I only ever slept with your grandmother.
This postcard is from the Granpa in Little Miss Sunshine to Dwayne.
In the film he tells Dwayne to sleep with as many women as possible, but in (this) reality (that I made up) he has only slept with his grandma.
He misses and loved her so much that he tells Dwayne to be promiscuous so he won't go through the same pain.
I've seen Leaving Normal more times than I can count; it's one of my mom's favorite movies.
I've always liked it since I can empathize with constantly running away (Darly) and making ridiculous spur of the moment decisions. I've always enjoyed how the characters in the film are archetypical. Especially the sister. I think that the film is idealistic, but I also think that's ok sometimes.
My favorite road film that we watched in class was Priscilla.
This is my favorite because it is the sassiest, brightest and boldest.
I also love queers.
And dresses.
And ABBA.
Yeah, I like ABBA. I'm comfortable with that.
I also like the happily ever after ending.
Leaving Normal was a cheesy film to say the least but there was a quirkiness about it that I couldn't necessarily place, but kind of enjoyed. It definitely echoes a lot of Lifetime, made-for-tv movies and was pretty unrealistic but the themes are relevant. It provided a little different perspecive (female) of the rural than something like Straight Story that was interesting to think about.
My favorite road film of the semester was definitely Vagabond. Technically it was the most appealing film for me and kept me engaged the entire time. The way it changed the female "to-be-looked-at ness" with tracking shots was one of my favorite aspects. The various disruptions in cinematic technique and what they evoke in the viewer made it a really beautiful (and sad) film to watch.
As I watched Leaving Normal, I too thought it was a bit cheesy at certain points, but enjoyed it overall. The struggles that these female characters go through are very essential to many real women’s experiences: relationships, self-esteem, motherhood, Both characters seemed to push aside the typical responses to these issues and resolve them in an original way. Because they decided to live together and build a home of their own shows that they rejected normal understandings of family, structure and place. They finally learned to choose positive paths for themselves, which in turn, resulted in their success and happiness. Often times we see women in road films reach a demise because they are unable to function in a patriarchal and oppressive world. These women, however, were able to take part of that world and resist many of the oppressive things in their lives in order to reach full potential. I think it was a great way to end the semester.
Overall, I enjoyed almost all of the films. I would have to say that Sans Toit ni loi, Set it Off and Thelma and Louise were my favorites. Thelma and Louise for obvious reasons that most of my classmates have already pointed out. Sans Toit ni Loi showed a different side of film-making and narrated the story about a nameless girl in a way that was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Set It Off really struck me because I thought at first I wouldn’t be able to identify with women who had such different backgrounds as myself. Right away, I felt like I knew each of them and I cared about them. I wanted them to succeed, to be free, to escape. This wasn’t the case for most of the characters, and it made me mad. I felt frustrated for each of them, like I was stuck in their place as well. I think it is important to empathize with all kinds of individuals and have consciousness when watching films. This class showed me a better way to do that as a spectator.
My thoughts on "Leaving Normal" were in the middle... I enjoyed the film but I could have done without all of the cheesey parts of the film. Pretty unrealistic, but really are any hollywood films realistic? I am at without anymore thoughts of the film, I guess that sums up how I felt about it!
My favorite film would have to be "Thelma and Louise" because there is so much history for the film. It was the first film were women really played outside of gender boxes and still made money off of it. I loved the story line and the characters. I also enjoyed it because it was one of the few films that my mother knew of--so it was a place of conversation for my mother and me. I was able to have a feminist thought dialouge with her, which I really enjoyed and she did as well. I also found myself doing the same thing with friends of mine.
I thought this film was really interesting in the way it depicted real life and the friendship between two women. I thought the characters were seemingly very different, but eventually it seemed as though they had more similarities than I would have imagined. They both seem to struggle with finding themselves and living the lives they are "supposed" to have. There were however representations of strong women, and I liked how there was a good balance between the two women of optimism and skepticism. It was nice to see the characters bond throughout the film and be able to lean on each other, in spite of the negative things in their lives.
As for my favorite film of the semester, I think it would have to be Little Miss Sunshine. There is something to quirky and inspiring about that film, that I like it more and more every time I see it. Olive is such a genuine character who is full of optimism and hope, despite her surrounding family, who each possess a different struggle. I thought it was really interesting to watch it in the context of a "road film" and think about what the road meant to the family, and how there time on the road helped change them.
The film Leaving Normal was a nice and touching film to end the semester with and it really seemed to sum up the themes of the class. The title in of itself - Leaving Normal - embodied many of the characteristics of the characters we have watched over the semester who were marginalized and "looking for something". However, with this film I didn't find it all that realistic that two people who met on a bus bench would end up building a house together with two Alaskan boys. Unlike Boys on the Side there wasn't really anything realistic other than being a good person that would bring these two characters together and end up living together. But overall it was a sweet film.
My favorite film of the semester though would definitely have to be Little Miss Sunshine. I really think that movie was hilarious and even though I had seen it before I think it epitomizes the road film themes that we had discussed throughout class with the family dynamics. I really liked this film because of all the different quirky characters and how all the disasters in the film had some humor to them.
