June 15, 2010

  • It's far too early in the summer (I might say that it actually shouldn't be summer at all) for me to feel this tired, this worn.

     

     

    We were watching Lord of the Rings today, the family and I, and there came the scene where Faramir is interrogating Sméagol. While I hate the changes, for the most part, that they made to Faramir's character (there really wasn't any resolution or accurate message to be drawn from the whole thing; they mistreat Sméagol and then we're supposed to hate him when he betrays them; uhh...what?), it's an excellent scene when Sméagol is lying on the floor in the corner, going back and forth between his two personalities.

    Now, I like the more twisted and depressing, we know this. But it really is this wonderful scene of his trust and strength just breaking down, him succumbing to the corruption around him.

     

    And yet, at this pivotal scene, at multiple times during it's short run (meaning there was a handful of comments being inserted), all I hear from some of the family members is, "God, is he ugly," and similar comments. My favorite part is when they're laughing while he's sobbing.

    Now, I've never been much of one to harp too much over fictional characters; I'll be brutally honest - I don't understand crying when Dumbledor dies. I mean, he's awesome and all...but I don't get it.

     

    But a complete lack of an emotional connection with a character? Well, we all know as a matter of living that that just doesn't happen for most people.

    Yet I know the reason for their disconnect. Every five seconds I had to hear some comment about how ugly he is or some other remark.

    Because apparently conscious creatures don't deserve attention or respect or understanding if they have an ugly mug.

    Save the dog because it's cute but let's ignore the starving man on the street because he hasn't had a bath in a few days and probably isn't looking the best.

     

    We so easily put first our own comforts and desires before bothering to consider that of others.

    It's pathetic.