Melissa's Kitties

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp Film #11--Don Juan DeMarco (1994)

A note from me:

I know, it's late--technically. While I could go into detail about my frustrating struggles to format this post correctly for the last 4 hours, I'll just say that Blogger does not always cooperate. The spacing will apparently be eternally off, and there is nothing I can do about it. Wait, should I challenge Blogger to a duel now? I don't think I'd win. Oh well--Here's this month's Johnny Kitties....Enjoy!

[What is Johnny Kitties? See Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp for all the details.]

Johnny is Don Juan!

"Oh well, now I must die."

Ten days before retirement, psychiatrist Jack Mickler (Marlon Brando) meets his next patient who challenges him to a duel. Dressed in full regalia of fabled Spanish seducer Don Juan DeMarco (Johnny Depp), the broken-hearted 21-year-old threatens suicide over his lost love Dona Ana. Dr. Mickler thinks fast, poses as Don Octavio De Flores, and talks him out of it. They strike a deal: Don Juan had 10 days to tell his story (in a great Spanish accent that Johnny modeled after Ricardo Mantalban by watching "Fantasy Island" reruns--I love that!). Then, Dr. Mickler must decide whether Don Juan's telling the truth or if he should be committed to a mental institution.

Along with Dr. Mickler, the hospital staff is soon transfixed by Don Juan, his story, and his views on love and life. Who can blame them? As Dr. Mickler says, "It's a wonderful world that he's in."

Johnny meets Marlon Brando!

Instant pals...

Not only is the thought of Johnny portraying The World's Greatest Lover quite appealing, but this film also reunites Johnny with Faye Dunaway for the first time since Arizona Dream. The most exciting thing about this movie, though, is that Johnny costars with Marlon Brando! Recognizing the importance of this pairing, I was even more thrilled to learn that it was Johnny's idea to cast Marlon as the psychiatrist. (Imagine me nodding here, "Of course he did!") "Everybody looked at me like I was insane," Johnny says, "But he's the one I kept seeing in the role when I read the script." Although writer/director Jeremy Leven assumed there was no chance to cast Marlon Brando, he agreed to try anyway. "The next thing I know, I'm sitting in Marlon's living room, and we're making a movie," Leven remembers. "I think he really liked Johnny." (Imagine me nodding here, "Of course he did!")

The rest of the crew describes the experience as the passing of the torch from the greatest actor of one generation to the greatest actor of another. "I think Johnny is far and away the most talented of today's young actors," Jeremy Leven notes. "He is very much like Marlon on many fronts. They both have a 100% bull detector in that they know what is false and not working in a scene. They both have incredible instinct for knowing what writing is all about. And then, of course, they both have a lot of turmoil inside." Johnny takes a different view: "All the feelings are there--teacher and student, father and son. He's a hero."

Johnny and Marlon loved working together on this film. "The most important thing I learned from Marlon was to keep a straight face," Johnny says. "That became the objective in a lot of the scenes, to just be able to get through it without exploding. Marlon is hilarious." They enjoyed a similar sense of humor and remained close friends until Marlon's death 10 years later. Can you imagine? Once the film was released, Johnny had to respond to constant questions about his relationship with the screen legend. Early on, he mentioned that his sister heard a phone message from Marlon on his answering machine once. Her comment: "Your life is so surreal...."

Don Juan is contagious.
Don Juan DeMarco will make you happy. This film has a special spirit and sweetness with really funny moments that the whole family can enjoy. (Mine did.) Whether you believe Don Juan's story or not, you can't help but want become part of his world or--at least--appreciate love a little more than you did before.

(Be warned, like Benny and Joon, Don Juan De Marco includes another infectious song, Bryan Adams's "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman." It will get--Great, it's stuck in my head.)

The Kitties feel the love....
My favorite scene in this movie is the one in which Johnny isn't being Don Juan. But I lost the vote to draw that. When your subject is The World's Greatest Lover, you have to acknowledge all of his conquests--despite the daunting task of portraying 1,501 cats.

So, here, Don Juan is in session with Dr. Mickler (Norman). They are discussing his escape from the harem in which he was enslaved for 2 years.

