Silver Linings Playbook: Achieving the trifecta of movie greatness.

OMG I saw Silver Linings Playbook last night. Yes, I know, "welcome to a month ago, Kath". But seriously,  WOW.

Now I'm no movie critic (my main reason for liking a movie is directly correlated to the number of times it makes me cry uncontrollably), but I'm pretty sure that this one was good ... Good Will Hunting good.

Although I'm no critic, I believe that this is one of those movies that can change you. It can make you believe, love, dream. I saw it almost 24 hours ago and can't get it out of my mind (partly because of Bradley Cooper... I mean COME ON). It grabbed onto something in my heart and hasn't let go. It truly achieved the Kathryn Christie Trifecta of Movie Greatness (patent-pending... KCTMG for short):

1. It made me cry tears of sadness AND tears of joy.
2. It RESPECTFULLY and accurately addressed a legitimate societal reality that is in need of attention.
3. It made me root for every character, "good" or "bad".

Let me explain ...

1. Movies that make me cry only tears of sadness are day-ruiners. Because the movie experience doesn't just end when the final credits roll. I weep for a good three hours afterwards (often longer) with no glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel... it's a hot, snotty mess that nobody wants to be a part of. You've gotta mix in a father-son moment or old people kissing/holding hands to get this girl's seal of approval. Silver Linings Playbook had a plethora of father-son moments AND some adorable moments between the mom and dad. STAMPED.

2. This movie talks about mental illness. A big, important elephant that sits in every room and that not nearly enough people acknowledge. So I want to throw up a HUGE high five to everyone involved in this film from the man who wrote the book to the actors ... I believe it was extremely well done. I believe that they did a wonderful job portraying the struggles and triumphs of those living with mental illness and the people close to them.

3. For me, the beauty of a great film is that, although there are always heroes and villains, everyone gets a chance at redemption. I, sometimes to a fault, always look for the good in people. I love a movie that does it too. At some points in SLP, you want to just KNOCK a character out. But, as people often do in real life, the character surprises you... I like that. It makes me smile (and cry, obviously).

So, to conclude, go see this movie if you haven't seen it yet. Talk about it, talk about mental illness, talk about love, talk about happy tears, talk about Bradley Cooper's dreamy eyes. Seriously, they are so dreamy.

“Good movies make you care, make you believe in possibilities again." - Pauline Kael

Mind your P's and Q's: kindness does not mean weakness.

OKAY, so I get that I am a woman and with that, comes business-world-related issues. Glass ceiling/ inequality/ etc. etc. But that doesn't mean that I am going to change who I am to become some testosterone-slinging female version of Simon Cowell.

Female Simon Cowell

Why the rant, Kath?

Well, I read an article about how women say sorry to much and, to sugar coat it, it PISSED ME OFF.

I understand that women, in our nature, may be more empathetic and more concerned about the well-being of others... jeez, we're the worst. But how exactly are those faults? How are they crippling gender-specific shortcomings? I, personally, love the fact that I am empathetic and that my gal pals are too.

I also understand that we are all responsible for our own fate and we cannot use the fact that we are women and we "deflect conflict" or whatever as a crutch in the workplace. I GET THAT, I really do. But, for those of you who know me, you'll know that I'm not one to make excuses for pretty much anything. I get frustrated, I get focused, and I figure it out.

With that being said, I'd like to venture a new hypothesis about women in the workplace. Maybe it isn't the kind, loving women who need to change who they are and become a constant version of our pre-menstrual selves... maybe it is the culture in the workplace that needs a little tweaking. Maybe we could all benefit from being a bit more compassionate and empathetic from 9-5. To all the dudes out there, this is NOT intended to bash you - I think you're great and I think you should keep on doing what you do, because you are a HUGE asset to the workplace.

What I do intend to do, is motivate all of the women out there to do what my father always told me to do: Kill them with kindness. Yes, maybe being nice won't propel you up the corporate ladder faster than you can say "I'm sorry", but I promise you that it will pay off in the end... in more ways than one.

I'm nice. And I'm okay with that... you should be too.

So, to the person who wrote that article and to all of the others who have written similar ones, I'd like to say:

I'm SORRY for being a nice woman who cares about people in the workplace; and

THANK YOU for motivating me to be even nicer. Also, you're great and I'm sure you didn't write that article with the intention of hurting my feelings. I forgive you.


"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia