How Do You Know? It’s a Mystery.

Recently, we got a subscription to Netflix (I know we’re behind the times—don’t judge) and I was scrolling through and found Shakespeare in Love in our que. And OH MY GOSH, that has always been one of my favorites, and I was in a romantic mood (meaning I needed inspiration for edits and stuff), so that was kind of a no-brainer. I was all, love + kissing + Shakespeare = happy and yeah.

I watched it, remembering things I had forgotten, or picking up small comments or nuances I haven’t noticed in the past. And I was struck by an undercurrent, an ongoing theme that hit home for my current circumstances. At one point, the owner of the playhouse tells the loan-shark, Mr. Fennyman, that it’s okay that the playhouses have been shut down because of the plague, because strangely enough, it all works out in the end. Mr. Fennyman doesn’t believe him at first, asking, “How do you know?” and the playhouse owner (whose name slips my mind for now) shrugs and says, “It’s a mystery.”

This same line is used between Christopher Marlowe and Will Shakespeare, and then again between Will and Viola (his love interest) at the end of the movie. And then, mysteriously, it does work out in the end. Not necessarily with ideal circumstances, and as the queen predicts, the story ends with tears and a journey, but also with a playwright who will FOREVER have a muse. (Sorry if you consider those spoilers!)

That line pretty much applies to my life on any given day lately. And yet…strangely enough, things tend to mysteriously work out in the end. Call it faith. Or human nature. Or divine intervention. You could even call it fate if you’re so inclined. But the thing is, when life throws us challenges, IT REALLY DOES WORK OUT. And usually, for the better.

So there you have it. My weekly dose of wisdom handed down from a movie.

Has fiction ever given you wisdom? Do share!

Oh the Tragedy!

Sadly, I don’t go to movies all that often. Not that I don’t love them—I do. But I’m a busy mom, who has lots of schedules to keep up with, and it’s difficult to get out and see the newest films that interest me while they’re still in theaters. (Oh, the beauty of DVD’s.)

When I do go to movies, I hope they’re done well enough to take me out of my own life for the moment and hopefully make me laugh and/or leave me with a warm sensation in my chest left from the experience of numerous emotions. Suspense is good, and action, too.

But I have certain expectations. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s walking out of a theater completely disappointed in the outcome of a show. It happens from time to time.

Consider the movie The Perfect Storm. (Spoiler alert!) Everyone dies! And I’m sorry, but that show felt like a huge waste of time for me. Because how could it possibly be based on a true story when no one survived to tell about it?

Maybe I just hate tragedies. No, because I love the story of Romeo and Juliet—sad as it is. Seems like there was a lesson in that though. And also, Shakespeare wrote that like, a gazillion years ago, and he was pretty well brilliant, so he’s kind of excused. A little.

So, here’s a question. What movie’s have you seen that had a tragic ending you felt was excusable, and which ones just left you feeling angry? I’m curious.

A Curse on Shakespeare

I recently watched Romeo and Juliet on TV. I’d forgotten how much I love the story, even though it has a tragic outcome. It’s still romantic.

The language, the way the love between the characters develops, despite the odds. How Romeo and Juliet fight to be together, then choose to die rather than be apart. Morbid, yes, but still, strikes a chord in me.

And you know what? While Juliet is weak, Romeo’s a hothead. Just sayin. The best part though, is that even knowing what happens, every time—EVERY TIME—I twist my fingers together and whisper to Juliet, “Wake up! Wake up, hurry, before he drinks the poison.”

She never does.

Dang Shakespeare and his tragedy. Never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Also, I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of MATCHED by Ally Condie. Everyone does NOT die in that book. It’s not even violent, at all. But it’s definitely romantic. (No, I will not tell you how it ends. You’ll have to read it for yourself.) It comes out November 30th, and I recommend it. *Book LOVE*

I’m a sucker for a good love story. So tell me, what’s your favorite?