I liked "Leaving Normal". It thought it had a good message: that your family is whoever you make your family, and that you don't need a man/husband to be fulfilled. The women in it were realistic in that you hated them half the time and loved them the other half. I love the last scene where they are praying to "whoever" in their newly built home with their "children" Heartwarming...:)
My favorite road film this year (besides Little Miss Sunshine because I had already seen that many times and love it) was "Adventures of Pricilla: Queen of the Desert." I thought it was really funny, and had an important message about transgender people that is often absent from today's discourse. Good characters, good plot...all around good movie.
To start off, I thought the movie Leaving Normal was a nice movie to end the semester with. It was not my favorite movie of the semester, but Ienjoyed many of the elements. I thought Marianne was an extremely passive person in the film which bothered me at times. I really loved Darly's character. She was outspoken and exciting to watch. I wished at times that Marianne would grow stronger. I thought it was great that she left the husband that beat her and hit the road, but I thought it seemed like she was just following Darly the whole time. I love the end of the movie when she says no to the truck driver and stays in Alaska. It was definitely a surprise. I think that the reason I like this movie is because of the bond that Marianne and Darly form together. I didn't think Darly would return to their trailer/house at the end of the movie, but I'm so glad she did!
My favorite road film of the semester would have to be Boys on the Side. Once again, the reason why I enjoyed this film so much is because of the female bond that is formed. When the three ladies hit the road at first, I thought they couldn't be more different. I definitely didn't think they would end up being the best of friends and living together. They truly were there for each other through pregnancies, court, and battling AIDS. It is a story of inspiration. I think every woman longs for that partnership and friendship in their life.
I really enjoyed the film Leaving Normal, because once again it gave us a view of how strong friendship really is. As was the case in Boys on the Side, the women in this movie meet randomly, but as the movie progresses they become eachothers family. It was very clear to see the bond that women share, and how friends can sometimes fill the void that not having a loving family will leave in you. My favorite film that we have watched throughout the semester would be a toss up between, Precilla Queen of the Desert because it was so humorous, or Little Miss Sunshine because of the family bond that they shared.
Leaving Normal was a slow moving and dull movie. Marianne's childlike demeanor drove me crazy, and Darly was the epitome of a cold hard bitch. While she did take Marianne under her wing (in a sort of way), she still used her and couldn't find the heart to be happy for anyone around her, because she was so emerged in her own repugnance. At times the film so so corny it was hard to take seriously, and so the theme was set when Marianne sang out her window while their van flew into the night sky. I don't feel like Leaving Normal tackled any new issues, but instead skated on the coat tails of Thelma and Louise, promising the adventures of two women on the road. Would I watch this film again? No, but it was good for a laugh nonetheless.
Of all the movies we watched this semester I would have to say that The Straight Story was my favorite. The reason I loved this film so much was because I felt that it really captured life in the rural midwest. Being from a small town I could relate to the different characters, and as embarrassing as some of them were, I thought that they were dead on. Alvin was such a likeable character that throughout the whole movie I was rooting for him. It was startlingly real at times, sad, funny, and heart wrenching at others. I will leave this course with a new found respect for the road, and the journeys that it can take us on.
Leaving Normal was a slow moving and dull movie. Marianne's childlike demeanor drove me crazy, and Darly was the epitome of a cold hard bitch. While she did take Marianne under her wing (in a sort of way), she still used her and couldn't find the heart to be happy for anyone around her, because she was so emerged in her own repugnance. At times the film so so corny it was hard to take seriously, and so the theme was set when Marianne sang out her window while their van flew into the night sky. I don't feel like Leaving Normal tackled any new issues, but instead skated on the coat tails of Thelma and Louise, promising the adventures of two women on the road. Would I watch this film again? No, but it was good for a laugh nonetheless.
Of all the movies we watched this semester I would have to say that The Straight Story was my favorite. The reason I loved this film so much was because I felt that it really captured life in the rural midwest. Being from a small town I could relate to the different characters, and as embarrassing as some of them were, I thought that they were dead on. Alvin was such a likeable character that throughout the whole movie I was rooting for him. It was startlingly real at times, sad, funny, and heart wrenching at others. I will leave this course with a new found respect for the road, and the journeys that it can take us on.
As one of the lighter films of the semester, I felt that Leaving Normal was a less progressive film than many others we have seen in class. The characters did not push the boundaries as Thelma and Louise did nor did it really question any of the binaries we have been studying in class. Although still a good and enjoyable film, it did not catch my attention as other films have in the past. For me, this was a tame and contained Thelma & Louise .
My favorite film this semester was by far Thelma and Louise; The film came out historically when women were finally discussing sexual harassment and rape and the courts were started to recognize them as illegal actions. I can only imagine the effect the film would have had on women at the time it came out. Even today, the film addresses issues that are still prominent today and speak to many women,even myself. I love the way Louise allows Thelma to go through a sort of self realization process and how it opens her up. My favorite scene by far is when they obliterate the truck driver's rig and drive away stealing his hat. The fearless way in which they stand in the convertible with the pistols in their pants makes me want to do it myself. To me, the film is inspiring and reminds women that they don't have to put up with all that crap. It also reminds me of how far we haven't come as women since the release of the movie and how the themes addressed in the film are still pertinent today.
