The King's Speech

Colin Firth, interviewed by David Mermelstein of the Wall Street Journal, about the role he played in The King's Speech:

"My profession can so often be completely frivolous, which is one of its virtues. But whenever I play someone who suffers, I feel that there's a danger that I'm an impostor. So it's a relief that people who stammer haven't felt misrepresented. The reason why people tell stories and read stories and see films is to feel less alone. And if there's a story that takes everyone through something like this, it's a way to say to others, 'Now you live through it and see how it feels.' And if my profession gets that wrong, we've lost that opportunity. So it's a great relief not to have dropped the ball.''

J loves all things Colin Firth, and I have promised to take her to see the movie, and the above quote makes me want to see it even more. Even if it figures to be drama at the highest level.

Jai Ho!

Ella pugazhum iraivanukkae. God is great.

These simple words summed up the Academy Award acceptance speech by the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman, after picking up the award for Best Original Score for his racy, elegant and beautiful score for Slumdog Millionaire.

And this after paying tribute to his mother (to quote...I have nothing else, but I have my mother with me...end quote).

And I sat there thinking, if this guy were to win for one of his two songs nominated for Best Original Song, he is not going to be able to top that speech I'd just heard.

Boy, was I wrong!

This overanalyzed and yet often misunderstood genius doing his work from the oddly named Pachathan Record Inn in Chennai, turned up trumps again.

He summarized and succintly said what needs to be the mantra for everyone every day of their life..."the essence...is about optimism and the power of hope in our lives." And the exquisitely worded nod to love...as a choice as opposed to hate..."all my life, I had a choice of hate and love, and I chose love, and I am here. God bless!"

And finally...

You work for money...or money works for you?

Overheard on one of the episodes of The Cosby Show that runs regularly as part of the Nick @ Nite family shows.

To paraphrase Claire Huxtable..."your father and I are not rich. We work very hard for our money. You are rich only if your money works for you."

Now, that is an interesting statement. Makes complete sense I would say. And that got me thinking...using this as a qualifier, how many of the really rich people can actually be counted as rich...oh well...I am off...to work hard for my money...

. 2 ?

Point. 2. Ponder.

This funny observation by the early 20th century New York Times columnist Don Marquis...

"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; but if you really make them think, they'll hate you."

Now, why am I unable to stop laughing at its relevance to our beloved President Bush. Or for that matter for any damn politician alive today.

The Philadelphia Story

Superb star cast - Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart & Cary Grant.

Fantastic story about human prejudices and frailties and ultimately about that ultimate human tendency - the ability to forgive and accept.

But these two are never enough to make a good movie. What you need is fantastic writing - the script for this movie is sizzling. The dialog is sensational. And that superb cast mentioned above - well, it seems the lived and breathed the roles when the movie was made. Such sincere and earnest are their portrayals.

The superb dialog - "I am standing here solidly on my own two hands and going crazy!". "What's this room? I've forgotten my compass. I'd say south-by-southwest parlor-by-living room"
"You'll never be a first class human being or a first class woman until you've learned to have some regard for human frailty."

Ah! Such exquisite timing in comedy and such flowery prose in drama.

What else to say except, go, watch it. On cable on Turner Classic Movies. Or from Netflix or Blockbuster. Or if you are lucky, your local library.

On Education

Came across a rather interesting portrayal of education by the famed English economist John Maynard Keynes on the web earlier today...and sat down to think as to how truly it resonates atleast in my personal experience with the education systems in India and the USA.

"Education is the inculcation of the incomprehensible into the indifferent by the incompetent."

Brevity befitting an Englishman. Easily confounding just as easily comprehensible. Must be why the best education people generally receive is in the school of life.