deadPlaywrights

Sometimes, a fictional story can have such a profound effect on your non-fictional life, that it moves it into an astonishing place of question.

~me

I watched a movie last night called Living Out Loud with Holly Hunter, Danny Devito, and Queen Latifah. The film is based on a short story written by Anton Chekhov, a 19th-century Russian playwright, famous for comic satire pointing out human absurdity and the unhappy nature of existence.

With intelligent dialogue, honest realism, and insightfully deep and layered messages punctuated with just the right amount of humour and wit, this 1998 throwback is such a nice switch from the gratuitous mainstream movies of today.

Forgive me. I miss depth. 🤨

Holly, Danny, and Latifah are superbly cast and play such believable characters, it’s easy to forget they’re acting. It really is that good! It also has one of the sexiest, classiest, sensual dance numbers I’ve seen in a while. Holly is good. Like really really good. But I’m also a huge fan. Have been for years. And the soundtrack is amazing. Moody, funky, and bluesy, with lyrics that match the message and tone of the story completely. Seriously. If you haven’t seen this movie, and you enjoy smart movies, look for it. It’s definitely worth the watch and listens.

Here’s the dance scene I mentioned. You’re welcome. 😉

Now, while I absolutely loved watching this movie, I have to say that it has left me feeling all kinds of feels. There were so many lines of dialogue that resonated so profoundly, that it did move me into an astonishing place of question. Am I on the right path? Have I ever been? Where do I truly stand in my own personal truth? Am I living my life authentically? Or have I always stood in the shadows and let someone else take center stage? And what am I so afraid of that I keep making safe, calculated choices that direct the course of my, oftentimes, unhappy and unfulfilled life?

To be honest, some of the conclusions I’m drawing are making me feel a little sad. And a bit raw. But they’re also making me take a terrifyingly honest, yet wholly compassionate look at myself. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate? Or re-discover? Or just finally know…

Who, exactly, am I?

Yeah, I’m humming a bit from the impact of Living Out Loud. But it’s a good thing.

Sometimes life has away of presenting answers to questions you don’t even know you’re asking.

And sometimes they come from dead playwrights.

---

Stay safe. Be kind to one another. And if you love someone, say it. If you trust them, do it. If you want them, show it. If you need them, prove it. Actions really do speak louder than words.