Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “Movies”

14 Mar 2014
2 Comments

Shakespeare Goes to the Movies


David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4

David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4  Is he as surprised the Bard inspired moving and shaking found in film?(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shakespeare would no doubt be uber-wealthy from selling screen rights had he lived so long to see all his plays adapted to the screen.  In fact, I wonder how many students realize that all those adaptations have a primary source in the form of stage?  Shakespeare was indeed a playwright and not a screenwriter, yet it is difficult to realize that fact with so many adaptations running around in the cinemas. It’s fairly safe to say that a Shakespeare-driven plot comes out at least once during the year.

With that all out of the way, you can imagine my delight when I came across a website devoted to all the film versions of Shakespeare. It groups them by play and 176 pages you get the idea how much influence old Billy the Bard on Hollywood.  The Hamlet section only is nearly 20 pages!

Oh yeah–this is another Library of Congress find. Have I gushed enough about how the Library of Congress so absolutely rocks?

This treasury of Shakespeare is not just films.  It includes the serious to the silly. Having just finished our AP rundown of Hamlet and Co, I found some select entries for our favorite Prince of Denmark:

HAMLET (Icon Productions/Warner Bros., 1990). Dir Franco Zeffirelli. Wrt Christopher De Vore,
Zeffirelli. With Mel Gibson (Hamlet), Glenn Close (Gertrude), Alan Bates (Claudius), Paul Scofield (The Ghost), Ian Holm (Polonius), Helena Bonham-Carter (Ophelia).
1 videodisc of 1 (laser), ca. 135 min, sd, color, 12 in. LC Purchase Collection. DAA 3087.

HAMLET–CLAUDIUS (ACTOR, A Center for Theatre, Education, and Research, University of California, Santa Barbara/Barr Films, 1991). Series: Shakespeare Explorations with Patrick Stewart. Artistic Director: Patrick Stewart. Technical Director/Editor: Ray Tracy.
1 videocassette of 1 (VHS), 25 min, sd, color, 1/2 in. Copyright Collection. VAD 3701.
Produced for educational use (college level). Patrick Stewart discusses and acts selected parts of the play portraying the character of King Claudius. (VHS)

TALES FROM THE CRYPT. TOP BILLING (Tales From the Crypt Holdings/HBO, 6/26/1991). Dir Todd Holland. Wrt Myles Berkowitz. With Jon Lovitz, Bruce Boxleitner, John Astin, Louise Fletcher, Kimmy Robertson.
1 videocassette of 1, 28 min, sd, color, 3/4 in. Copyright Collection. VBI 9816.
Episode from the 3rd season of the horror anthology series based on the comic books published by
William Gaines in the 1950’s. A failed actor (Lovitz), who cannot get work because he doesn’t have “the look,” answers a casting call for Hamlet only to find himself chosen for the part of Yorick’s skull in a staging of the play by inmates of an insane asylum. (DVD – on Tales from the Crypt–The Complete Third Season)

GREEN EGGS AND HAMLET (Rock’s Eye Productions, 1995). Dir Mike O’Neal. Wrt O’Neal, Chris
Springfield. With Allen Corcorran (Hamlet), Ronald H. Cohen (The King), Richard “Humus” Doherty (The Queen), Josh “Coppertone” Powlesson (Laertes), Robert A. Knop, Jr. (Polonius), Siobhán F. Jess (Ophelia), David Seal (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern), Richard James Mason Horatio).
1 videocassette of 1 (VHS), ca. 77 min, sd, color, 1/2 in. Copyright Collection. VAE 6461.

Got a hankering for a Titus or a Midsummer Night’s Dream?  Check it out Shakespeare on Film

English: banner Shakespeare

Shakespeare (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Posted in creativity, education, Libraries, Literature, Movies, reviews and tagged , , , , ,
20 Jan 2014
2 Comments

ChromeCast Conclusions


Over the holidays, as I solicited advice on buying a new laptop, my tech progeny convinced me to buy a ChromeCast. I did. Since then I have come to the following concusions:

  • It’s a great value for the inexpensive purchase price.
  • It’s easy to set up and even easier to use.
  • It’s versatile in use, ranging from music to videos to film clips to entire movies.
  • It’s portable and travels well, meaning it has possibilities of being set up on other screens.

And the best part?

  • There are no additional costs involved.

The progeny originally used the argument of my movie passion to convince me to buy it. “No more running to the library or grocery store for a nightly flick!”
However, I did balk at the idea of re-upping with NetFlix. Not so much a bad experience, just one more monthly payment to keep track of. Instead, I signed up for the free monthly trial, did the trial period, and cancelled by the deadline. I won’t be signing up for NetFlix? Why? They don’t carry the movie selections I primarily enjoy–namely classics and the odd oldie. Netflix is fine for the current box office run, but I can live with my dollar specials available at the local grocers.
Instead of movies I’m primarily using ChromeCast for Pandora.
Right, I’m playing music on our TV. The sound system is better than my iPhone, it’s soothing to watch the little pictures float across my screen, it’s lovely background to reading, and it’s commercial free. No kidding. For some reason when Pandora is ChromeCasted no commercials pop up.
I have on occasion YouTubed with ChromeCast. It is possible to find full-length flicks on there, you just have to know what to look for and where to look.
All in all, it’s been the best present to myself that the whole family enjoys.
Anyone use ChromeCast beyond movies and music?

Posted in Movies, Music, Reflections, reviews, technology, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged , , ,
04 Jan 2014

Monkeying Around


I usually don’t follow the trend, yet those monkeys got me smiling with their extra effort this year. Plus I wanted to do some shout outs to the main commenters throughout the year: LazyCoffees, Literary Tiger, Stehothej, Letizia, and Eagle-Eyed Editor. Thanks guys!
A couple of reflections–I had no idea concrete poetry was such a popular search item! Perhaps it’s time to boost ratings with another round. Also, Sparky Sweets continues to get hits. Hmmm, respark another post?
So, the tts are a bit of a report card. I’m not much for checking my stats, although I do get a kick from how those little monkeys put together the end of the year prez.
Off to another year–gee it would be grand to get Freshly Pressed this year (wee hint).
Happy New Year, One and All!
m

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,200 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Posted in Americans, Blogging, Literature, Movies, Seasons, technology, time management, Writing and tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment
12 Dec 2013
5 Comments

Movies into Books


Reading a really great book can evoke the response of “Wouldn’t this make a great movie?”  Hollywood might be fall down from lack of source material without all those great reads out there.  Then again, I admit there are some really great movies that would make great books.

1. The Visitor: 2007/Richard Jenkins

The Visitor (2007) Poster

Walter, a widowed college professor, travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young illegal immigrant couple, Tarek and Zainab living in his apartment. While an uneasy friendship forms between them, the relationship becomes complicated when Tarek is arrested and Walter tries to help prevent deportation.

The movie sensitively presents the issue of immigration and illegal immigrants without too much political statement. The richness of moments and dialogue between the characters is what takes the movie to a level of deeply appreciating the various paths each human takes while journeying through life.

I would like to see this as a book to better “hear” each character’s thoughts, perhaps presented in the new chapter omniscient format.

Cover of "The Interpreter (Widescreen Edi...

Cover of The Interpreter (Widescreen Edition)

2. The Interpreter: 2005/Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn

Political intrigue and deception at its best. Set  inside the United Nations, Nicole Kidman plays an interpreter who overhears an assassination plot and CIA agent Sean Penn is assigned to investigate whether there is validity to her claim. Both are hurting from personal losses and form a bond from their mutual pain.

I would like to see this as a book because it is an intelligent thriller that explores aspects of an unknown field of work to me: United Nations interpreter. There are twists and turns to the plot that would make it a definite page-turner. And while Penn and Kidman’s characters are attracted to each other there is no distraction of a romantic relationship sideswiping the plot.

3. Flawless: 2007/Michael Caine, Demi Moore

Set in 1960s London, Michael Caine and Demi Moore both work for the London Diamond Corporation. Caine, a custodian about to retire, convinces Moore, the lone female executive who longs to break the glass ceiling, to get back at the company that has wronged them by lifting a few diamonds. A heist film of high caliber, exploring class and gender constraints.

I would definitely like to see this as a book because who can resist an intelligent whodunit heist? No murder, per se, just well-written character portrayals with a death on the side. Oh yeah, all those diamonds disappearing is pretty good intrigue, too.

4. Finding Forrester: 2000/Sean Connery, Rob Brown

Rob Brown, in his first role, plays a high school basketball player who happens to be a writing prodigy. He hides his writing in journals he carries in his backpack. On a dare gone wrong, he inadvertently leaves his backpack in an apartment he and his friends explore.  Sean Connery executes a fine performance as a reclusive author who wrote the Great American Novel and retired from writing and the world.

adaptation by James Ellison

Actually this did come out as a book and  held its own.

