Call it Path to Absoriffia, Or Something

So, they've gone and made a movie of one of my very favorite books from childhood, Bridge to Terabithia. Have you read it? It's a beautiful story about friendship and kindness, and class and poverty and being "different," and about using your imagination to get through life's hard spots. It's a gentle book that treats its readers -- children -- with respect, and addresses some very mature issues without condescension or sentimentality.

The movie, on the other hand, is about monsters that come to life and two kids that have to "find the key" to "unlock the mystery" and "return to safety". Or something like that.

When I saw the preview on TV Saturday morning, I'm afraid I was less than calm. "Oh my GOD!" I shouted, and of course Phoebe repeated me. "I don't BELIEVE this!" I yelled at Chris, who sympathized.

The thing is, if you want to make a movie about a couple of kids who invent a magical world that then actually comes to life and threatens their safety -- fine! Make that movie! More power to you! Just don't call it Bridge to Terabithia, because that's not what Bridge to Terabithia is all about.

Comments

aimee said…

Amen sister!

4:00 PM

Anonymous said…

I totally agree. I saw the previews and couldn't believe that anyone who knew the book would do something like that to it!

Mom

4:22 PM

Abbey said…

I hate when they ruin good books with terrible movies. I have a rule to never watch a movie after I've read the book. I'm always disappointed!

8:55 PM

Merry Christmas to Joey, too!

Scene: After the Christmas pageant. Me: You did great, Mallory, we're proud of you! Mallory: What was your favorite part? Me: Hmm. I liked the "Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby?" song. Chris: I liked that one too. Me: But I also liked "Joy to the World." Mallory: Joey in the world? What's that? Me: No, joy to the world, the song you just sang. Mallory: Oh yeah. Me: That's one of my favorite songs. Phoebe: A favorite song is a song that's your favorite and you like it and you sing. (Pause) Phoebe: And you dance. Mallory, before the show, in front of our haphazardly decorated Christmas tree. Phoebe declined to be photographed. All I was able to photograph of the event itself: Phoebe, objecting to the camera's flash: Now she closes her eyes before I snap every picture. Sigh. But she's cute anyway! And so is Mallory! And their dresses match! We're thinking Arby's: Okay, that's it! Recently read: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife . ...

Little sisters

Mallory was invited for a sleepover tonight; this morning, as she was packing her suitcase, Phoebe came in and said, "Me too!" When Chris found her suitcase, and gently told her that she wasn't invited to the sleepover, she cried for an hour. I think I'll always have a special sort of sympathy for Phoebe, my second child, because I was the second child too*. (And it's odd, because although I have younger siblings as well, I always think of myself as a little sister, or as the younger older sister, if that makes sense. I think that's because Jana, my big sister, was so good at being the oldest, responsible and, uh, authoritarian, and I am, well, fundamentally irresponsible. We all bowed to her! In a good way. I could never live up to that.) I often feel sorry for Phoebe, left behind while Mallory goes to school all day, because I well remember the long, lonely boring days I spent waiting for Jana to come home from school (not counting the days I spent playing i...

A Picture Post

A poster Chris drew for the annual Harvest Day Bake Sale, proceeds to benefit Mallory's preschool: A poster Chris drew for Mallory's class. What did Phoebe say when she saw it? "El-mo!" She's good at spotting that little red monster, even when he's not red. Our beautiful new chair! Which actually matches our beautiful new couch! Phoebe looking pretty. Mallory looking goofy. My girls.

Always Remember That

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