While Don Juan describes bidding adios to his many lovers, I imagine this tale may have sparked other romantic notions in Dr. Mickler. He may not realize it yet, but inspiration is brewing. Soon, he'll learn of Don Juan's true love Dona Ana, and Dr. Mickler will book a flight with his wife (The Mother Kitty) and ex-patient to the Island of Eros, where Dona Ana has vowed to wait through all eternity for Don Juan's return.

Do you think she's still there? Do you see yourselves waltzing on the beach with The Micklers now too? Why not?

Next month, Johnny's late for an appointment.

Johnny loses the accent and plays an accountant. Set your watch for action/thriller Nick of Time.

Monday, August 08, 2011

Imperfect

Last week, Lily felt a bit under the weather, so we made her first trip to the vet's office.

I can't say she enjoyed the adventure. (It's too noisy and busy outside, she says, and there were too many people "handling" her in that office!) But a few days of antibiotics later, she seems back to normal. We'll see how her follow-up visit goes.....

( Uh, don't tell her another venture outdoors is coming up. I'm trying to keep her stress-free in the meantime.)

(Illustration Friday: August 8, 2011)

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Obsession

Every morning, Dad greets Simon and opens the garage side door for him so that he can venture into our yard. And, every morning, instead of heading straight out, Simon looks at the door, makes a u-turn to walk around the cars, and exits the garage from the left.

(Illustration Friday: July 29, 2011)

Some people say Simon suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, but really it's just one of his many charming quirks.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

The World According to Tina Fey

I know. You thought it'd be at least 6 months before I finished another book. But I really did finish one book yesterday and another one today. (This will likely never happen again.) During my hiatus from Stephen Colbert's I Am America (And So Can You!), I read 80% of Tina Fey's Bossypants That's what happens sometimes during my long weekends at home in Ohio.

© Little Stranger, Inc.

My friend bought Bossypants for me--Thank you, Heidi--at a book-signing event I was too slow to get into before it sold out in 3.7 seconds. Coincidentally, days before, I was blurting giggles while browsing through this book to pass time in the airport's Borders Express. (What am I going to do now? R.I.P., Borders.) Having been a loyal fan of Tina's since her days at Saturday Night Live, I didn't need convincing that this book would be good. Just as Stephen Colbert's voice yelled out of his book, Tina Fey's reads clear (and calmer) out of hers.

Bossypants chronicles Tina Fey's life in essay format with her humor sprinkled on each page. It offers an interesting peek into her professional life as a writer/performer, from learning improvisation at Chicago's Second City and becoming Saturday Night Live's first female head writer to creating 30 Rock, her brilliant show about producing a late-night comedy show.

Tina Fey and I even share a favorite 30 Rock moment--when Tracy, the fictional comedy show's slightly mental star played by Tracy Morgan, stands outside reprimanding a pigeon for eating out of the garbage: "Stop eating people's old french fries, little pigeon. Have some self-respect. Don't you know you can fly?"

She didn't write that. (30 Rock writing team member Kay Cannon did.) But Tina does write plenty words of wisdom in Bossypants:

After being dumped: "Of course I know now that no one can "steal" boyfriends against their will, not even Angelina Jolie itself."
After her honeymoon cruise was cut short by an engine room fire: "If you've never been on a chartered flight full of people who are afraid to fly who have also been traumatized in the past 12 hours, I recommend it more than a cruise."
On Photoshop: "If you're going to expend energy being mad about Photoshop, you'll have to be mad at earrings. No one's ears are that sparkly!....At least with Photoshop, you don't really need to alter your body....Isn't it better to have a computer do it to your picture than to have a doctor do it to your face?"

Who better can teach you these things?

Enjoy,

Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Book for the Nation's Heroes

So much for my New Year's resolution to conquer the book pile on my floor by reading at least 10 pages a night. Apparently, that only works for me with books about Paul Newman.