One thing noticeable about my choices is they are about issues and relationships. CGI nowhere to be seen.  Hmm, that says something, doesn’t it?

So–what movies to books are you hoping for at the  library near you?

Posted in Books, Movies, Reading, Reflections and tagged , , , , ,
08 Dec 2013

A Balm for Katniss


The Hunger Games (film)

The Hunger Games (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As much I relish the Hunger Games series being brought to the big screen, there is one aspect of the story that continues to hamper my true enjoyment the progression of the series: the bleak monotony of despair.
Throughout the books, and in the film, all the main characters live in the clutches of fear. Fear of starvation, punishment, pain, and death all permeate the plot and are the motivators for the characters.
Something is needed to relieve the continual roller-coaster of despair and it isn’t going to come sailing down in a little tinkling parachute.
Prim hits on what’s needed at one point in the plot when she answers Katniss’s inquiry of what’s different now (Catching Fire) than before (Hunger Games): “Hope.”
And this is true–without hope there is despair.
Suzanne Collins creates an atmosphere of despair by utilizing Roman rule elements when she created the setting of the Hunger Games. It’s the plebeians versus the patricians complete with coliseum games as an opiate for the masses. One aspect which is not included in the Hunger Games is that many of the coliseum participants were Christians imprisoned by Roman rule. The emperors were threatened by this new religion because a new King threatened their rule: Jesus of Nazareth. He gave the people hope, something Roman rulers could not.

Jesus of Nazareth (miniseries)

Jesus of Nazareth (miniseries) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While hope is offered in the latest installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, there is a missing component which is so vital to completing hope’s salve to the wounds of despair: faith.
There is no religion, no deity, no promise of afterlife in the series, which is why despair and oppression permeate the mood of the story.
If possible, I would send Katniss a balm of hope in order to instill the need of faith that there is a better Way. Psalm 27 seems to be one parachute I could send.

Anyone out there have their own balm of hope they might send?

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30 Nov 2013
5 Comments

When Movies Meant…


A box of Junior Mints

Movies and Junior Mints. The perfect combo.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Movies. I do enjoy a great flick. Admittedly, I rarely actually go to the theater anymore to watch a first run.  You will find me trawling the New Releases at my supermarket instead. Why? Oh, lots of reasons.  The main reason is because I remember when movies meant…

1. A Really Special Night Out.
We dressed up and anticipated An Evening. We selected the movie, the theatre, and piled into the family Buick and drove downtown. After parking, we promanaded along the sidewalk, anticpating the moment Dad stepped up to the little glass booth and announced out ticket needs: “1 child, 2 adults, 1 teen.” Stepping inside we handed the uniformed usher our tickets and entered into the lobby.  MyOMy–as a kid I felt like Dorothy entering Oz. Plush carpets, shiny brass rails, subdued lighting, posters of upcoming movies.  And an upstairs.  The bathrooms were marble and gloriously huge. Stalls galore.  Just going to the theatre proved thrill enough.

2. More For Your Money.
Not only did your ticket gain you admission into the glamour of the Rialto or Roxy, it secured two to three hours of absolute transfixing entertainment. The red velvet curtains parted, and the newsreel played, and then the cartoon: Bugs Bunny or Woody Woodpecker or maybe Tom and Jerry. The B feature (hence the term “B” grade film) played and finally the MAIN feature. I can’t remember all the films my parents brought me to and I don’t remember too many babysitters, but I do remember hanging out on the stairs while my folks watched Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl or Hello Dolly and the like. No problem if I wasn’t in sight. It was the good old days.  Safe and sane times. It was G, M, or X back then.  No, my folks didn’t take me to any X-rateds, but I do remember my share of shoot em-ups with Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Sean Connery. Dad picks. Barbara Streisand if Mom picked. If the adult fare bored me or if the folks thought I should “step out” for a bit I would traipse upstairs and perch on the steps to peer down on the those below. Maybe even sneak into the balcony section, at least until the usher checked through with his flashlight. 

3. Appreciation For Seeing the Film Right Then or Miss It.
A person anticipated a movie. The previews tickled our curiosity. The television adverts build up suspense. And finally the standing in line to see the newest. Because if you didn’t see it in the movie theatre you waited until it came out on Movie of the Week on the TV and then it would be sliced up by commercials or sanitized to neatly fit into alloted time slot.  No VHS, let alone DVD or Blu-Ray or streamed versions. WhoTube?

