The Black Balloon
I think the frantic pace I have been keeping caught up with me last night where I think I just hit the wall, figuratively speaking. I went to bed early, and I think the first 38 degree celcius day also added to my enervation as well. Before retiring I commenced watching a film I had no idea about called the Black Balloon.
As it turned out the film is an Australian film, and would rank among the best Australian films I have ever seen. Lantana being the first. The film is about a family who has a son with special needs and shows the dynamic of that influence on all of their lives.
It impacted me somewhat because there were many shades of the character Charlie I could relate to with Denzel. This is the first film of it's kind I have seen. There were no magic endings, it portrayed life, peoples bigotry and the triumph of overcoming prejudice and accepting people for who they are. It will not be a movie many people will watch, but it is very powerful. It starred Toni Collette and a number of smaller Australian actors. I give it 5 out of 5.
My thoughts turned to many families and single parents who live with disabilities and my heart went out to these fragmented members of society, for whom a normal life is very different to the vast majority. People have said to me on occasion, it must be hard not having a "normal" child? I have never seen it that way, Denzel is just Denzel, but I know many people whose limiting abilities are much more time consuming and onerous than Denzel's are. Compared to many we are blessed. But then we love and accept him as he is and for who he is. I don't like the term "normal" it indicates that Denzel is abnormal, and to Denzel, his life and ways is all he knows, which to him is completely normal. I prefer the word regular instead. After all what is normal to one may be extremely abnormal to another. Even with regular people.
As it turned out the film is an Australian film, and would rank among the best Australian films I have ever seen. Lantana being the first. The film is about a family who has a son with special needs and shows the dynamic of that influence on all of their lives.
It impacted me somewhat because there were many shades of the character Charlie I could relate to with Denzel. This is the first film of it's kind I have seen. There were no magic endings, it portrayed life, peoples bigotry and the triumph of overcoming prejudice and accepting people for who they are. It will not be a movie many people will watch, but it is very powerful. It starred Toni Collette and a number of smaller Australian actors. I give it 5 out of 5.
My thoughts turned to many families and single parents who live with disabilities and my heart went out to these fragmented members of society, for whom a normal life is very different to the vast majority. People have said to me on occasion, it must be hard not having a "normal" child? I have never seen it that way, Denzel is just Denzel, but I know many people whose limiting abilities are much more time consuming and onerous than Denzel's are. Compared to many we are blessed. But then we love and accept him as he is and for who he is. I don't like the term "normal" it indicates that Denzel is abnormal, and to Denzel, his life and ways is all he knows, which to him is completely normal. I prefer the word regular instead. After all what is normal to one may be extremely abnormal to another. Even with regular people.
Comments
Craig, did you ever happen to catch "The Rain Man" (at least, I think that's the title!) with Dustin Hoffman?
As for Rain man, yes I have seen it and loved it. Dustin Hoiffman and Tom were great in their roles. And Qantas is still the only major airline in the world that has not had an accident!
As for the comments on a 'normal' child....Seriously? People continue to amaze me Craig.
Denzel is a blessing in your family's life. And you are a blessing in his.
That's all that matters.