Today I did what many families do-
I went to see a movie.
Lacey, Amy and I went to see Brad Pitt's
new film The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button. I suggest you go see it.
I think I started crying about 5 minutes
in and stopped by the time we got back
to the car.
I have traditionally held in my tears.
Sometimes for prideful reasons, sometimes
for fear that I couldn't handle feeling so
deeply.
Today I just let it all out. It turns out I am
quite the cry baby. And I loved it.
It feels good to feel. It feels good to know
that it is only going to hurt for a minute.
It feels good to be sucked in to something
and let yourself get lost in the moment and
go where ever the actor/writer/scene takes
you.
In response to that I write this-
Dear Mr. Pitt.
I realize that you do this thing we call acting
for a living. That you consider it your job.
I realize that you wake up every day and
look in the mirror at those beautiful blue eyes
and only see your own face looking back at you.
I realize that people look to you for distraction
and escape- and some seem fascinated by
your daily goings on.
I just thought that you should know that there
are some of us who love movies for more
that what they bring to us. To us who consider
theater art, we also see your contribution on a
grander scale.
There are films that take you to places you
might never see otherwise. Ones that take
us out of our everyday and give us rest from
our own worries. Ones that excite and thrill
us. Ones that make us laugh until we cry.
And then there are ones like your latest work
that cause us to think. Not about earth issues
or world problems, but about our own existence.
Indeed this movie is a love story, and a wonderful
version of one, but it is also a chance to see
someone doing what he was created to do.
And by your doing this it inspires us to consider
our own purpose of creation.
Not only did the move cause me to think about
love and choices and life, your performance in
it made me feel more in love with the thing
that I do. It made me want to reach the level
of interaction with my craft that compels
people to let go and dive in and experience
what I do. What I love.
The story is heart breaking and joy filled. It
takes you and gently brings you back down.
Your part in it as an actor makes it bearable.
You cause us to trust you by your innate sense
of your art, and after we do you are allowed
to make us feel.
It was sheer joy watching you do this in such
a well written role.
Mr Pitt I do not care to whom you are married.
Nor do I care what your political, economical,
or world views are. Those are your personal
items.
I am just glad that at some point in your life
you realized you had a gift and you chose to
share it with me.
Thanks Brad.
Julia