4. Snack Bar
Milk Duds or Junior Mints tasted far better being purchased from the theatre snack bar. Yes, they were more expensive, but the box was bigger.  You never found that size box at the local grocery store.  And there is something better about movie popcorn as well, especially the Dr. Pepper that went with it.

5. Disney In All Its Glory
My much older brother received Matinee Duty. Then again I am sure he derived some pleasure out of driving the family car downtown and getting movie and snack bar money, out of watching Lil Sis for a couple of hours.  There is nothing like watching a Buena Vista nature film prior to the REAL show.  Disney Movies do best on the Silver Screen. Moon Spinners, Jungle Book–ohgolly, those were the days.  The Walt days of Disney.  Yup, the best days of Disney.

I could do a whole separate blog on the Drive-In experience. Hmm, I probably will.

Though I will always and forever be a Book Booster, I do enjoy my flicks. These days though, it’s the big screen via the comfort of the living room.  Got my recliner and my remote control.  I also crave those Special Features.

My inspiration for the Old Days of Movie Going came from this here  Check it out.  If you remember Bugs Bunny days you’ll love the reminiscing.  If you don’t remember Bugs and the Merrie Melodies theme song–ah well, let’s just say, the good old days were really good in many ways.

The Essential Bugs Bunny

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Posted in America, Movies, Reflections and tagged , ,
01 Oct 2013
7 Comments

Male Bonding


50 years of Bond films
is definitely a time of reflection.

The six James Bond actors of EON Productions f...

The six James Bond actors
of EON Productions films, as they appear in their individual gun
barrel sequences, from left to right – Sean Connery, George
Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel
Craig. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night The MEPA and
I rented Skyfall to celebrate that I arrived
home with absolutely no papers to grade. Perhaps the first time
since school started.  Although we experienced
Skyfall in all its IMAX wonder, there’s
nothing like cozing up on the sofa in my IKEA robe with a handful
of chocolate macaroons, watching a Bond flick with my favorite guy
next to me. Who needs to wait for the weekend?

Bond. James Bond.

English: James Bond films

English: James Bond films
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He is part of the culture. An
icon. An institution.  And he’s held his age quite well,
considering he’s been shot at, tortured, survived impossible
reckless encounters with cars, rockets, really big men with iron
teeth–let alone his penchant for fast women and fast cars.
Drinking martinis alone should have aged him. I’m thinking the
choice of Bond reflects what we expect of our male ideal. Sean
Connery: THE James Bond–cool, calm, quick with a well-place quip.
A man’s man, and every woman’s ideal. Connery reflected the
sixties male of being in control of his environment, and that
included women.

Sean Connery at the private party after the pr...

Sean Connery  (Photo
credit: Wikipedia)

Roger Moore: It must have been tough following Sean’s footsteps. Sean exuded capability, while Moore
attempted charm. He tended to mistake panache for pandering
and I just couldn’t warm up to his lack of physical prowess.

English: Sir Roger Moore

English: Sir Roger Moore
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Timothy Dalton: Dalton had the
looks, charm, and physicality of the suave secret agent. I had
hoped for a longer run.

Pierce Bronsan: A great
transition from Remington Steele to steely nerves and smooth demeanor.  Bronsan brought class to the series and reflected the nineties male who still showed a bit of chauvinism towards women, but also respect–once they earned it.

English: Brosnan Pierce at Cannes in 2002.

Pierce Bronsan (Photo
credit: Wikipedia)

Daniel Craig: When Bronsan got
bounced from the series the pressure must have been tremendous for the next Bond in question, yet this blonde Bond has transcended and
redefined the role. He epitomizes the tough male who is willing to show his compassionate side. I see Craig’s Bond as the modern King Arthur, tough yet revealing a vulnerability. Bond. If you think about
it, he is a reflection of what we expect out of our males for that
particular era. So, bond today?  No pressure, guys. Just
be good with a punch, be it verbal or physical, and don’t forget to shake your martini. Oh yeah, it’s okay to shed a tear for a fallen comrade, should the need arise. Any votes for
your favorite Bond?

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10 Sep 2013

An Encounter of the Stein Kind


Celebrity spotting can be fun and definitely livens up conversations as people trade their “I saw —- at —–,” quips and crows.  Spotting is one thing, encounters are another.

