Years ago The Blue-eyed Girls Club (consisting of my daughter Suzy and I) went to movies. Mr. Wonderful and the rest of the clan were not with us when we decided to sneak off.
This movie came out in 1995 so Suzy would have been 16.
I knew what the movie was about because I had read the book and I carefully explained to my impressionable teen that the movie was about a married woman who had an affair while her family was away.
I explained that I personally thought it was wrong, but I wanted to see the movie to see Clint Eastwood as a romantic lead instead of "the Dirty Harry" character he usually played.
So....for two hours we sat in silence and watched the drama unfold.
What followed was one of the best talks that she and I probably ever had. We began to discuss the movie and the question came up..."When did the heroine cross the line?' "When did the innocent flirtation become an invitation to sex?" We were free to openly discuss their actions and behaviors because they were not us. There was no guilt, shame, or reproach but just honest observations.
We were able to see when the interest and flirtation subtly changed and what steps could have been taken to stop it. We also discussed what might have happened to the heroine's family had she run off with the National Geographic Photographer.
As a parent we make all kinds of mistakes.....this particular event I count as a high point of motherhood, what could have been just a few hours of escapism turned out to be a serious lesson on how easy it is to be swept away by our emotions and make bad choices.
Has a movie ever led to a serious discussion with your kids?
6 comments:
Good afternoon, I have been laughing; over a few people have thought that I was posting myself today ..If I could have that nurse's skinny body and nice legs, I would claim her for myself!!! I don't remember this movie...If I can rent it, I might. I love a good love story,but not cheating on your spouse..Have a fun day. hugs, Baba
I remember this movie well because in a way I wanted her to go with Clint Eastwood and it was one of those movies that can bring up a lot of conversation. I have the sound track..music. I thought it was so pretty!!
So you and i are going to be in the same nursing home? Hm!! How have you got that figured out?
Just got home from Mrs. B's and boy it is exhausting mentally just to sit there and listen and listen..
I've never seen this movie. I do remember when it came out. I will have to rent it.
Sounds like you have an open and honest relationship with your daughters. That is wonderful!
Ohhhhh I LOVED that movie! And I KNEW Clint would pull it off wonderfully! I was sO sad for him at the end when she didn't go with him... but I was glad she didn't. One mistake was enough.
Now... what did I miss? How are you Sandy going to the SAME nursing home... and neither one of ya is going without ME!!! LOL! Oh yea... I can have as much fun in my old age as I have now! WE can have wheelchair races! Yes, indeed!
Oh... and I'm pretty sure that SOME movie, SOMEWHERE along the line ended in serious discussion ... but the difference between Miss Sensitivity and Miss PRIDE *sigh* is that Miss Pride does not REMEMBER conversations that she had 16 years ago!
What a wonderful story and I only hope that I make such wise decisions as you did in this situation as the mother of daughter myself.
I came across your blog as my sister (Autumn Foust Overbay) went to Milligan with Suzy. I find you both really amazing bloggers!
Angela
I've always been jealous of not being a member of the "blue eyed girls club," but not this time. I think you didn't take me to that movie because you knew how much I would mock Nicholas Sparks' work, even when I was still in high school! Yuck.
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