My favourite movies...

Tonight I caught a few minutes of one of my favourites…Amadeus. I watched the sequence in which Mozart is introduced to the court and hears Saliari’s tribute for the first time, then, when challenged to play it from memory, not only plays it exquisitely but “fixes” it as he goes along. Much of the movie is sad and one realizes the challenge in living with such genius, but the superb portrayal of the character with his cocky nature, unforgettable laugh, and indomitable spirit makes the movie one I can happily watch over and over again.

There are several other movies that I’ll watch whenever I get the chance. Good Morning Viet Nam, Scent of a Woman, The Jazz Singer, Forrest Gump, Stand By Me, American Graffiti. Movies stick in one’s mind for the same reason a good book is not forgotten. It has to do with connections – the better job the work of art does in reflecting the feelings and emotions of the viewer/reader, the stronger the connection. We might not have first-hand knowledge of the time and place in history of Mozart, but we can all identify and cheer for the underdog; we try, through movies like Good Morning Viet Nam to understand our collective history; we all like to see good triumph over evil as in Scent of a Woman; we all identify with the human journey back to his roots in The Jazz Singer; and who wouldn’t pull for Forrest and, especially for those of us of a specific generation, identify with the contrived events in history visited by our hero? The coming of age stories in Stand By Me and American Graffiti also speak directly to people growing up in the 60s. It is said that if you remember the 60s you weren’t there, but movies placed in that time period bring on a wave of nostalgia.

And it isn’t just the plot or the characters. For me, in most cases, it’s the music – fantastic music woven throughout a journey down memory lane. There are, of course, other wonderful movies, ones that speak to memories, commonalities, unfulfilled dreams and heartbreaking sympathies. We recognize these aspects in ourselves and therefore embrace the character and the story. We each cherish our own favourites, depending on how they affect us.

We recorded Amadeus tonight. I can hardly wait to make popcorn, turn down the lights and enjoy the entire movie…yet again.