And this week’s (Nov 1-8, 2013) movie of the week is… To Kill A Mockingbird!

Let’s just state from the beginning why this movie is so great. In my opinion, it’s the story. There’s a reason why Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for the book. It is also no surprise that the movie won best screenplay. But why is it such a great story? After all, there is no love interest going on–despite the fact that the leading male role is a single dad–there is no action, and the bad guy doesn’t get a big kick in the teeth in the end. Yet it is so loved so dearly by so many. When Walt Disney watched it he lamented that this was the kind of movie he wished he could make. According to the comic books, it’s Clark Kent’s favourite movie. And then there’s Gregory Peck. When asked to play Atticus Finch, he read the entire book in one sitting, then enthusiastically agreed. So I ask again, Why is it so great? Admittedly, the story is so masterfully told in both media and I remember from my grade 10 English class (I miss you Mrs. Atkins. In fact, I kinda sorta had a crush on you.) that in terms of fine literature, this story has all the great elements, devices, and characteristics. I wasn’t good at the subject, so unfortunately I can’t remember them. And let’s not forget characters and character development. Boo Radley is one of the most unique I have ever watched or read.

That’s a lot, but there is also one big, unmistakable factor in its greatness, and that is that is matters to us. This is a story of fighting for equality defending your fellow human being in the face of hatred and prejudice. We can watch Apollo 13 and be inspired by human ingenuity and the will to live. We can watch Rocky and cheer for the underdog, as we so love to do. But with this story there is something much stronger happening. Embracing our fellow human beings is at the center. Something we all want and long for deep inside. In 1962, there weren’t very many courtroom dramas dealing with racism and inequality. Was there ever a decade quite like the 60’s when it comes to racial tensions in the United States and Canada? This movie was considered controversial. Jimmy Stewart was offered the role of Atticus Finch but he declined saying the script was “too liberal.” Sound familiar? Evangelical Christians, I’m looking in your direction. No, just kidding. And though the subject really was highly contentious and people really did think that some races were not equal with the Caucasian race, believed that the persecution of “these people” was something they had coming to them, and would often get angry at “liberal” thinkers and their “hidden agenda,” to ruin freedom, there is no connection with the subject of gay rights today. There can’t be, right? Noooo.

Anyway… The Graduate! How great was that movie?

Congratulations To Kill a Mockingbird. This is your week.

And the Oscar goes to:

Best actress: Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate. Besides her great acting, that must be the single most iconic leg in history, with the exception of the lamp in A Christmas Story. Sorry, Scout. Maybe next time.

Best actor: There are SO many who could and should receive the nod this week. I want to give it to Dustin Hoffman because he’s like the bionic man of acting. I also want to give it to Gregory Peck because both his character and his portrayal are so inspiring, but I’m going to be selfish and pick one of my favourites: Robert Duvall as Boo Radley. And I must say, as good as Lawrence of Arabia is (though painfully long), Peter O’Toole was super creepy and weird in it. The whole time all I could think of was, “Peter O’Toole. What a tool.”

Best quote: I would choose Gregory Peck’s closing speech, but it’s too long. This one is golden though:

“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

Harper Lee’s home town of Monroeville, AL is where the courthouse scenes were shot. That town still has that building but they don’t use it for law anymore. It’s a museum of sorts and apparently the town (consisting of a mere 7,000 population) hosts a reenactment of the story of To Kill A Mockingbird every year. I’d love to go some year. They sell the tickets within hours of their going on sale. EVERY year. So I won’t make this a bucket list item. But it’s definitely on my wouldn’t-that-be-cool-to-do list.