Encounters are where you actually get to have a conversation, or spend some time with the person of celebre status. For instance, I’ve spotted Viggo Mortenson signing autographs at an art gallery showing (promoting his North American photo art), the Portland Blazers at the airport (wow–they are tall), Ralph Nader giving a speech, but never conversed with them, hence no encounter checkmark.

Ralph Nader, speaking at BYU's Alternate Comme...

Ralph Nader (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fotografía de Viggo Mortensen en la presentaci...

Viggo Mortensen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This summer while vacationing, The MEPA and I were walking in a park and I tend to get annoyed when the people in front of me are moving too slow.  I would not be a good candidate for Disneyland action in summer. I am about to pass this older gentleman in front of me, when I hear The MEPA speak up, “Would that be the famous Ben Stein?” and I do a double-take when I hear, “Yes, it is.” And it IS Ben Stein! I think, “Cool, Ben Stein,” and begin to give him his space, because it must get tedious to have the public pester you just because you are famous. But then he starts talking to us and not wanting to be rude we match stride with him and before you know it I’m walking next to Ben Stein around the park.  Here’s what I basically remember:

Ben: And what do you do for a living?

Me: I’m a teacher (this is where he got interested)

Ben: Really? What do you teach?

Me: Freshmen English and Senior AP Literature (then he got really interested)

Ben: I would love to come to an AP English class. Could I come to your class? What would I have to do? (he was serious!)

I then explained about security measures, about how he would have to let the high school knowing he is coming and how he would have to sign in, and at this point I’m thinking “Do I really want Ben Stein watch me teach?” It’s a bit intimidating, if you think about it.  Here is one of the most famed teachers (at least of popular culture) asking to drop in on my class:

As we continued to walk Ben expressed his concerns about students and literature:

Ben: I don’t think kids today read enough. Do you teach The Great Gatsby?

Me: Actually, that’s taught at the junior level.

Ben: Do the kids like it?

Me: I think they like it better since Leonardo di Caprio is in the new movie.

Ben: Have you seen the movie?

I replied I hadn’t, explaining it looked a bit too hipped up for my taste, and considering I didn’t like  Baz Luhrman’s version of Romeo and Juliet I didn’t think I would be seeing his version of Gatsby anytime soon.  Ben agreed he didn’t care for Luhrman’s R&J either, but floored me by saying he’s seen The Great Gatsby thirteen times! Thirteen times! I didn’t even watch Star Wars more than five times when it came out in the theaters (yes, my age is showing again, darn it).

Our walk ended because we were continuing on and he wanted to return and walk back to the park entrance. Since that encounter I wonder if I will ever get a phone call from our principal saying Ben Stein is in the office and says he is ready to be my guest for the day.  I’ve decided to create a Ben Stein lesson plan should the event arise.

First of all, I can’t resist attendance. I go by class seating not alphabet.

“Bronson, Taylor, Reynolds–oh, Stein. Yes, you must be new. Welcome to class.”

Of course, there would be introductions: “Class, this is Ben Stein. He is interested in AP Literature. Mr. Stein, I believe you were a teacher once?”

Maybe I would turn the class over to him.  As long as he didn’t talk about economics, I think my students would be interested in what he had to say.  Maybe he would talk about The Great Gatsby. This could actually have possibilities.

So, if you are walking in the park and have an encounter with Ben Stein, could you please tell him I’ve got the lesson plan ready?

English: Ben Stein speaking at Miami Universit...

Posted in Blogging, Movies, Reflections, Teachers, Uncategorized and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
20 Aug 2013
1 Comment

The many faces of Juliet


image: fanpop.com

  •  I’m not quite in countdown mode, nonetheless, I am very much anticipating the new version of Romeo and Juliet which is FINALLY being released in the US.  I have been following its progress for the past two years, waiting, watching for news, photo releases, projected film dates. And finally, yes finally, the new Romeo and Juliet will be out in theaters in the fall. First they said February, then it was July, and then I heard September, and unless they’ve changed it again, it should be coming out about the time school is back in full swing.  Field trip, anyone?

  • image: thewallmachine.com

    • image:gnomeoandjuliet.wiki.org

    • Another reason I’m so excited about a new version of Romeo and Juliet is because it’s overdue for a freshening up. The 1968 version with Olivia Hussey had its moments, and although it didn’t follow the play exactly, it does give students a fairly good idea of the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers.  West Side Story is the classic sixties adaptation, and once again, it is not the true play. The 1990s version with Leonardo D. and Claire strays too far from the actual play to count as a true teachable film version. Interestingly enough, my ninth graders either love it or despise it, due to its style. Of course, they all adore Gnomeo and Juliet, which is cute, yet again, strays so far from the play I only serve it up as an inducement,provided they get all their R&J assignments in by the end of the quarter.

