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DrWindyR
Reviews
Shadowlands (1993)
Very Good Movie - But Misses a Great Deal
Wonderfully acted and directed. The protrayals of C.S. Lewis and (a very few) of the Inklings are marvelous and touching. J.R.R. Tolkein, a prominent member of the Inklings and one of Lewis' good friends, was missing, however, and I found this puzzling.
There also was some plot development that was missing. C.S. Lewis was one of the foremost Christian apologists of the twentieth century, and it was his very Christianity that influenced his decision to marry Joy Gresham, and allowed him to grow to love her. Yet this very major aspect of his life wasn't touched upon at all. It was his Christianity that allowed him to love and to grieve, and to chronicle that love and grief in "Surprised by Joy" and "A Grief Observed." In addition, the initial reasons for which Lewis married Joy were not well defined for a modern audience.
His relationship with his wife deeply affected the rest of his life and writings - but this was hardly mentioned. In fact, emphasis on his writings was limited in the main to the Narnia series. Perhaps this was the only part of Lewis' life that strongly affected Douglas Gresham, but this series of books was only a minor part of his life and legacy. (And what a life and legacy, if Narnia is only a minor part!)
Although the movie is emotionally affecting, I find some serious flaws in the story-line. These limitations don't prevent me from enjoying and re-viewing it, however! It is a marvelous movie - just needs a little more "stuff."
DrWindyRN
Gay Purr-ee (1962)
One of the best of the impressionist cartoon genre
This movie is marvelous. The story is "girl-rejects-boy; girl-gets-into-trouble; boy-rescues-girl; all-live-happily-after." Very romantically satisfying. Paul Frees' voice is perfect for Meowrice, as is Robert Goulet's for Jeune-Tom. Judy Garland's voice is in fine fettle as Mewsette. The impressionist drawing and background style is unique. I've never seen another like it.
This is one of those movies parents can allow their children to enjoy without fear of their being exposed to too much sex and violence. On the other hand, adults can enjoy it, also, on a different level.
We still watch it regularly 3 or 4 times a year.