Overall, I disliked the film Leaving Normal. I thought that the plot was not risky enough; it had normal characters (no pun intended), like the chauvinistic male and the quirky female they encounter on the road to Alaska. Moreover, I did not like the film because of the dynamic between Marianne and Darly. Although they are very different characters their chemistry did not work like the unique chemistry shared between the women in Boys on the Side. I also thought the acting was pretty terrible because it came off as amateur work (i.e. the scene where Marianne refuses to go with the truck driver).
However, a film I did enjoy was Thelma and Louise. Not only was it ground breaking in its representations of females on screen, the acting was outstanding. Both leading characters played the part perfectly and their relationship on screen seemed real and genuine. This movie broke boundaries and was unapologetic in doing so. Also, I thought the ending was brilliant. I never expected that this movie would end with the women choosing their own destiny, instead of being subjected to authoritative punishment, as many road movies end (i.e. the way the police gun down the characters in Set it Off). Most importantly this film was my favorite of the semester because it was truly empowering and not because of the use of violence against men. It was empowering because it portrayed women taking their lives into their own hands, saying I have had enough of patriarchy and I am going to rebel against it. I will never forget the scene with the truck driver. It was hilarious because I am sure many women, like me, have been in a position where you are caught in the male gaze and it makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. Thelma and Louise, though, take that power away from the male and teach him a lesson. I will forever think of this as a rebel film that had powerful lead female characters, who took action when enough was enough.
The film Leaving Normal was very different for me. When the movie first started I thought it was a joke, with the fake scenery and the cheesy acting done by Maryanne, it was hard to keep my attention. As the film went on I was still confused for the most part, but eventually opened up to the differences the film portrayed. I thought that Maryanne acted very childish throughout the film and was extremely annoying. I also thought the script was out of order in some parts. The film was hard to follow a lot of the times, but towards the end of the film I started liking it. I liked how everything finally came together at the end and everyone ended up happy.
My favorite film in this class was Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. I thought this movie was hilarious and heart-warming. The characters in this film were perfect for the parts they played and the film kept my attention the entire time. I never got bored or wondered when it was going to be over. I thought the film portrayed many different binaries from sex to gender. I thought the end of the film was also perfect because the little boy finally met his dad and ended up getting to travel with him. I also loved their drag shows and the music in the film. This movie was by far the most enjoyable film of the semester.
In the end, I did enjoy the movie we watched this week. There were times that I found it annoying or completely unrealistic. However, I am glad that in the end the ladies ended up together. The ending surprised me. I was sure she was going to leave Alaska with the truck driver, I am glad she didn't.
They made it look too easy for all these women to become best friends, but once you could get past that, and the annoying red-headed lady, the movie sent out a great message; don't give up. These ladies were dealt bad card after bad card, some of which they dealt to themselves, but they made it. Even if the faltered a little, in the end they came together, built their house and made a new life for themselves. It was a little cheesy, but on the surface, I think, it was a good movie.
So over the whole semester - what is my favorite movie?
I would have to say Thelma and Louise. In class was my first time ever seeing the film and I thought it was awesome. I am sorry I never saw it before, but now I want to add it to my own collection. It is an empowering movie, where two bad ass chicks take to the road and don't take any shit. Maybe some scenes were a little extreme, but that is what film is for. I think after watching that movie, ever woman wanted to hold a gun. Maybe not even shoot it, but just feel the cold metal against her hand, just to feel the power it holds.
Thelma and Louise is a movie every woman should see.
I did not enjoy the film Leaving Normal at all. I think this was due to the choice of the actresses in the film. I found Marianne to be extremely annoying and much too passive to view for two hours. Though I know she is attempting to find herself through the road after leaving an abusive husband, but I did not find the characters intriguing at all. I think I would have enjoyed the film more if the character, Marianne was played by a different actress. Looking back, I find the story to be an interesting one. I could not find any character to identify with as Marianne was so naïve and a complete child. I found the characters to be very stereotypical and hard for anyone to identify with. I did enjoy how there are two complete, opposite strangers and they grow into a family. I did enjoy the end of the film with the completion of their home in Alaska, but found myself to be extremely annoyed throughout the film with Marianne. She acted like a dim-witted schoolgirl who was incapable of doing anything. I find that personality to be extremely annoying and difficult to watch. She did not even seem to develop as the film progressed. She had her occasional outbursts at Darly, but never changed. I also found the movie to be extremely corny. I do not think it was up to par with any of the other films we watched this semester. It lost my interest very early in the film with the bad and corny writing. It was not realistic at all in comparison to the other road films and was very cheesy and aggravating to watch a character like Marianne continue to speak when I just wanted her to speak up for herself and progress as an individual.
