Saturday, July 03, 2004
My favorite movies change from time to time, but one of them for many years is a film called Beaches. I like it because I like friendships. Friendships that last longest are the best. Friendships, however, can have problems. In this film, the working out of a conflict is illustrated in moving terms. .
"Beaches is the story of two women whose lifelong friendship bridges their opposite backgrounds and lifestyles. CC Bloom (Bette Midler) is raised by a single, blue-collar mother. She follows her childhood dreams and becomes an actress and recording artist. Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) is raised in an affluent family, attends law school, marries a successful lawyer, and enjoys her wealth. The two remain friends until a breach of trust drives a wedge between them. Eventually, they restore their friendship before Hillary dies of a rare heart virus.
After Hillary’s husband leaves her for another woman, she is extremely lonely and depressed. When she hears that CC is a headliner at a nightclub in San Francisco, she finds the courage to go and attempt to make amends.
Hillary finds a garishly dressed CC alone in the club. Hillary refers to things CC said in the past that hurt her, and says she forgives her for those comments. Hillary also confesses she is sorry for returning CC’s letters unopened.
CC says, “Did you know how bad things were for me? Did you know my career was in the toilet? No! Because you never answered one of my letters.” In tears, she continues, “If only you’d answered one, just one, and told me what a jerk I was…anything!”
Hillary soberly responds, “I don’t know how to fight back. I’m not strong like you.”
“You took away your friendship without discussing it with me,” CC replies in obvious anger. “That friendship was more important to me than anything. I trusted it. I believed in it. But you didn’t, and now it’s gone. Thank you very, very much for forgiving me, but I don’t forgive you!” CC walks away in a huff, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
But Hillary’s words cause CC to stop in her tracks: “I was jealous. I was so jealous of you I couldn’t see straight. You did everything you said you were going to do—everything.” Her eyes tear up and her lips quiver. “And your talent is incredible. Talent!” She turns and starts to walk away before adding, “I can’t even yodel!”
CC calls from across the room, “Hillary, what does yodeling have to do with it?”Hillary looks up. Their eyes meet. CC confesses her own jealousy. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart. People look at you!” There is a lengthy pause before CC continues, “It was all my fault!”
Realizing the barrier that had grown between them had at last been broken, Hillary responds, “It was all our fault.”
__________________
In heaven we'll all be one in Christ; in the meantime, I hope for days when occasionally barriers are broken through honesty, transparency and most of all love.
"Beaches is the story of two women whose lifelong friendship bridges their opposite backgrounds and lifestyles. CC Bloom (Bette Midler) is raised by a single, blue-collar mother. She follows her childhood dreams and becomes an actress and recording artist. Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) is raised in an affluent family, attends law school, marries a successful lawyer, and enjoys her wealth. The two remain friends until a breach of trust drives a wedge between them. Eventually, they restore their friendship before Hillary dies of a rare heart virus.
After Hillary’s husband leaves her for another woman, she is extremely lonely and depressed. When she hears that CC is a headliner at a nightclub in San Francisco, she finds the courage to go and attempt to make amends.
Hillary finds a garishly dressed CC alone in the club. Hillary refers to things CC said in the past that hurt her, and says she forgives her for those comments. Hillary also confesses she is sorry for returning CC’s letters unopened.
CC says, “Did you know how bad things were for me? Did you know my career was in the toilet? No! Because you never answered one of my letters.” In tears, she continues, “If only you’d answered one, just one, and told me what a jerk I was…anything!”
Hillary soberly responds, “I don’t know how to fight back. I’m not strong like you.”
“You took away your friendship without discussing it with me,” CC replies in obvious anger. “That friendship was more important to me than anything. I trusted it. I believed in it. But you didn’t, and now it’s gone. Thank you very, very much for forgiving me, but I don’t forgive you!” CC walks away in a huff, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
But Hillary’s words cause CC to stop in her tracks: “I was jealous. I was so jealous of you I couldn’t see straight. You did everything you said you were going to do—everything.” Her eyes tear up and her lips quiver. “And your talent is incredible. Talent!” She turns and starts to walk away before adding, “I can’t even yodel!”
CC calls from across the room, “Hillary, what does yodeling have to do with it?”Hillary looks up. Their eyes meet. CC confesses her own jealousy. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart. People look at you!” There is a lengthy pause before CC continues, “It was all my fault!”
Realizing the barrier that had grown between them had at last been broken, Hillary responds, “It was all our fault.”
__________________
In heaven we'll all be one in Christ; in the meantime, I hope for days when occasionally barriers are broken through honesty, transparency and most of all love.
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