All you need is love.

Okay, so I'm going to make a confession that is going to inevitably lead to some taunting. As I mentioned it's been a crazy, crazy week full of conferencing and networking and people and being "on". Being an introvert (albeit with extroverted tendencies), this has left me with a desire to be reclusive this weekend and get a little "alone time" in.
So what have I done?
Nothing.
I've got my patio garden started, so the weekend wasn't a total bust, but aside from that this weekend certainly lacked any productivity. Instead I puttered and relaxed, and watched a movie. Here's where the confession comes in. The movie I watched is one that I've seen many times and each time it elicits the same emotional response - outright sobbing. The movie? I Am Sam.
Laugh and taunt if you will. I don't care. I still love this movie, and it's likely I always will.

I remember the first time I had seen this movie was in Toronto, in 2001, with S. It was the late show, I remember that much, because it was really late and cold (I think it was in January) when we walked back to our homes and I clearly recall being so incredibly emotionally drained from sobbing almost through the entire movie. But then, after a hard first semester, an emotional release was probably not a bad thing.

I had often thought about buying this movie, but I don't buy movies very often and I certainly don't pay full price for them if I can help it! So a couple of months ago I found the movie in a discount bin, ridiculously cheap...and I bought it. Since then, I've watched it a couple of times and enjoy it just the same, even though it makes me teary every time.

So what do I like so much about it? The underlying theme: All you need is love. The plot is about a mentally disabled man who tries to be the best father he can be for his daughter despite his lack of financial resources and his low IQ. All the while society is telling him that his best is not enough. The plot is heartwrenching (naturally), but also very well executed. All the while we're following Sam's plight, we get glimpses into his lawyer's life and see the other side of the dichotomy: a life of affluence and privilege, but without love. Also, when or if you watch it, look at how colour is used, specifically red, the colour of "love". I know full-well that this movie is highly criticised, and many of the critics complain of it being too manipulative and contrived, but who cares what the critics think! While I appreciate hearing what other people think, I can make-up my own mind, thank-you-very-much. Laugh if you will.