Leaving Normal/Final Blog
Leaving Normal (1992) -- did I like this movie? Yeah. Granted, this film is far from my favorite films, but it did a great job telling a story of how two strangers can develop into the closest of friends when thrown together by circumstances. The film embodies everything that we've talked about this semester in terms of the road being not only a medium for travel, but also a means of personal transformation. Both Marianne and Darly were running away from poor choices they made in the past, but never realized that in running, they would find the friendship and acceptance that they sought in other places in each other. I think it was a very fitting end-cap to the class, as we learn that the idea of 'normal' is nothing more than a bullcrap social construct that holds us back from accepting and embracing what makes each of us unique and special. Once one lets go of the idea of 'normal,' the destination is a lot easier to find...even if it is in the middle of the forest in Alaska. ;-)
Now, my favorite movie from the class was probably The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. There is something so satisfying about these flamboyant characters on the road as they make their way through the Outback. The acting is top-notch all around, but especially from Terrance Stamp, who used to be a sex-symbol in Italian neo-realist cinema back in the day, as he embodies wise and weathered transsexual Bernadette. The story concerning one drag-queen's journey towards accepting his role as a father was quite touching and showed that 'family' is so much more than those to whom we are related by blood. Extra Special Thanks (with cream on top) -- referencing the closing credits -- belongs to Stephan Elliot (the writer/director), who gave us all a reason to embrace our inner flamboyance and shake our groove thing!