In praise of sweet little movies that the critics didn't care for...

While idly flipping through the possible free movies on the television last night, I stumbled across a delightful little film titled The Lightkeepers. It was a sweet story, a little formulaic, but not too sappy. What was a really nice surprise was the cast: Blythe Danner, Mamie Gummer, Richard Dreyfuss, Bruce Dern! The film came out in 2009, and it didn't receive rave reviews, but I didn't care one bit. It was just what a cold Friday night after a long week required. It was set in 1912 on Cape Cod, and the costumes were lovely. The setting was refreshing; I am tired of cold, mud, and snow. 

Isn't that what movies are for? They don't have to be great art-- those movies are good, but they are more for cerebral moments, for long conversations with other, like-minded people. The Lightkeepers was like a fuzzy blanket, made for a chilly night and relaxation. 

Too often, we criticize popular comforts for being too pedestrian, too average, too...accessible. But why? I like some pop music, an occasional BK burger and fries, and sweet movies on the television. Not everything has to be serious, fraught, or that which requires deep thought. 

Today starts my February "vacation," and while I'm not planning on going anywhere special (though maybe a day trip here or there? Weather depending?), I am also not planning my week with a bunch of cleaning projects, must-do stuff, or anything much at all. I want to read, to snooze, to bake and putter about. The end of the week, on Sunday, I'm one of the featured readers in an online poetry anthology book launch. So there's that to look forward to. But not yet. Today, I have mundane chores and errands, but I also have no real agenda. And I'm totally fine with that. Maybe I'll find another middle-of-the-road movie to watch. 

Have a good day, stay warm, and take a stretch of time for yourself. If you don't take care of you, who will?

C