© Spartina Productions

Stephen Colbert's I am America (and So Can You!) took me a long time to finish. By page 50, my brain stopped processing the constant barrage of information. I had to take a break to recuperate before continuing. Reading this book is tiring. It shouts at you as only Stephen Colbert can, brimming with his opinions. That's a lot to process. I recommend reading this book first thing in the morning, when you're fresh and alert and your brain is ready to take it all in.

As expected, this book is as brilliant and crazy as The Colbert Report. Stephen offers his definitive thoughts on everything from sports ("Ice hockey is training for our eventual war with the glaciers.") to science ("Oceanographers, America's safety is in your hands. Get to work on the submersible deep-fat fryer."). Each chapter includes enlightening footnotes, "The Word" commentary, a spotlighted viewpoint from an average American, and a Fun Zone activity. It's like reading a carnival.

Eventually, my head ached from trying to keep up with Stephen's voice. It may be easier to absorb when he's telling you these things during his show, but this book provides the comprehensive education. Read it if you want Stephen to tell you what to think about everything. You might want to try the audio book, though I doubt it includes all the subliminal American flag visuals, games, and award stickers that the hard-cover edition offers.

Stephen, who is still in my head, just told me to tell you that real heroes buy both. (Hey, I think this book really works!)

Long live Colbert Nation,

Friday, July 29, 2011

Perennial

(Illustration Friday: July 22, 2011)

There's a Tigerlily in the Tiger lilies!

Don't worry--I told her not to eat these perennials.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Gesture

When Ashes first moved in, it took a while for Comet to warm up to the idea of having another housemate. But a few surprise gestures later, we realized he was cool with it.

(Illustration Friday: July 15, 2011)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Stay

Today, The Mother Kitty pulled a typical cat move.

(Illustration Friday: July 8, 2011)

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp Film #10 – Ed Wood (1994)

[What is Johnny Kitties? See Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp for all the details.]

"This is it! This is the one I'll be remembered for!"

Despite my involvement, this movie is a tender, comic gem. An amazing cast to work alongside in Martin Landau, Bill Murray, et al., but, of course, with Tim, there exists an almost brotherly sensibility, which made the whole experience a joy. Ultimately, I feel, with the artistic freedom we had, TB produced an American classic. A love letter to a filmmaker that didn't receive many.
– Johnny Depp

After his death in 1978, Ed Wood became best known as the world's worst film director and a cult following was born. Among his biggest fans were Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.

"This is Edward D. Wood, Jr."

The real Ed Wood

Ed Wood's most famous features are the autobiographical Glen or Glenda, which explores a transvestite's struggle for a normal life, and Plan 9 from Outer Space, a science fiction/horror movie that was funded by local Baptist churches and completed in 5 days. Unlike your typical director, who may take all day to shoot one scene and finish a film in months, Ed Wood might have shot 30 scenes in a single day. Usually without permits, he had to steal shots whenever and as quickly as possible. His films weren't your typical Hollywood blockbusters; they were Ed Wood opuses. As scriptwriter Larry Karaszewski explained, "There's a personality to Ed Wood films that you don't necessarily get in a lot of other people's films. A lot of bad films are simply bad movies or incompetently put together. With Ed, you get a real sense of the filmmaker behind the camera. You see an Ed Wood movie, and you know it's an Ed Wood movie because of the obsessions and the fetishes. The stuff he's throwing up on the screen is clearly his way of working something out inside of him."

In Ed Wood's eyes, every film he made would be the one to make it big. Scriptwriter Scott Alexander noted, "Where Ed's movies are distinctive is that there's such passion there. The passion is oftentimes misguided, but it's there." That's where Tim Burton's film takes flight.

Ed Wood focuses on the director's friendship with aging Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), who had fallen from stardom after portraying "Dracula" during the Silent Era and was now battling drug addiction and poverty. After a chance meeting, Ed (Johnny Depp) wanted to help Bela–one of his childhood heroes–by giving him parts in his films. The friendship lasted until Bela's death 5 years later.

"Let's Shoot This F#*%@r!"

When Tim Burton received this bio-pic's script, co-written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, he dropped his other projects and got to work, hardly changing anything on the page. He remembered, "It's probably the first time ever that I got a script and said, 'Yeah, let's shoot this.'"

