Feb 15 2008
Friday Night Movie: Life is Beautiful
Most of the movies I watch are independent films. Life is Beautiful is my all time favorite. For months, I insisted everyone call me Principessa (that’s princess in Italian).
This is a beautiful love story. I’m not much of a romantic so for me to give kiddos for a movie based on its love story is unusual. But more than being a man-women love story, this is a story of a father’s love for his son. To top it all off, the movie sends a strong social message.
Life is Beautiful reminds me how important it is for me to write a literary novel. One that is based on characters the readers can relate to beyond a superficial level. It’s not important that I just “get published.” Not at all. I want to be proud of the book. This is something I find is lacking in first time authors. Their focus is on seeing their name on the cover of a book. Of course, I’m speaking in generalities here. But this has been my observation.
I realize motivation doesn’t matter as long as the end result is what we want. However, I have a sneaky suspicion that those writers who just want to see their name on a book cover will find that isn’t enough. In the end, we want readers. People who will connect to the story we have to tell.
I loved this movie! It ’s the kind of movie that stays with you , long after you watch it.
” But more than being a man-women love story, this is a story of a father’s love for his son.”
I swear, I was thought the same thing after viewing the movie.
It breaks my heart just thinking about it. Thanks for making me sad on a Friday night.. I was kind of happy until I came on your blog…Just kidding. Great pick for the “Friday Night Movie.”
I loved this movie too. Loved what you said about being published. Check out my post about the 100 Chronic list—re: Amongst the Oaks—you will laugh at my post on her blog. I can reveal no more…just in case. (It has to do with you.)
Diane, I just read it and left a comment. Go check it out.
(btw, I don’t have MS)
I definitely want readers. I want a fan club. I want many fan clubs. I want people to write fan fiction about my characters and have dedicated sites that Anne Rice would think about crashing… except I won’t, because I like fans. (Unless they try to make money off my work without permission. Then the lawyers would be sent in.)
I want people to enjoy my work. In fact, I live for people enjoying my work. (That good ol’ Leo factor again.) If I publish a book and I don’t get enough readers to publish book #2, then I will have failed. And if I publish book #2, and my number of readers doesn’t grow, then I will have failed.
(Publishing industry agrees with me on those.)
It’s not enough for an agent or editor or publisher to like my work and publish it. Many people have to like it. Getting nominated for Hugos and whatnot… I don’t care for the notoriety; I care for the indication that it means that people like my work.
I want people to like me! I suppose that is technically shallow.
For a lot of reasons, “Life is Beautiful” is a special movie for me.
Thanks for including it as the Friday Night Movie pick.
IMHO, a writer will always be unsuccessful if they try to write what other people want. We’d all like as many readers as possible, but it is impossible to *make* people like or read your writing.
Given that, I think it’s better that you like/enjoy/are proud of your own work. That way you start with at least one fan and can build from there….
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog, Mark.
I encourage everyone to go read Mark’s post on What Would Jesus Do? The writing is excellent. Seriously. I can tell a funny story in person, in writing not so well. Mark does an excellent job. Here’s the link: http://www.getincensed.com/what-did-jesus-do/.
“Given that, I think it’s better that you like/enjoy/are proud of your own work.”
We had a debate about that here: http://auriacortes.com/random-thought-writing-is-a-business/
Fortunately, it’s still funny.
That is true, noname. It’s one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I found myself laughing and crying at the same time. Damn, this is a good movie. For those of you who haven’t seen it or want to see it, you can watch the movie on YouTube.