I have to say that I really liked the way this series ended. I initially thought everything was just a little too abrupt but as I think about it, perhaps not. On this episode, we see both Eric and Claire ten years later. It’s the High School reunion, and Eric is older (he looks older) but there are things about him that remain the same – you can see how the whole episode has lingered with him. Meanwhile, Claire has (kind of) moved on – she has remarried, found someone who can accept her and her past, and even children with him. A chance encounter at the supermarket triggers everything again for her – she texts wanting to meet. The restaurant meeting is awkward, but kind fo cathartic for both, as he tells her that it has taken years for him to accept the fact that he had no fault in any of this – that she initiated the affair, and he was young and wouldn’t have known better. This made me realize how something like this would make a difference in someone’s life, of someone so impressionable. What Claire did was really awful, and even though she has had a chance to move on, it will never be the same for her, too. (She can’t go to PTA meeting) But the effect for him is worse – it has scarred him forever…
I remember reading the Becky Albertalli book ‘Simon Vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda’ years ago when it was first popular. I even think it was the very first gay YA book I read, and introduced me to the explosion of great YA novels. When I started seeing the trailers for ‘Love Simon,” I did not connect until later that this movie is an adaptation of that book. I should have, because I loved the book. I don’t remember too much about the minor details of the book, but the film stands on its own, and I think will connect with the younger generation. This is a movie that Mike Pence will not want you to see, and I hope it drives everyone to go see it.
‘Being Charlie’ is Rob Reiner’s latest effort, from a script by his son Nick (who co wrote the script with Matt Elisofon) and a lot of critics are saying it is his best film in two decades. I like this film a lot, and I didn’t at first – how many times can you see a film about a rich white kid struggling with addiction and rehab? There are parts of this film that exhausted me, and there’s a part of me that cannot understand how otherwise privileged kids turn to addiction. But of course I also know that addiction is a sickness, and needs to be treated. What makes this film good is its humor – the young Reiner found the right balance between cynical comedy and honest drama. This film is supposed to be based on his bouts with rehabilitation, so he knows what he is talking about (He apparently met his co-scriptwriter in rehab) And Nick Robinson, who plays Charlie has magnificent screen presence (I couldn’t take my eyes off him) and knows how to line between sweet, devious, manipulative, downtrodden. He will be a big star. I guess I am going to be dating myself here, but it was a tad disconcerting to see Cary Elwes here playing his father, since I had such a big crush on him, and now he is as middle aged as I am. But that’s just me, don’t let that hinder your enjoyment of the movie. Elwes is fine here, as is the rapper Common, who plays Charlie’s counselor.
Luha Thoughts 