My favorite film this semester was Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Not only was this film hilarious, but it was completely unexpected. I came late to that class that day so I did not hear any summary of the film before it started. It was a great film in my opinion. It kept my interest with the dynamic characters and the witty writing. It was unlike any movie I have ever seen. It stood out with the feathers and singing from the other films we watched because it was based on a homosexual’s view of the road as a means of escape and an individual journey. It brought in a whole new situation that would have never entered my mind. Drag queens on the road in the outback? I loved the film. The singing scenes and the mocking between characters left me laughing in my seat. Not only was the film funny, but it also addressed some serious issues like discrimination as the men in the outback fought with anger as they discovered the woman was actually a man. It also brought in the double life that many men feel that they have to have with a career as a drag queen. It addressed such issues while still keepin the film entertaining and witty.
I very much enjoyed the film this week. It has a certain element to it that I think the majority of people are able to relate to. Often times in life we are searching so hard for something that we never allow ourselves to actually sit back and enjoy it when we may have found it. failure after failure is easy to relate to most people. We remember our failures and they stick with us. OFten times it's much more difficult to remember the successes. Plus, the scenery in alaska has been something always appealing to me. I would love to move someplace like that someday. My favorite film of the semester was actually Easy Rider, the first film we watched. The absolute freedom of that film was unparalleled in any other film for some reason. I know legistically there were other films where freedom was implied, but Easy Rider had already achieved that at the beginning. I can't really describe it, I just loved it and now own it and have made many people watch it. Also, the discussions I have embarked on because of it have been incredible. That may play a big portion of why I liked it so much.
Overall I liked Leaving Normal. I thought it was creative and showed a women's struggle. there were some things in the movie that I didn't like as much as others but overall I thought the film was good. I liked the fact that these women were complete strangers in the beginning of the film. It felt more dramatic, more intense and a less typical female friendship. I didn't like the fact that these women were seeking families. It was weird to me that this filmed made it seem as if women were only searching for homes, families and love. I think there is a lot more to life than this and so this part of the film kind of bugged me. At the end, I enjoyed the pseudofamily at the end of the film because it reminded me more of my own. It reminded me of the formations that people make and call "family". Overall, I liked the film and the independence that the women found through finding each other.
My favorite film of the whole semester was probably Set It Off. I can't really explain exactly why but the women taking control with violence in the hood appeals to me. I thought this film was pretty intelligent because it viewed this film in a womens' view. This film showed women with their children, working and trying to get out of the hard life. I also liked it because it formed serious friendships and also some relationships in the meantime. The end of the film was extremely emotional. I liked how the poilceman filnally realized what he had done wrong and the reason for the girls' actions. Overall, I really liked this film. There are other films I also liked throughout the semester like Boys on the Side, The Grace Lee Project, Priscilla, etc. I didn't really like Easy Rider, Vagabond, Girl on a Motorcycle and The Straight Story because they were extremely slow moving, and the story line was boring.
I had mixed feelings about Leaving Normal because there were characteristics that I liked and disliked. First, I liked the ending of the movie since it was happy and they finally stopped running and settled down together. This idea of a happy ending hasn't been achieved without someone dying in every other movie so I was relieved throughout the movie. Some other things that I liked were the relationship that the two strangers had, and the fact that the main character ran away from her husband after he hit her. I am fed up with women staying with their man whether he is abusive, verbally and emotionally abusive, or even a cheating on her. On the contrary, there were also things that I disliked for example, the acting wasn't very good in my opinion or too dramatic. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact that every single thing went wrong for them and serious of bad events went on until the very ending of the film.
As for my favorite film, I would have to say Boys on the Side because I liked all of the actresses and the characters they played. It was my first time seeing the movie and I realized that I liked it even more than Set It Off. I thought the relationship was so strong between the women that seemed like they had known each other forever. It was very precious and I almost came to tears, a couple of times. Those are the type of movies I enjoy with plenty of drama and an overall happy ending. Also, when I say drama I mean relational drama in chick flicks, not when a bunch of things go wrong and there appears to be no hope for anything positive.
"Leaving Normal" was not the most compelling film we've watched this semester, in my mind. I think the story of Marianne and Darly's journey is an important one to tell, but we've seen it before. Curt beats her and the women escape via the road. I think in light of all the films we've watched having to do intensely with identity politics, this film falls short of sharing the same important message of what identity is and how the road scuplts it. It didn't dive into homosexuality like "Boys On The Side" or into a sense of what it meant to ascribe to a certain culture like in "Pow Wow Highway." Rather it told the same story of women who did not have strength finding strength on the road, and since "Thelma and Louise" did the best job of portraying this, what's the point of making a substandard version of the same message. I think if we had watched this film before we delved so deeply into identity politics on the road, I would have enjoyed it more.
