I am a crier.
I cry at many movies (even Clerks II), television shows (anything on Animal Planet) and while listening to music (Jungleland live did it).
But, I didn’t really think that I’d cry no less than six times while at a G-rated movie with my kids. A G-rated American Girl doll movie. How lame am I?
The movie, Kit Kittredge, was much funnier, smart and enjoyable than I expected. It was also heart-breakingly sad in its depiction of the Great Depression and what it did to ‘ordinary families’. Fathers left their wives and kids for work and then disappeared, leaving children confused and sad. Homes were emptied of their contents in front of the weeping occupants by debt collectors. Wealthier children made fun of their poorer classmates for selling eggs or wearing grain sack dresses. Fathers snuck into soup kitchens for a warm meal but told their family that business was doing fine.
I may have been PMS-ing to be so emotional, or perhaps it was because I had recently heard that neighbors had left their home abruptly in the dark of night rather than wait for foreclosure proceedings to begin. Or, maybe it was the thought that heating prices this winter could get so high, we could be facing “New England’s own Katrina disaster“.
My kids did not shed a tear (although they did love the movie). To them, it was a tale of some long-ago time, back when women wore dresses and typewriters used ribbons of ink.
Come January, however, the concept of Americans really struggling to make ends meet not seem like a historical tale. I just hope that it never hits too close to home.
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Scary times right now, huh?
I truly feel thankful every day for what we have.
(Jungleland made me cry too. Sigh)
I tear up just thinking of things that move me. Sweet things, happy things, sad things. I’m a cryer too and unfortunately so is 7.
As you know, I cried too. Three times! Those sappy movies always get me. Ever see the Molly movie?? I really love the American Girl movies I’ve seen. They are very real, emotionally anyway. No wonder my husband doesn’t like them…
Your perspective on real life, especially the connections with today’s recession/depression, make it harder on you. It hurts to see people suffer.
I feel as if we are just waiting for the bottom to drop out!
We watched Rent last night I cried like a baby through the entire movie..
Oh great. I’ve been planning to take my girls to see it, but I’m pregnant and already crying at random commercials. This should be FUN. 🙂
Well, I guess I’ll take ’em and I’ll take a purse full of tissues as well. 🙂
It does look like a good movie. I’m surprised Tacy hasn’t asked to see it yet.
And you’re right – the gas price woes of the summer may be nothing compared to what’s in store this winter.
Amazing how spoiled we are when you think about it, huh. I can’t imagine things getting that bad, then again, I’ll be pre-depression they couldn’t imagine it, either.
And join the club on the crybaby thing. What gets me is whenever a large group of people do something in unison- like singing or dancing. Olympics- grab the kleenex
I watched the Molly (American Girl Doll) movie with my girls and I swear, I went through a whole box of tissues. Just the thought of bringing a family who lost someone in a war, a casserole gives me chills. You’ve been warned. If you see it, have some Kleenex close by. I will watch for Jungleland.
Hugs!!
I’m a big crybaby, too, so I expected to cry at this one, but my husband cried, too, or at least he said he did, and he NEVER cries.