Studying Ed Wood's original letters, Tim and Johnny got a sense of an unwavering upbeat optimism about his work. Because of that, Johnny's performance is hilariously enthusiastic and joyful. His other ingredients for the character of Ed Wood included the heart of The Wizard of Oz's Tin Man, the blind optimism of Ronald Reagan, and the distinctive voice of Casey Kasem. Working with Tim again on a project that became a labor of love for all involved was just what Johnny needed to break out of the, let's say, dark place he was stuck in while filming What's Eating Gilbert Grape? "Ed was the rocket ship that took me away from that horrible, black, bleak time," he said. "This guy needed to be the ultimate optimist, dreamer, idealist. It was like being in a completely different suit or skin. It felt very good." His friend, Director Jim Jarmusch can attest: "I was staying at his house for a while when he was shooting Ed Wood, and sometimes I would pick him up from the set and we'd get dinner. It would take him three hours to stop being 'Ed Wood'. I just wanted to slap him to get that stupid smile off his face. We'd be in this Thai restaurant and Johnny is going, 'Hey, this Pad Thai is fabulous!'"

Johnny's performance fits perfectly into Tim Burton's version of an Ed Wood film – beautifully stylized in black and white with all the perceived normalcy of the 1950s. "You're mixing different elements," Tim explained. "You want to get the flavor of an Ed Wood movie without being an Ed Wood exactly."

"This is perfect!"

Tim Burton's Ed Wood is one of his best. It's one of Johnny's best. It's one of the world's best! They made a movie that struck a bittersweet balance between Ed Wood's rosy vision and reality. It is at once hilarious, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and joyful.

This movie is about the love of filmmaking. In his review, Roger Ebert proclaimed that every film school in the country should show this film to their students to instill the devotion to and joy of the work. No matter what happens, everything is perfect in Ed's eyes. His love of producing and directing – getting the film in the can – was all that mattered.

The writers noted that there were several more scenes reflecting Ed's insecurities and self-doubt, but they didn't make it into the film. Larry Karaszewski explained, "Johnny and Tim grew to love Ed so much that it made them uncomfortable to give Ed those moments."

At the heart of this movie is friendship and acceptance. No one in Ed Wood's circle is "normal," yet by the end of the film, you are cheering for all of them. Aside from Bela Lugosi and himself, Ed Wood's cast often included Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson (George "The Animal" Steele), ghoulish TV hostess Vampira (Lisa Marie), self-proclaimed psychic Criswell (Jeffrey Jones), and drag queen Bunny Breckenridge (Bill Murray). The "bad guys" in this movie were those embarrassed by Ed's love for cross-dressing or confused by his films' lack of continuity or retakes. But this troupe of misfits stuck together like family. And that was no clearer than in the relationship between Ed Wood and Bela Lugosi.

Martin Landau as Bela, consulting with his director.

Brilliantly played by Martin Landau, becoming Bela Lugosi was a challenge: "What you've got here is a 74-year-old Hungarian morphine addict/alcoholic who has mood swings," Martin explained. "That would be hard enough, but it had to be Bela Lugosi, who everyone knows!" Paying homage to the actor, Martin considered this film a male love story, one between two guys who really needed and depended on each other. "You could tell that between Martin and Johnny there was a real respect and a kind of bonding that went on with them because they were both good at a certain level," Tim said. "It was exciting to see that."

"We have to go see Ed Wood!"

I had no idea who Ed Wood was at the time I saw this movie, and I don't remember how or where my family and I went to see the film. But I do remember two things: 1) There was no question that we were going to see it this time – no convincing, plotting, or pleading necessary, and 2) While watching the movie for the first time, I was worried about what my parents thought while Johnny strutted around in drag doing a strip tease among his friends in a meat packing plant. On the other hand, I was thrilled by Johnny's fearlessness to do whatever – and for Johnny, "whatever" usually guarantees the unexpected. It's a trait that remains in full force today, and one of the reasons I will always see his movies. Tim agrees, as he discussed being able to work with Johnny again on this project: "'Edward Scissorhands' was a character who didn't speak, and now we're dealing with a character that won't shut up. It's great to see an actor go from one thing to something completely different. There's a great energy to seeing something like that. He's just so willing to do anything that way. In fact, he usually wants to go farther than you want him to go. It's nice for other actors to see." The reviews everywhere for Tim Burton's little film were positive, even those from my own family.