My favorite movie of the semester that I hadn't seen before was "Set It Off." I thought that not only did it have a compelling outline of how badly some people need upward mobility, it was also badass. I really just enjoyed watching it: when each woman goes through some turmoil which changes them and makes them fed up with the system, when Cleo drives through the wall of the bank, heck, even that weird sex scene where Blair Underwood drags a chain over Jada Pinkett Smith's bum. I thought it was great entertainment, but also showed us how unfair the system can be, and how some people, no matter how hard they try, cannot outrun it. Then again, as with Stoney, some people can. My favorite film that I had already seen was "Little Miss Sunshine." I remember the day we watched that, the title came up on the screen and I got the warm fuzzies. It is such an incredible movie. Never before has the family dynamic been portratyed in such a quirky, tragic, beautiful way. I love how they complete each other, how they can't start that damn bus without each member there. I'm forever in love with that movie and the way it shows that no matter how horrible things can be within a family, they are still the people who you can always count on, who will keep you moving, and who will make you strong.
This film was not my favorite. One problem I had with it was the fact that there really was no character development. Yes, Marianne and Darly change in the film, but it is very abrupt and almost out of character for them. For example, the moment when Marianne all of a sudden is screaming and swearing at her husband on the phone--I thought it was kind of funny because it was SO incredibly different from how her character had been up until that point. Her character just bothered me in general because she acted so childish. There is nothing wrong with being sensitive and more quiet--a lot of people have a hard time making decisions, but Marianne acted like something was wrong with her most of the film. I think Darly had some funny lines, but overall the dialogue was pretty cheesy- especially when Harry had his few moments in the narrative.
Out of all of the films we have watched it is hard to pick a favorite because I really liked most of them. I think The Straight Story would be at the top of my list. I really like the actor that played Alvin, Richard Farnsworth. I've seen a bunch of David Lynch films, and I liked how different this one is compared to the others. Compared to the other films we watched I liked the simplicity of this movie. It is just such a sweet and endearing story. Others I loved were Thelma and Louise and Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert- wonderful films!
I did not love Leaving Normal, but I did not hate it either. The only thing that really annoyed me about the movie was the 2 main characters. I guess that is weird to say, seeing as they are central to the movie, but oddly enough, I still kind of liked the movie. With Marianne and Darly's characters, I just felt like I'd seen it before many times over. I know this movie came out a while ago, but I still couldn't help feeling the unoriginality of it, even for the time. Marianne's character was so helpless it was hard to watch. I did however enjoy some of the one liners in it.
Overall though, I would have to say my favorite film of the semester was Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Maybe it is because I know someone that is going through a similar struggle, but I really liked the movie. Plus, I liked watching their drag shows throughout the film.
Despite Leaving Normal being guilty of a stereotypical beginning (including the ever so poignant bus montage), the film managed to redeem itself through more realistic portrayals near the close of the film.
I must agree with several of the other blog posts concerning Marianne. Marianne's mannerisms seemed directly transfered from her five year old self. Her cadence of speech hints that she never quite knows how she is going to end a sentence, and when she smiles bashfully at the end, I always felt like she was proud of herself for simply completing a thought. After watching the film, it seems that perhaps this was a device to demonstrate Marianne's vulnerability. This makes sense because as the film progresses, Marianne loses much of this mannerism, and reverts back to it only when in tough situations.
Darly also embodies a stereotype, albeit a gruffer one. Darly's nonchalant exterior can grow tiresome, particularly when she insists on deprecating herself, almost to the point of boastfulness. The scene with the bonfire where teh two compare "battle scars", and swap stories of their indiscretions seems trite. However, this conversation does develop the plot, because it gives Darly's return to Alaska more emotional depth.
Overall though, the I enjoyed the film, particularly the ending. I thought the directors could have easily turned the story into a heterosexual "fairy tale" of sorts by pairing Marianne with the Romantic Harry. Similarly, we could have seen the return of Darly's daughter, wrapping up the entire story in a nice bow. Also, I enjoyed that the two Alaskan boys they "adopted" remained in the picture. The women did not abandon them as soon as their own lives became more stable. I believe the film ended with a nice balance of unresolved issues and "feel-good" friendships.
My favorite road film for the class would have to be Set it Off. Although I cannot pinpoint my exact place of fondness for this film, I think it lies in the mixture of being genuinely funny with a moderately realistic (and simultaneously heart wrenching) ending. I would have been disappointed to see all four women escape, something that would never ever happen in the real world. The film also did a terrific job of illustrating how frustrating and debilitating poverty can be. The film is not over-bearing on either side. Although the audience will laugh, this is not a comedy. There is also extreme violence, but not gratuitous. Set it Off is a film I will definitely watch again outside of class. Girl on a Motorcycle? Probably Not.
At the beginning of "Leaving Normal" I was not very fond of the movie. It just seemed strange and I didn't care for Marianne at all. As the movie progressed, I began to like it more. Overall, I it was not my favorite road film.
My favorite film would either be "Thelma and Louise" or "Little Miss Sunshine". I really liked "Thelma and Louise" because of the truly feminist power portrayed through their outlaw journey. I also have always been a fan of "Little Miss Sunshine" because of it's quirkiness, humor and overall good road film. There were a few other films that were interesting and enjoyable from the semester. Such as "Boys on the Side", and "Set It Off".