      Other reasons I’m looking forward to the new version:

      1. Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet.  She owned the part of Mattie in True Grit, and held her own against Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, who were also impressed with her. I can’t wait to see what she does with Juliet.
      2. Updated cinematography. 1968 to 2013 means improvements in the quality of production.
      3. I’m really tired of the 1968 Zeferelli movie. I have taught ninth grade for 10 plus years with three to four sections each year, which means I’ve watched the film, oh about 40 times. Yeah, I’m ready for a new version.
      4. Paul Giametti as Friar Lawrence. I’m a Paul G fan, for sure.
      5. Julian Fellowes adapted the play, (Downton Abbey), and that in itself is a huge reason my anticipation factor is revving up.
      Anyone else anticipating a new Juliet with her Romeo?
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Posted in Movies, Reflections, Teachers, Uncategorized and tagged , , , ,
07 Aug 2013
7 Comments

What Price for Truth?


I am not prone to read books about the Holocaust. My mother, being German and having lived through the horrendous devastation of WWII, is my reminder of the harsh cruelties of war. I do though enjoy parallel plots and historical mysteries, and I picked up Sarah’s Key at the library for those two reasons, hoping its Holocaust story would not be too overwhelming. Unfortunately I found myself too much involved in the story before realizing the story would not have the happiest of endings.  So this serves as your SPOILER ALERT–if you can’t bear books of tragedy then I suggest finding another novel.  However, if you are attracted to the likes of The Kite Runner, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and The Life of Pi, that is a story where redemption is featured, then you might seek out Sarah’s Key.

While most Holocaust stories focus on German Jews, other countries also persecuted their Jewish countrymen. In France, in 1942, the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup took place, where over 4,000 French Jews were taken to the Velodrome (an outdoor sports arena) and detained for days in inhumane conditions. They were eventually deported to the camps. So shameful became this event that is was not taught in schools, and no photographs remained.  Out of sight, out of mind. Yet, an event of such magnitude is not forgotten, and its truth resurfaced as Julia researches the event for the magazine she works for.

Sarah’s Key is twofold, a parallel plot: Julia’s and Sarah’s. Julia Jarmond is an American journalist who has married a Frenchman and embraces her life in France. She is assigned to write an article about the Vel’ d’Hiv as the 60th anniversary draws near. Sarah Starzynski is the parallel story taking place in 1942. She is ten when the police come for her family and she thinks to protect her younger brother by locking him in the cupboard. Her story is about returning for him. As Julia researches the article she focuses on Sarah and becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her because Sarah did not die in the camp.

I stayed up all night reading this novel, something I am not in the habit of doing. Quite frankly, I abandoned Julia’s story and read Sarah’s instead, returning to Julia’s after completing Sarah’s. Her story is riveting. As much as I wanted her to have a happy ending, it did not end well, but her devotion to her brother is moving.  Her story stayed with me long after closing the book.

Recently, I discovered the film, and of course knowing the novel, I was a bit reluctant to watch it.  Fortunately, it was filmed with sensitivity and the actress playing Sarah is phenomenal. The weaving of the two stories, Julia’s and Sarah’s’ is handled much better in the film than it was in the novel. I actually suggest watching the film first, and then read the novel.

Sarah's Key

Sarah’s Key (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Both the novel and the film explore the aspect of truth. How important is it? Is it necessary to reveal the truth? What is the ultimate price for realizing the truth? For a country, there came the reminder of a shameful historical past.  For Julia, it was the realization that her devotion lay stronger for her child than her husband.  And for Sarah–for Sarah the truth became unbearable.  At one point, Julia’s husband, angry at her obsession with researching about Sarah and her family, wonders about the value of truth. “Is anyone happier for it?”

Truth hurts. There is a price for truth. Sarah’s Key is a different slant on the Holocaust, but for me, it is a reminder that truth is what we seek, although its answers often wound.

Emily D painted this portrait of Truth:

I did mention the novel also addresses redemption. Sometimes discovering the truth or revealing it serves as a catharsis, and a person is relieved to have Truth’s brightness purge the darkness that can come by trying to hide it.
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