The Age of Adaline: Beauty, Pursuit, Love

Oreos? Ready with milk. Pillows? Check. Puppies? Cuddly.

All the right ingredients for a mushy rom com with my sister and a friend. After we struggled with the high tech TV for waaay too long (for future reference, turn it off and on again…), we snuggled up for the movie.

Expectation: Rogue female World War II spy never ages and tries hilariously not to fall in love but time travels to 2014 where she meets Han Solo and his younger doppelganger.

Reality: Age of Adaline. (It’s not about a spy.)

I’m not sure what happened, but I was totally unprepared for this heart-tugging, cinematically beautiful, classy love story. This film is overflowing with little gems. On the downside, I felt that the pace was unbalanced, the narrator unnecessary, and that it was a near miss from emotionally captivating. Despite this, the plot, characters, and relationships sketched in the storyline is the perfect blend of passion, depth, and authenticity. But what drew me in, aside from Blake Lively’s costumes/hair/makeup/shoes/being, was the persistent lover.

First, a bit about Adaline.

Born in 1908, Adaline Bowman is a young widow and loving mother when she is in a car accident/snow storm/lightning show and mysteriously/scientifically ceases to age. The film takes place in our very own 2014, where Adaline is living a lonely, loveless life. She has assumed countless aliases throughout her 107 years, and while she still maintains a rock-solid and totally endearing relationship with her 80-something daughter, she suffers from painful memories and guards her heart under lock and key.

What I loved about Lively’s performance is her balanced portrayal of a lonely but confident soul. Loneliness is a tangibly painful experience. Yet, with all her years, Adaline has amassed the poise and grace fitting a queen. Adaline devotes her time to many intellectual pursuits, including medicine, languages, and literature. Surprisingly, intelligence is an underused character trait these days, and Blake makes it so beautiful.

Enter Ellis.

Is he wealthy? I think so. Is he attractive? If you like long hair (which I do). Is he charming? A little bit, yes. But these aren’t qualities that matter much in the film. Ellis is our pursuing lover. In a fairy-tale worthy meeting, Ellis falls in love with Adaline at first sight. Of course, he knows nothing of her immortality. And, though encouraged by her beauty, it’s clear that Ellis is attracted to Adaline’s unique depth, graceful manner of speaking, and her obvious intelligence. He first saw her reading braille, and his heart was hooked.

Ellis sees the beauty of Adaline’s heart, and he is captivated. Yes, she has the looks of a thirty year old, but also the energy and passion of a youth as well. Ellis desires to know her better, to offer himself to her, and to do whatever he can for her greater good. The film follows the ups and downs which entail such a journey. Adaline is guarded and somber; Ellis works for her heart and bring her new joy.

If I could alter one thing about this film, I’d have a few competing ideas. But above all, I would add a dating montage! We follow Ellis’ journey of pursuing Adaline in a few concise dates. They’re romantic, meaningful, and they reveal the characters of both our heroine and her lover, but would it have killed the film to have a montage?

I always think stories need more character development, but artistically, the timeline works fine.I say this because my favorite part of this movie is the love story. Obviously, there are a lot of other great elements: Second chances, the gift of mortality, the love of a mother. But if you suspend the primary plot point and tell it as a “boy meets girl” story, its simplicity speaks volumes.

The unspoken truth is, it’s important to guard one’s heart. The dignity of a human person is not something to hand out to the first person who likes what they see. The cliché story of the apples at the top of the tree? It’s true. The best apples are at the top of the tree and can only be reached by one determined to reach them. Adaline doesn’t give her heart away. Ellis works for it. And once she begins falling for Ellis, Adaline must learn how to love authentically again.

I won’t say this film is for everyone. Stylistically, it’s a very particular cup of tea. But the basic love story is as true and applicable as the best of them. Not only did I walk away wanting red lipstick and a knee-length coat, I resolved to guard my heart, wait to be pursued, and act with gentleness, simplicity, and grace.

September 27, 2015 by Amanda Categories: beauty, chickflickTags: beauty, beliefs, chickflick, courage, femininity, pursuit 1 Comment

Doctor What?

There is too much goodness in BBC’s beloved Doctor Who to not delve into it, at least a little! From Ten’s hair, to Moffat’s “interesting” plot twists, and River’s love for her childish husband, there’s lots of fun to be had in the Doctor’s universe.

But my favorite part, by far, are the splashes of Truth permeating almost every episode. Sandwiched between hilarious scenes, shouts of “fantastic!” come rich themes of sacrifice, authentic love, human dignity, and freedom.

First Post: Time Lord vs. The Lord

September 24, 2015 by Amanda Categories: Uncategorized Leave a comment

A Knight’s Tale: True Love, Death to Self, and that Winning Smile

There are few movies in this world that are as unique and ridiculous and absolutely brilliant as A Knight’s Tale. Between the odd humor, relatable themes of suppression and freedom, and Heath Ledger’s gorgeous smile, it’s a film that takes me outside the struggles of life and delights me anew every time I watch it.