Dear Dad,
I have finally come to terms with you and the abuse you put me through as a child, but now it is your turn to admit to your wrong doings. We both know you have been lying to yourself and your children for years as you have tried to deny any and all of the sexual, physical, and mental abuse you put me through. How can you ever expect to find salvation and peace of mind until you admit to your wrong doings? How can you live every day of your life in denial of the things you did to me? All these years, we have both pushed these memories and thoughts to the back of our minds, but now I have done my part and it is time for you to do the same. What you did was wrong, but it is the past, and all i can ask of you now is that you stop denying all of those years of your life. I don't know what you convince yourself of, but it is time for you to admit to me and yourself that you were very much in the wrong in the things you did to me as a child.
While naturally i harbor bad feelings for all of those years, my journey across the country helped to put my mind at ease. I know deep down inside of you, you must feel pain and remorse for the things you've done, but the first step to helping those feelings is to admit that those events really did happen. For your sake, Dad, please stop denying your past. Now is the time for you to do what you should've down years ago, and admit that you were not a good father or person to your family. You will never find your peace through denial. Admittance is your first step towards salvation.
Your daughter,
Angela.
I didn't really enjoy Leaving Normal. It was very hard for me to find a character that I could identify with or even liked. Marianne was weak, childish and naive. The men were all perverts, abusers or saps. I found Darleen to be obnoxious. Most upsetting were the portrayals of the Alaskan native boys. Apparently the director thought the most realistic way to play Indigenous people was to jump around like apes... I found this to be very offensive and unbelievable.
My favorite road movie from the semester was Powow Highway. I am taking an American Indian studies class this semester and the information presented in AMIN class lectures and this film provided a great connection for me. I don't like Powow Highway because of it's exceptional acting or script, I don't think that the movie was exceedingly great in either aspect. I like this movie because it was refreshing to see Indigenous people instigating the action in a plot line instead of marginalized on the periphery like in Priscilla or Leaving Normal. Also, it provided an an example of what Indigenous people are like today, a culture that is still very much alive. In Priscilla and Leaving Normal, the Indigenous characters are caractures of realistic people. Powow Highway provides viewers with a story about American Indian people that is still very relavant today.
Like much of the rest of the class, I have to say that I didn't find Leaving Normal wasn't particularly good or interesting. The two characters of Marianne and Darleen didn't seem particularly developed or interesting to me; infact, i downright disliked the childish mannerisms of Marianne, so much so that it made it tough for me to get into the film.
My two favorite films of this semester were definitely Easy Rider and Thelma and Louise. I felt that both of these films did a perfect job of exemplifying the road/buddy film in two very different, but successful manners. Both films did a great job of building the main characters and our connections to them as the films progressed, keeping the viewer very interested and involved as they wondered what would happen next. While the characters in Easy Rider weren't as easy to sympathize with as Thelma and Louise due to their illicit activity and their mannerisms towards women, they were still thoroughly developed and likeable dispite their faults. Thelma and Louise on the other hand were very easy to sympathize with, as they were both victims of sexual abuse in a time when women were unable to speak out against it. For me, these two films represent the growth and change of the road film genre over time, and set very high expectations for all other road/buddy films to come.
Mr. Danny Riordan,
I wanted to thank you again for letting me stay with you and your wife on my journey to Wisconsin. Slowly but surely I finally made it. While on the road I had plenty of time to think about mistakes I have made in the past, especially concerning my family, namely my daughter, Rose, and my brother, Lyle. Through my reflections, I came to the realization that keeping your pride isn’t worth losing your family and sometimes along with seeking forgiveness from others, you have to forgive yourself.
My daughter, Rose, has every reason to be angry with me. I was not the father she deserved to have growing up. After the war and losing so many friends, I felt that the only way to cope with reality was through alcoholism. Through the years, I have learned that life is much more enjoyable when you’re not numb to it. I’ve spent a lot of time feeling guilty about what I did to my family and to Rose. I think today though, Rose is happy to have a father and I am certainly happy to fill that role. I realized that in order to be the best father I can be I need to be there now and try to forget the past. I’m not going to be around forever, but I can be there for her now and try to make up for lost time instead of losing it by dwelling on what happened so long ago.
While on the road, I also had a lot of time to think about what exactly I wanted to say to my brother, Lyle, when I saw him for the first time after all these years. We talked for a long time. I guess we must both be getting old because neither one of us could very well remember what we were so upset about. It’s nice to have my brother back and a relief to have those ill feelings and bitterness that I’ve been carrying around for so long off of my shoulders. We were so close growing up and it was hard to hear the things that he went through because of me, because he cared so much about me.
I took me almost fifty years to realize how important it is to have a family. It took me a long time to understand why I was so lucky and not my friends, and to forget the things that I saw during the war. It has taken longer to forgive myself for what this has done to my family. But now, at 73 years old, I feel like I can finally begin to live in the present.
Sincerely,
Alvin Straight
“Love doesn’t exist, people just settle,” (Darleen, Leaving Normal). I thought this film was alright but definitely not one of my favorites. Both women, Darleen and Marianne, seemed so unaware and detached from reality. This is especially true of Marianne’s character who acts as though she is still a child and incapable of making positive decisions in her life. I was impressed however, when Marianne leaves her abusive new husband Curt. The film makes you think that this was the first time he hit her but we don’t know that and it can be assumed that he was verbally abusive.