Ed Wood was nominated for too many awards to list here. Among them were Johnny's third Golden Globe nomination and his win for Actor of the Year from the London Film Critics. Ed Wood earned two Oscars – one for Martin Landau's amazing performance and one for the makeup team who transformed him into Bela Lugosi.

Because of this movie, I sought out Ed Wood's own films, which I so much wanted to love as much as Tim, Johnny, and company did. But I just couldn't do it. They actually made me sad. I felt better once I found out that the writers are aware of this phenomenon: "What's interesting is that when you watch our movie, and then watch Ed Wood's films, our movie affects the Ed Wood films themselves," writer Larry Karaszewski said. "It's much harder to laugh at Ed Wood films, particularly Glen or Glenda. It feels like a piece of personal filmmaking, where you feel like this guy is putting his soul onto film." It's true: Watching the real Ed Wood movies, I was excited to see all the real people who were portrayed in Tim's Ed Wood, and I was still rooting for them to do well. I probably always will.

Check it out: Once you see Ed Wood – and you should all see it – it'll happen to you too. This labor of love is contagious.

The Kitties will do anything to get this one made!

The Kitties were all for the Ed Wood homage in black and white. We had to choose a filming scene because that's what Ed loved best. Here is one of his great moments: Ed (Gordon) dragged the crew (including Norman, Simon, and Comet) out at 3 a.m. to steal an octopus prop from a nearby studio. Now, he's plopping Bela (B.J.) in the middle of it all to stage a big fight. This will match up perfectly with the big underwater finish Ed has planned for his latest movie. Who cares that they forgot to get the octopus motor or that Bela isn't quite underwater? This is perfect! (And only 25 more scenes to go tonight.)

Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp Film #10--Ed Wood (5-7-11)

What's next?

Johnny trades in his angora sweater for a mask. Next month, we'll meet the world's greatest lover, Don Juan DeMarco.

All photos © Touchstone Pictures, except Ed Wood portrait, courtesy of Wikipedia.

Monday, July 04, 2011

Remedy

This week's Illustration Friday topic brought to mind several remedies--medicine for allergies, yoga for stress, naps when overtired. But, no matter what my nagging complaint, my most trusted remedy is Lily Cat.

(Illustration Friday: July 1, 2011)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Midsummer Night

I looked up Midsummer Night in the dictionary and on Wikipedia because all I knew about it was Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, which I've never read or seen.

I found that worldwide celebrations mark the summer solstice on Midsummer Day--sometime between June 21 and 24, depending on the culture. Traditionally, it was believed that witches and other supernatural beings took over the night before--Midsummer Eve--causing widespread mischief.

While all that was going on around the world, The Mother Kitty enjoyed a quiet moment during her evening walk.

Here is her Midsummer Night.

(Illustration Friday: June 24, 2011)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Launch

When Lily is ready to jump from any high surface, she always makes an official launch.

(Illustration Friday: June 17, 2011)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Swept

The Kitties and I are thrilled about the start of the new season of "So You Think You Can Dance." To celebrate, The Kitties pay tribute, here, to one of our favorite dances from last week's opening show. Choreographed by past contestant Travis Wall, the joy of this dance swept us all away.

(Illustration Friday: June 10, 2011)

Here is the dance performed by the final five contestants to be selected for the competition: Ryan [Lily], Mitchell [B.J.], Ashley [Ashes], Alexander [Gordon] and Caitlynn [Mini]:

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Johnny Kitties: Celebrating Johnny Depp Film #9--What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)

Happy Birthday, Johnny!!!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Moscow premiere

Are you singing, eating cake, watching a Johnny Movie?

Find a way to toast Johnny Depp today on his 48th birthday!

