Sweeping vistas.
Tragic Love Story.
Fabulous decorating.
One of the best movie soundtracks of all time.
Could you want anything more from a movie?
Nope - me neither.
Let's leave 1939 for awhile shall we, and head to 1985.
Actually, it's Christmas of 1985 and Barry and I are living in Regina Saskatchewan and over the Christmas vacation, we go see this movie and it immediately enters the pantheon of THOSE MOVIES I WILL LOVE FOREVER.
Winner of 7 Oscars, including best picture, best director, best cinematography, best art direction, best sound, best screenplay, and best original score.
Even now, when I hear the soundtrack (which I am listening to while I write this) I am immediately transported back in time and place.
So much to learn from this movie!
1) Marrying for convenience may NOT be the best idea, but then again...
Sure you marry a Baron so you can get away from home and well, live a life. But it turns out he's just not that into you, or maybe he's into you, but not so much that he won't sleep around.
On the other hand, if it gets you to Africa....
2) If you treat people with respect, they will repay you in kind.
Baroness Blixen takes an interest in the local people who work her coffee plantation. She eventually comes to love them and they her, and it is they that get her through the tough times. She falls in love with Africa as much as she falls in love with Denys.
3) The Heart wants what the heart wants
Oh sure, you're married. But you didn't marry for love and it is Robert Redford for God's sakes!
4) Airplanes are great fun until they're not
The excitement! You can see for miles! It's pretty much an aphrodisiac! But then, well, sometimes they do fall out of the sky, especially in Colonial Kenya in the early part of the 20th century.
5) And speaking of Colonial Kenya... This is how to decorate a house...
6) and dress...
7) If a man offers to wash your hair, say yes....
8) Better to have loved greatly and lost than never to have loved at all (see #1)
9) And you'll get a get a good book out of it...
10) and in the end, the first line is EVERYTHING....
I leave you with one of my favourite scenes in a movie ever:
How about you? What did you learn from Out of Africa? Do Tell!
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
