Stories + Loss
Life|Love|Loss: Yesterday the snow drifted towards Earth once again. My day was similarly dotted by other floating spirits of sorts. The Portland Art Museum offered a moving and intimate (though full to the rafters) memorial for Terry Toedtemeier. It was great to stand in the midst of a community, in a crowd full of artists, curators, collectors, docents, teachers, scientists, everyday people, etc. Standing alongside Rob we became part of the fabric of the crowd, as a festive undercurrent warmed people sharing their personal stories. There were many familiar faces, notably several artists and the hardest working regional photographers. A few people in the crowd close to Terry mentioned he would have loved to see this sea of folks.
Later in the day we headed to see the much talked about David Fincher movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. As far as film is concerned it was OK, but in terms of storytelling, it was superb. The whole life in reversal was done with a sense of style. The story of how we lose love and gain it back in mysterious ways. Cate Blanchett is so very beautiful, and I was surprised to see both her and my other favorite British actress, Tilda Swinton, in the same film (never on screen together of course). With such a powerhouse cast I was delighted that the acting highlight here is actually by a rather unknown supporting actress, Taraji P. Henson, as Queenie, Button’s surrogate mom. The performance is passionately believable throughout. Based on a short story (though the film lasts three hours) by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1921), its fueled by special make up and computer/airbrushed effects that are at times a lil’ unnerving, but there are some gorgeous scenes in New Orleans that capture the grandeur of another time altogether.
And when we exited the theater there was a dusting of snow-cover over the downtown streets at every corner.
Tags: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, David Fincher, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Portland Art Museum, Taraji P. Henson, Terry Toedtemeier, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button