Day 26: Kiss Me

I saw this one when it was in the theater and won't forget it because I had a panic attack when it started. I had this sudden overwhelming fear that I would be punished someday for watching yet another movie in open rebellion to my upbringing. Not as many people in my generation have been indoctrinated by religious authorities who condemn drama and movie theater attendance as wicked and worldly, but most people I know could go back in their family tree a generation or two or three and find some religious ban on drama and theater. Although the earliest forms of dramatic theater in Western European Christian culture were tropes and mystery cycles that re-enacted the big biblical stories of Creation, Flood, Nativity, Passion and Easter, somewhere along the line some blind religious authorities decided that a room with a stage built for the most incarnational form of story-telling must be the antithesis of a sanctuary with a pulpit and a communion table.

Although I had generally been a girl who was eager to comply with religious expectations of good behavior, I started sneaking into those carnal places when I was a teenager. It took about about ten years before I was fully comfortable in my chair, before I embraced my current outlook that many a stage has become a sanctuary because of the story that is told and the truth that is recognized thanks to the art of the players. I am finally able to wholeheartedly enjoy being part of the audience, and have the highest respect for the people who participate with their various talents to work the magic of such amazing story-telling. Last summer when I saw the musical Spring Awakening live in Chicago, I wept during the "Song of Purple Summer" because the Spirit of Word Made Flesh is moving in mysterious ways in the theater.

I have in the past year or so been thrilled with imaginings that Jesus is going to make his second return as a King of the comic stage and no one will be more incredulous and shocked and disoriented about that fact than the religious folks with our careful and anxious and somber and solemn concepts of decorum and holiness. Can you picture it? Laughter holding both his sides--on his rightful throne! Now that would be apocalypse.

"Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful Jollity,
Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles,
Nods, and Becks, and Wreathed Smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport that wrincled Care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides.
Com, and trip it as ye go
On the light fantastick toe,
And in thy right hand lead with thee,
The Mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty;
And if I give thee honour due,
Mirth, admit me of they crue
To live with her, and live with thee,
In unreproved pleasures free . ." (from "L'Allegro" by John Milton)

But back to the movie where I had my panic attack. She's All That was written for teenagers in 1999 and I was well into my 20's by then, but I still enjoyed this one. When post-makeover Laney comes down her staircase in slow motion to meet her date, this is the jawdropping staircase entrance kind of reveal that I am talking about that makes for a great scene in any tale of transformation.

This plot is actually loosely based on the same play, Pygmalion, which inspired My Fair Lady. The boys have a bet on, and Laney is chosen by Zack's friend as the awkward object of challenge. Can Zack make good on his boast that someone as popular and talented and charismatic as himself could transform any old girl into prom queen material? Well like Henry Higgins, Zack treats Laney as an object of his ego for most of the story. And eventually sees this scorned girl rise to beauty and recognition. And comes to recognize and regret his mistreatment of her. There is a little of the Pretty Woman storyline when Zack's friend tries to make the moves on Laney and take advantage of her vulnerable position as a new-to-the-scene beauty. But it all works out, Zack repents of being a jerk and gets another chance to win the girl, and Laney gets full recognition and respect as a person, and the snobs of the community get their own taste of ridicule and rejection.

And the final kiss with background music swelling and melting all our romantic bones to mush, then to credits . . .I'll never get too old for this!