Of movies and expectations

A few weeks back, I watched Sean Penn talk on television about his new movie- Into the Wild. Based on a true story of a young man, who decided to give up his worldly possessions to seek truth, it seemed something only Sean Penn could make. He is intense, broody and incredibly talented. I consider his performance in I am Sam one of the finest I have ever seen. God knows how he didnt win an Oscar for that one (and won it for Mystic River!! but then, how did Russell Crowe not win it for Beautiful Mind and get it for Gladiator- but thats for a different column!!).

So when I did get a weekend when I was relatively free, I decided to catch the movie. Given where my expectations were, the movie was a disappointment. It was sow, sometimes tragically so, and seemed to move in fits and starts. While it captures the essence of what the young man is wanting o do, it does not string together in a narrative that makes for compelling viewing. In a way, I think Penn was being too close to the written book on which the movie is based. I wish there was more punch, more cadence and just more tight-ness to the story than what came through. The fact that there were no more than a dozen people watching the movie with me showed that others felt the same way, but the fact that there were a dozen there meant that the subject that have some resonance. Especially in our modern day lives where we are always chasing something- money, dreams, comforts etc, a movie about just experiencing life the way it is, with nature and shorn of all encumbrances, is indeed a worthwhile endeavor. Wish it had more than idyllic settings and breathtaking scenes of the environment in all its glory.

Given the fact I wanted to lift myself up from the morose tenor of Into the Wild, I watched Ratatouille, which seemed a perfect antidote. I went in with little expectations and was thrilled. It was quick, pacy and also had a message, a simple but powerful one- Anyone can Cook, you just need courage, be willing to experiment and not be afraid of any mistakes. More deeply, it talks about our prejudices, our preconceived notions and challenges us to think differently. I loved it.

It was a good weekend of movie watching that also taught me that life is all about managing expectations. Aim high, keep expectations modest and you will be happy!