Spent an afternoon watching TV programs and a movie, Shrink, with Kevin Spacey. I'm a sucker for Spacey anyway. This film has one big insight, and something I really hadn't thought of, which it shows with a startling image. For just a moment, as a girl goes into a movie theater, I thought she was going into a church. Probably this resemblance has occurred to real movie buffs, between the pews in a church and the seats in a theater. This is a film that is all about film and about all the ways we deal with not feeling grief: drugs, alcohol, psychotherapy, lashing out, and the way these strategies spin it and spin it and there is no end to it until the very end. Not a cheerful message, to be sure, but it's the truth. Religious people may say they have something better, and maybe they do, but for those of us with no religion, we can't decide to believe when we just don't or can't believe.

Watching this had a very good effect on me. I felt the kindness. You can say it's soapy if you want.

Comments

[Brandon]

Have you considered writing an essay on why you're an atheist?

[Hattie]

Brandon: No, atheism is not interesting enough to write about, at least not to me. It would be like writing about the characteristics of nothing.

[joared]

I like Spacey, too. Haven't seen Shrink so will have to check it out.

[Joy]

I love, love, love Kevin Spacey....seen all of his stuff...and have all of his movies in one form or another; but I haven't seen this one yet. I'm going to make sure I do. Thanks... ~Joy

[Kay Dennison]

I'm putting this on my list!! Thanks!!!!

[Hattie]

Enjoy!