The basic premise: Will is a poor squire with dreams of changing his stars and becoming a knight. When (within the first 70 seconds), Will’s lord, Sir Eckert died suddenly before winning a huge jousting tournament, Will takes up the helmet and lance and impersonates the knight. Alongside his faithful friends, including Geoff Chaucer, Will struggles to stay on top of his new identity, makes an archenemy, and falls in love…

The love story is what I want to focus on.

Ye be warned, there be spoilers ahead…

Will and Jocelyn are such a strange pair, and I love it. Truly. When Will first sees Jocelyn, he is captured immediately by her beauty. Which is odd because her costumes are mildly unconventional… Nevertheless, Will begins to pursue Jocelyn. For a while, she won’t tell him her name. Unfazed, Will responds,

Before you know it, however, the two are fast in love.

We can discuss the practicality of their true love later; right now I want to expand upon my favorite part of the movie.

Everything is going fabulous for Will: He’s is a celebrity, he is reconciled with Jocelyn, and he’s about to win another big tournament. Not too shabby for a thatcher’s son. When he sees Jocelyn after months apart, he eagerly professes his love and promises to win the tournament for her. Sweet, right?

He tells her, “I’ll defeat each knight for you. Your beauty will be reflected in the power of my arm and the flanks of my horse.”

As one might imagine, Jocelyn is not impressed. She sees right through his pride and demands him to prove his love.

She says, “Instead of winning to honor me with your high reputation I want you to act against your normal character and do badly.”

Protesting, Will says that losing proves nothing. Jocelyn replies, “Wrong! Losing is a much keener test of your love. Losing would contradict your self-love, and losing would show your obedience to your lover and not to yourself.” If he will not lose, then he does not love her.

Will storms off angrily, clearly struggling with this request. But what does he do? Will proceeds to lose every joust, face every competitor, and take every lance’s blow. He is physically hurt, yet completely resigned to his fate. He gives up his winning-streak to prove his love.

Then comes the twist. Jocelyn sends her maid to Will with a new request: Win the tournament for her. (I don’t feel like I’m doing justice to the hilarity of this scene, but trust me, it makes sense.) Will, now at the bottom of the leader board, has to win every following match in order for the chance to win. He’s frustrated, and confused, but he sets out to win for her.

And after a long day of receiving blow after blow, Will musters up his strength, and wins the tournament. He has proven his love to Jocelyn and she gives him all her love in return. It’s a beautiful movie, guys.

But what does this entertaining scene do for the story? Is it fair for Jocelyn to demand such a thing from Will? Is it cruel to watch him suffer, on her behalf, and then ask him to win? I think not. This sequence of events convey a message difficult to hear in our take-what-I-want society but absolutely necessary to understand in order to love to the fullest.

Will’s biggest vice is his pride. He must choose which he values more: his self-love or his love for Jocelyn.It’s his vanity which gets him into trouble, and his lack of humility which continually hurts his friends. Jocelyn is not  vain or selfish in asking Will to lose. She’s not trying to beat him into submission or put him down. She is calling on him to die to self for her sake, to surrender his pride in preference for her, to cherish her dignity above his reputation.

Love is not about getting what you want, feeling good all the time, or doing whatever you want regardless of who gets hurt. Real love is putting another first. Real love is calling on our loved ones to act with love. Real love is willing the good of the beloved. Real love is dying to self.

When Jocelyn asks Will to prove himself, she’s showing him what it takes to be a lover. Her dignity is worth more than his high reputation. She is more than a beautiful face, a prize to be won. When Will denies himself and gives up his own desires to better love Jocelyn, he is becoming a better version of himself, entering into a deeper union with Jocelyn, and cultivating a higher love.

And, in the end, Will is ecstatic with the choice he made.

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 by Amanda Categories: chickflick, femininity, TrueLoveTags: beauty, chickflick, courage, crush, excitement, GOLDEN LOVE, happilyeverafter 1 Comment

The Healing Power of Music, Suffering, and Taylor

I rarely listen to music in public. I like the idea of “people-watching,” immersing myself in the hustle and bustle of lives, and finding a quiet solitude in the crowd. Like many introverts, I am as overwhelmed by swarming bodies as I am fascinated by them. Sometimes, however, I feel too lonely and dramatic to be alone with my thoughts in a sea of people; I cave, and put in my headphones.

It’s surprising and strange, but when I listen to music in a public place, I feel simultaneously more alone than ever and connected intimately with the musician. It never hurts to be serenaded by Michael Bublé, but it’s more than a simple joy. There are more than a few occasions when drowning the trials of the day in music is a deeply personal and healing process.

Today was one of those uncommon days when I just couldn’t bear it (it being this palpable loneliness I spoke of in being in a new place). Before I made it twelve steps, I was listening to my music. I maneuvered busy sidewalks, made it through archways, and even ordered my lunch while living in my own world where Hunter Hayes and The Piano Guys were the only visitors.

