Lisbeth Salander

It is not so often that I encounter fictional characters who are so captivating that I feel like they really exist. Last time it happened in 1991 when I came across Milan Kundera's "Unbearable Lightness of Being": Tomas, Tereza and Sabina. I lived with them ever since.

Now I just found Lisbeth Salander from Swedish writer Stieg Larsson's trilogy. I watched the movie adaptation of the novel "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" on DVD and was so intrigued by the movie: its plots and social commentaries, but especially the heroine Lisbeth Salander, a genius computer hacker with a troubled past. She is a social misfit, so damaged but will never be crushed. I went to the movie theater to watch the sequel "The Girl Who Played with Fire" the next day and bought the third book "The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest" afterwards.

Larsson is a writer of incedible talent with a conscience for social justice. He left us too soon at age fifty in 2004. These are the books that people all over the world are now reading. Their popularity is a phenomena in Europe. These series of books are mystery drama, somewhat reminds me of "The Silence of Lamb", but I find Lisbeth Salander so much more complexed and fascinating. Swedish actress Noomi Rapace has transformed herself into the character. Her performance is a chilling perfection.

I am yet to find out more about Lisbeth and what will happen to her from the novel. I think I will live with her for a while, studying about her, as if I really know her.

Horsemanship-The Horse Whisperer

In preparation of riding school, I have been reading and researching on horsemanship. It has been an enlightening process. It has shed new lights for me to understand humanity as well.

Gentle horsemanship involves communicating in the language of horses and using their logic, rather than expecting them to use ours. It teaches us not to blame the horses as they look for the easy way out. We should show them there is a place to go and take them through. The horse and human need to learn how to liberate themselves so that they can explore the harmony between them.

Being social creatures, both horse and human need close contact with others; they need love, support, understanding, recognition and stimulation to become whole and balanced. When you are learning how to get with your horse, you are learning about what there is to see. You are trying to get with that horse's mental system. This is done through feel, because this is what fits a horse.

I watched a 1998 movie "the Horse Whisperer" tonight which illuminates the art and wisdom of horsemanship for me. This movie also explores the subtle relationship between man and animal, mother and child, husband and wife, and man and woman. It has demonstrated many times without diaologues, the power of touch.

This movie is adapted from Nick Evans' novel. A young girl and her horse was left with serious physical and emotional scars after a devastating accident. Her mother took them both to travel to the wild west to seek out a "horse whisperer". A horse whisperer is a horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on natural horsemanship and modern equine psychology. The story then unfolds the many facets of relationship and the healing process on the ranch.

I love the superb cast: Robert Redford is the horse whisperer and also the director of the film; the young girl was played by then teenage Scarlett Johansson; the mother is Kristin Scott Thomas, whom I consider one of the most captivatiing actresses of our time.

The breathtaking cinematography takes you on a outward journey of the beautiful scenary of Montana. At the same time, its powerful story-telling takes you to an inward journey of self-discovery and healing. You experience emotions like fear, pain, despair, confusion along with the characters. You also cheer with them as they find courage to make choices, and finally finding freedom. It is a poignant film, full of strength and grace.

And now how I want to touch a horse!

An Education

I watched "An Education" on DVD tonight. First time I watched it on the airplane. I was already captivated by the film. During this second time, I got to savor every word of the script. The special features of the DVD are very helpful in understanding and appreciating the crafts of this film.

The movie is about a bright young school girl in the 60's London who encountered an older man, introducing her to the glamorous world of adulthood. It was her memoir of a coming-of-age journey.

This film directed by Lone Sherifig is so far the best film I have watched this year. To me it is British movie at its best. I love the accents and the Bristish dry humor. The script is written by Nick Hornby who also wrote "about a boy"(another very good movie). His writing is charming and witty.

There are sensitivity and attention to details in every aspect of the film. For example, the beautiful cinematography of the Paris montage are without words but it visually captures the emotions of the entire adventure. Also, I love the film score at the opening scene. They use light-hearted 60's swings, which really sets the nostalgic mood for that era.

The entire acting ensemble is brilliant. I adore the lead actress Carey Mulligan, who is such a natural talent. I have no doubt that she is going to have an amazing acting career. You can literally watch her mature on screen as she goes through her "education".

This is movie magic. It takes you on an emotional journey. I too, came to an awakening along with her:
"I feel older, but not wiser"

What education can bring us out of our fragility and innocence?

up in the air

I just watched "Up in the Air" in which George Clooney's performance earned him an Oscar best actor nomination. He has found his match of onscreen chemistry in Vera Farmiga, whom I found irresistably sexy and attractive.
Clooney played Ryan Bingham who literally lives his life out of a suitcase. All year long he travels all over the world for business. His chance encounter with Alex, who is a fellow business traveler, along with his sidekick protege, help him realize that life is about the connections that one makes along the journey.
The movie also explores the human condition of loneliness and the alienation of people in the modern world. It is a deeper movie than I expected.

"Up in the Air is light and dark, hilarious and tragic, bouncy and brainy, romantic and real"---Entertainment Weekly.