Can you believe it's been a year since I started Johnny Kitties? And I'm still in the '90s! The Kitties and I are having a fantastic time chugging along Johnny's filmography. Some drawings have been quick; some have taken weeks. (It's a good thing that this is only a once-a-month treat!) But what's the difference when it's a labor of love?

Speaking of love, what are the odds that my all-time favorite Johnny Movie would be posted on Johnny's birthday? I don't know what it means, but it's got to be more than a coincidence, don't you think?

Let's get to it!

Who is Gilbert Grape?

Because he had already read the wonderful book by Peter Hedges, Johnny Depp agreed to star in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? before the script was written. "If Johnny had not said, 'I'll do it,' without a script, I don't think the movie would have happened," Hedges says. That would have been tragic!

What's Eating Gilbert Grape? chronicles a year in the life of Gilbert (Johnny Depp) in Endora, Iowa. Nothing much happens in Endora. It's the type of town you pass through, but Gilbert is tied to it in a life consumed by family responsibilities. He lives with his two sisters, his mentally challenged brother, and his morbidly obese mother, who hasn't left the house in years. Gilbert spends most of his time taking care of his 18-year-old brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has the mind of a 5-year-old and who doctors warn "could go at anytime." Gilbert's routines consist of working at the local grocery store, carrying on an affair with Mrs. Betty Carver (Mary Steenburgen), and having mundane conversations with his two buddies Tucker and Bobby (John C. Reilly and Cripin Glover) at the town diner.

Every year, Arnie and Gilbert wave to the annual parade of trailers that drive through town on their way to more interesting places. When one breaks down, Becky (Juliette Lewis) and her grandmother see Endora in a different light while waiting for their trailer to be fixed. Meeting the stranded strangers changes Gilbert's life, helping him see things a little differently too.

The One that Captured my Heart

By now, my parents realized that my loyalty to Johnny Depp was not dwindling. I was really excited that Johnny signed on for this movie because I admired the director, Lasse Hallstrom, whose great award-winning Swedish film, My Life as a Dog, I had somehow recently seen. To my great surprise, Dad suggested that we take the 90-minute drive to an artsy theater in Cleveland, the only theater in the vicinity showing What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Part of the deal was to stop by my dad's friends' house in Broadview Heights beforehand. They were happily surprised to see us, and shortly after our arrival, dad explained what brought on this sudden visit. Here's how that went:

Dad: "Well, do you know Johnny Depp?

Friends: "Yes."

Dad: "Well, Melissa is deeply in love with him."

Me: "Daaaaaaaad!!!!!"

Dad: "What?"

I don't remember the rest of that conversation. Maybe I fainted.

For the longest time, I referred to What's Eating Gilbert Grape? as The Best Johnny Movie Ever. Some newer Johnny Movies may have assumed that title for a while, but this remains in my heart as The One. I can't really articulate why I love it so much: Granted, I gravitate toward quiet, character-driven films. And, at the time, I lived in a town similar to Endora and understood Gilbert's frustrations of being stuck in the monotony. But I think Lasse Hallstrom put it best: "This film was a wonderful coincidence of the right people getting together with the right story at the right moment. I was very lucky for that." (Yes, we all are!)

Endora and its citizens are completely believable and recognizable. With a stellar cast, the acting is so natural that you can't help but think it's all real. In Endora, the big news is the impending arrival of Burger Barn, a fast food franchise. "They are cutting edge," Gilbert's friend Tucker says. "They use Canola oil! I bet you don't even know what that is!" Bobby runs the local funeral parlor with his father. When Gilbert asks him how business is going, he responds, "Not good. No one is dying." No wonder Becky, with her fresh perspective, is just who Gilbert needs.