Then something happened. All of the emotion, joy, fear, prayers, and promises which have permeated my thoughts for days swirled into words – words which began to sing from my headphones:

“You saw me there, but never knew
That I would give it all up to be
A part of this, a part of you
And now it’s all too late so you see

I’ve been a lot of lonely places
I’ve never been on the outside.”

For those of you who don’t have the lyrics to this song taking up space in your memory, it’s “The Outside,” from Taylor Swift’s first album.

You may recall from one of my favorite reflections that I am a massive fan of Taylor, and believe her lyrics speak Truth in unexpected ways. We are in the frighteningly beautiful age of Miss Swift, and I think it’s amazing that a song from that first album applies to my life now, today, on September 15th, 2015, in a way it couldn’t nine years ago.

Like I said, music has healing properties. Music can bring tears of anguish, it can bring ridiculous laughter, and it can bring that rush of peace needed when one’s soul is being torn up in chaos.

“The Outside” is a difficult song to listen to; it’s heartbreaking, but real. People every day go ignored, unnoticed, uncared for. And yet, for the three+ minutes I listened to it, I suddenly felt less alone. Someone, at one time, felt what I feel, knew what I’m going through, and understood.

Guys, this is incredible. That someone has felt everything you have. You’ve been rejected by your family? Betrayed by your friends? Laughed at by your enemies? Felt alone and abandoned?

Jesus Christ knows your pain. He experienced it at His passion and death, and He suffers again with you. You know when a friend is going through a hard time? You can’t make them magically feel better, but you can feel their pain. Watching people suffer is a suffering in its own right. And Christ suffers.

In the moments I absorbed Taylor’s ballad, I felt better. The Lord whispered that it’s okay to be sad (shout out to Inside Out!); it’s part of life to experience suffering. But, in the midst of my struggles, I was reminded today by the power of music, that I am understood and known and loved by my Savior, my Lover, my Friend.

September 15, 2015 by Amanda Categories: ART, musicTags: beautiful, Faith can crush fear, Sadishappyfordeeppeople, T Swizzle Leave a comment

The Beauty of Home

“There’s no place like home.”

Pinterest explodes with homey decorations, scented candles and teacups, pop culture Judy Garland posters, and glittery red everything (nails, bows, pillows, lip-gloss, and shoes, lots and lots of shoes) at these famous words from The Wizard of Oz.

I’ve been ruminating on the idea of home for a little while now. You see, I have recently transferred schools and am much farther away from home that I have ever been. And, being the homebody that I am, I miss it. But, since we get the roses with the thorns, I am blessed with a simply delightful class about children’s books on film. The first book is L. Frank Baum’s famed The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

You may or may not know, this first book of the series is rather different from its groundbreaking film adaptation. One of the most notable differences is Dorothy’s age. She’s just a little girl. While no specific age is given, her goal of getting back to Kansas is uncomplicated and understandable for someone so young (her simplicity in the movie could be strange for a young woman). Like the child she is, even the confusing predicament of landing in Oz, she continues to do basic things that her Aunt Em taught her, like washing her face every morning, preparing her meals in an orderly way, putting the silver shoes of the wicked Witch of the East away before returning to talk to the good Witch of the North, and dressing with care before starting on the road of yellow brick. Dorothy shows great compassion and vibrancy, but we’re reminded repeatedly of her youth. She doesn’t even know where Kansas is, just that it is where she lives and she wants to get back. This simplicity adds a particular charm to the story.

For me, experiencing 36 emotions every seventeen minutes and over complicating everything, Dorothy’s simple determination and perseverance on her quest is inspiring. She experiences a lot of troubles (seriously, every chapter is a new conflict!), yet her desire for home is unwavering.

After Dorothy rescues the Scarecrow and the two set out on the road of yellow bricks, the Scarecrow listens as Dorothy describes the gray, old place she came from. He replies, “I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas.”

Dorothy answers, “That is because you have no brains…No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.”

There it is. No place like home.

Here I am, experiencing the pain of loneliness, the harshness of a new place, the coldness of strangers, and I’m missing something. No matter how much I like the song that sets my alarm off in the morning, or how busy I am with work, a part of me is always aching. My eyes wander to the nearest window, and I gaze past the awe and wonder of the mountains which surround me, and I think, “Somewhere out there is what I’m longing for. Out there is home, not here.”

But the reality is, for now, this is where God has called me. I am blessed to attend college, and I am honored to be on this campus. However, no amount of beauty could ever stop my flesh and blood from longing for my home. There’s nothing so beautiful as home. Yes, “home is where the heart is,” but it’s more than that. A true home echoes the Eternal Home for which our souls where made.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “The world is thy ship, and not thy home.”

So this longing for home that I feel in this desolate place is much like Dorothy’s longing for Kansas. It’s hard to explain, for our young minds have not the words. We don’t even know where home is, yet we long for it. I pray that we may stay on our own roads of yellow brick and one day be united with Him at Home.

September 3, 2015September 4, 2015 by Amanda Categories: beauty, book, home, musicalTags: adventure, beauty, becauseofthewonderfulthingshedoes, Dorothy, homeiswhereiwannabe, MygirlT, St.Therese 1 Comment