories around it like I have, of good friends, crushes or true loves, joy and destiny. Tomorrow or Tuesday I am off to Short Lake for an extended camping stay. I am pumped as the weather looks incredible- sunny, and JUST cool enough to maintain the snow pack. La vita es bella!