Leaving Normal did very little to include different groups of people and only had characters that were your stereotypical white heterosexuals. There was however, two native boys from Alaska but the perception I got was that they were like animals especially the one who didn’t speak English in the scene where he runs after the mail truck. The father of these two boys was not around because he was in jail which is another big stereotype. Although Darleen finally agreed with Marianne about letting the boys stay on the land who is to say who really owns the land. The piece of paper that says Darleen has the rights was issued by the government who STOLE the land from Natives anyway.
I appreciated the end of this film because it seemed pretty realistic. Overtime, the two women and the two native boys finally built the home that Darleen had assumed was already there. Thankfully, Marianne did not ride off into the night with Harrison the love sap and we never knew if Darleen heard back from her daughter which would be very unlikely as the front desk woman assured her several times.
My favorite road film of all hands down is Thelma and Louise. At the beginning the two characters were practically polar opposites with Louise being witty and tough as a rock and Thelma completely oblivious and delicate. The one thing they did have in common though was the fact that they were both women trying to survive in a white male supremacy. They had to deal with some very difficult interactions, harassment, and abuse based solely on the fact that they were women and they quickly leaned how to look out for and depend on one another.
One moment that I found particularly special was when Louise suggested that the reason they got in trouble with that pervert who tried to rape Thelma was Thelma’s fault. This scene is when they are in the diner after they had shot Harlan. After Louise makes this comment she realizes what she has said yet the damage has already been done to Thelma who shoots back.
Through out the film all the women on the road seem so connected and it is such a powerful thing. For one, the waitress at the bar who knows Harlan speaks of his death as something that should have happened long ago and how she rooted that it had been his own wife because after all, he totally had it coming. The end when Thelma and Louise decided to go over the cliff is very inspirational because the two women prove that they are not afraid and they are not about to give themselves up especially when it means that they might spend the rest of their lives locked up in some jail cell under another ruler but just in another form.
If I saw this movie ten years ago, or when it came out, I might have enjoyed it then, but I have to agree with the people who've blogged before me that Leaving Normal wasn't that great; especially compared to Thelma and Louise. Yes, it had some underlying important themes about finding a home and that having a non-normative family is a great alternative, but it was predictable and the acting felt too contrived. I feel that this film was trying too hard and I definitely think that it would have bombed (if in fact it didn't) if it had been released any closer to Thelma and Louise.
MY favorite film was a tie between Set It Off and Thelma and Louise. I had never seen Set It Off and it actually made me cry. Seeing those women deal with all the hardships life had dealt them and just how difficult it was to be a black underpriveleged woman really got to me. Their friendship was also so important, I became very introspective after watching it. On the other hand though, Thelma and Louise is such a classic that just watching it was like reminiscing. I felt much more connected to the characters this time I saw it too, I love a road trip.
I miss my friends, but freedom feels good.
After everything that went down, I can't believe I made it out alive.
I miss my friends so much, but I can't believe I am finally free and can start living the life I want to live.
I will think of my friends everyday and remember all of the sacrifices they have made for me.
I will remember my brother and think of what he could have been.
I will never forget the man who changed my life and gave me the courage to change my life.
My life will never be the same from here on out, and that is just the way I want it.
Wish me luck with my new life, everyday is a new adventure.
From here on out I'm going to do it right.
Peace,
Stony
Dear home,
I have been hesitating to write to you mainly because my earlier communications with you lead to Thelma and me getting caught. I am not sure why it is that I feel an intense need to keep in contact with you. My assumption is that I have been taught, as women in this world, to know what is supposed to be important to me. My family comes first, then my husband, then my home and possibly somewhere down the line myself. I left you, I wanted to get away from you but as soon as things became hard and I became lonely, I called. First I talked with Darryl and I made him quickly pass me on to the cops. I believe Hal is his name. Hal was trying to be a nice guy but I knew he really didn’t want to help, I think... One would assume that after my first call home that it would end there because I knew it would only lead to Thelma and me getting caught. I guess what I realized on the road was that no matter how much I wanted to escape my domesticity I couldn’t. I guess I am not as strong of a woman as I thought I was. These feminine ideals still have control over me—but I tried to fight them, oh how I tried. You should have seen me! I killed a man, blew up a truck, drove a get away car but still that simple concept of home and where I “belong” still had a strong hold on me. I will tell you this, you ultimately didn’t win. I drove of that cliff, hand in hand with Thelma. I didn’t look back, I didn’t call you one last time, and you actually didn’t cross my mind. In the end my constant calling you lead to us driving off the cliff but you didn’t win—I won. I didn’t return back to you. I did escape you.
Sincerely,
Louise
TT., Frankie, Cleo,
I can not tell you all enough how much I have missed you. When I look back on our last adventures together, I realize how stupid we were. How could we think that money would be the only way to be happy. I have all the money in the world right now, but I am miserable. I have lost the three best friends I have ever had. Loosing you all has been extremely hard on me.