When this film was released, two of its stars got all the press. There's no doubt that Leonardo DiCaprio deserved all the praise, awards, and Oscar nomination he received for his genius performance as Arnie. And, after being spotted on Sally Jesse Rafael's talk show discussing obesity, Darlene Cates scored the role of Mama, winning the hearts of audiences--and everyone around her--because of her remarkable spirit and bravery. She turned out to be a true natural. But I have to commend Johnny for his performance. So far, he had been playing film characters labeled "oddballs," "outsiders," and--Ugh!--"quirky." Some might consider Gilbert another outsider, but to me he's an ordinary guy stuck in extraordinary circumstances. Everything is internal with Gilbert, and Johnny's talent for saying everything with his eyes is on brilliant display. Writer Peter Hedges agrees: "In some ways it's the harder performance, particularly since, in the novel, he gets all the thoughts," he says. "There's so much life going on in his performance. I don't think there are very many actors who could have come close to what he did."

Every time I watch this movie--and I've seen it many, many times--I feel the same amount of emotion as the first time, and I find something different to love about it with each viewing. Johnny feels differently: Once, he caught What's Eating Gilbert Grape? on TV and had to quickly change the station when he realized he began hyperventilating. He says of the filming experience, "I don't know if it was coincidental that I was going through this emotional turmoil or if it was something that, maybe--on some weird level--I had done to myself subconsciously because of what was required. But, anyway, I was kind of miserable at the time, and it's pretty plain to see."

Johnny modeled Gilbert after his childhood friend, Bones, which accounts for the red hair and crooked teeth. But I always felt that this character was very close to who Johnny really is. Maybe Johnny, helping to take care of his own mom while growing up in a small town with sights of a brighter future, understood Gilbert's frustrations a little too well. I could find a few parallels from his life but don't want to speculate about what only Johnny knows. What connected with me was that Gilbert was always trying to do the right thing, putting everyone else first and forgetting about himself. When Becky asks him what he wants, his response benefits only his relatives--until she interrupts,"What do you want for you, just for you?"
"I want to be a good person," he says, an improvised line that says it all.

The Kitties visit Endora.

Watching this film recently for Johnny Kitties, the latest ingredient I've come to love about What's Eating Gilbert Grape? is the amazing cinematography. Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist is a pioneer of the art who worked consistently with Igmar Bergman. "I loved the reverence that he inspired in people on the set," Peter Hedges remembers. "Everyone knew that they were in the presence of a master."

Deciding on and drawing a tribute worthy of What's Eating Gilbert Grape? was daunting: At first, I considered my favorite scene, Gilbert's first kiss with Becky. But Gordon and Ashes looked at each other and laughed. Next, I thought of the water tower scene, and Simon got very excited about the thought of climbing to the top. I ruled that out because of safety concerns. While the water tower scene is probably the most recognizable image from the movie, I prefer the quiet moments that make this film a gem. Since I couldn't just draw a picture of Gordon staring at something, I picked a scene at the lake.

True, this was a night scene, but it was filmed during the day and then darkened on film (by the master). Since the scene was so dark, I had to create some of my own background; then I just decided to make it lighter because what if you couldn't see it either? Chalk it up to artistic license.

Johnny Kitties--Celebrating Johnny Depp--What's Eating Gilbert Grape ([April 9, 2011]

Following a frightening fight with Arnie, Gilbert runs out of the house to escape what he'd done. He eventually ends up near Becky's trailer and finds her in the lake. She's coaxing Arnie, who hadn't bathed for days after having a scare with water, to join her for a swim. For a moment, Gilbert manages a flicker of a smile. Maybe he's seeing what the next chapter in his life could be like.

Did I mention I love this movie?

What can follow Gilbert Grape?
Something completely different, of course: Johnny gets in a good mood, channeling Edward D. Wood, Jr.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Shadows

(Illustration Friday: June 3, 2011)

Lily's obsession with light and shadows is sort of my fault--mine, and the street lamp's outside.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Asleep

I wish I were disciplined enough to sit at a desk when creating my artwork. Typically, I'm sitting on my chaise lounge in front of the TV, surrounded by packs of pens and markers and hunched over the sketchbook on my lap.

When I draw, I tend to lose track of time--and Lily. When I think of it, I whip my head up to scan the room for her. Here is where I find her most often: across from me--almost always upside down--in her spot on the couch, with her Wubba always nearby. (I think she, too, has lost track of time.)

(Illustration Friday: May 27, 2011)

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