I feel guilty for surviving. I know that the policeman saw me leave on the bus, or at least I thought. I feel guilty that I got away and am living a life with so many nice things. However, I am not happy. I am lonely without you, without Keith, and without the old me. I know that I can never go back to see Keith. IT will never work out unless I want to sacrifice myself. So, I have decided to hide away in paradise. However, the paradise feels too good to be mine, and I feel out of place. I miss you all so very much.
I will not give up girls. I eventually hope to meet friends again and feel happy the way we were. The rest of my life, I will live for all of us because this is the life we dreamed of. Even though we are not all here together, I will never forget the way it could have been and the way it should have been.
I miss you; i love you, forever.
Love, Stony
Silence isn't always golden.
Olive,
There was a time in my life when I thought I knew exactly what I wanted; that I was the type of kid who had everything figured out. I wanted to shut out anyone I had an attachment to, live simply, study hard, and literally get my license to fly away. I was sick of being disrespected by Richard, worried for mom, and somehow seeing shards of myself whenever I looked at Frank from across our cramped room. My muteness was more a cry for help, my rebellion a false sense of freedom.
Still, amidst all the fights and frustration, the constant dysfunction, you stuck by me no matter what. I could always tell you were the one person in our family who really got me, but I never gave you the satisfaction of knowing that. I realize that a postcard isn't the most efficient way to dispense big-brother advice, but here's everything I wish I would have said to you all that time I kept quiet:
1. Always keep your dreams in check, no matter how outsized they might feel.
2. Some may say your wide-eyed awe at the world is a mark of your naivety--I admire it. In fact, I wish more people saw things as sweetly and simply as you did.
3. Believe me, pessimism is a lot harder to maintain than optimism--stick with what you know.
4. Stand up for what you believe in, even if it's just getting the dessert you deserve. (Oh, and parents being able to hold things above you and always win arguments? It'll pass. Soon, Mom and Richard will see that you actually know what you're talking about.)
5. Even if they can be a pain in the ass, your family will always be there for you. For better or worse.
6. People will be cruel. Keep YOUR chin up; sock 'em on theirs if you have to.
7. You can do anything in the world you want to.
8. If you ever need anything, you can always come talk to me. I promise I won't be silent anymore.
9. I love you and want to thank you for everything you've taught me, even if you were unaware an impact was being made. It was.
Your big brother,
Dwayne
Billy,
Our journey was a lot of fun, but I can't help but feel guilty for leading you down a path that I thought would change our lives, but instead ended them. I don't feel like we escaped the oppressive society that we meant to, which is why I felt that we blew it. Man, getting girls and tripping on acid is a good time, but what did we really learn? Our whole trip was about finding something better, some kind of freedom, but we ended up just using some girls and heading back to our same old rotten homes. I know you felt the trip was a success, and in that way, you should be resting in peace right now. I'll be seeing you soon.
Wyatt
I liked the plot of the film, but the acting was horrible. Marianne was an annoying main character. If she talked a bit more adult like, I probably would have liked the film more.
My favorite film we watched this semesters was "Thelma and Louise". I had never seen it before this class but often heard of it. I liked it because Louise is a tough woman who questioned male authority. Another aspect I liked about "Thelma and Louise" was that the characters went with the flow. Plans were always messed with but it allowed the story to develop on its own. I only didn't like the ending. I wish they would have escaped and live happily ever after, but I guess bad girls have to die, too.
Dear Emily,
I finally stopped traveling and built a home. Please excuse me from the way I left the last time I saw you. Your plans just weren't working for me. Darly and I are living in Alaska and are working full-time. I should be getting a promotion soon at the hardware store to assistant manager. Along our journey through Canada we meet many different people. I must tell you that I've learned that many of my past choices have resulted in failure but now thats all behind me. Darly and I are no longer running around and its nice to have a home where someone cares about me. Before I thought it was alright to just get up and leave when things got difficult. But here in Alaska things are different. This place feels right to me, I've never had this since of security about my ideas before. You, Rich and the kids are all well. Please write me soon, I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Marianne
I don't even know your name-
I ran out on you. Two days old, and I left. I couldn't handle the idea of being a mother, being tied down, being stuck in Alaska the rest of my life playing housewife. It just wasn't me. I was so messed up then. I didn't know what I wanted or what I was doing. Every decision I ever made turned into a disaster. Including the decision to leave you behind. I'm sorry. I wish I could make it right. I know this is a letter you may never get. I know you may never want to know anything about me. I just want you to know that I never forgot. Not a single day did I forget about you. I tried. I have been hiding behind a tough attitude for years. Don't tell anyone, but it's just to mask the pain over leaving you. Maybe I wouldn't have been the best mother. Scratch that, I know I wouldn't have been, but I hope you are happy and have found people to take care of you and love you the way I couldn't. If somehow you do get this, I'd love to see you. Or just hear your voice. Let me know you are okay. I'm back in Alaska now, go figure. Back to the place I so desperately wanted to leave behind. I've finally started making the right kind of decisions, ones that will benefit me and the people I care about. My friend and I built a house up here with some beautiful scenery, I hope one day you'll stop by.
I really do love you and think of you every day. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
-Darly Peters