Let’s me preface my following statements for those who do not know me intimately. I LOVE movies! The art form serves as a muse for my own creative work. And “Love Actually” is one of my favorites (judge me if you want, but know that I don’t care). The one particular story lines of nine in the now Christmas Classic, that resonate with me, is the one of Jaimie. It speaks to a deep personal desire of mine. No, I have no interest in my wife cheating on me with my brother. Nor do I dream of hooking up with the woman that was imported to work for me after I see her strip down to her undies and jump in a lake and profess my love even though I can’t understand a word she says (thats getting pretty close to crossing the line to human trafficking and prostitution). No, It’s because of the third main character that is never spoken of but is arguably the most compelling element of this whole story.
It’s the space that envelops the unfolding of the love affair; The stage itself. This love story blossoms in a rustic French lake house set in a picturesque countryside. I’ll call the home Madeline. I think anything this beautiful deserves a name. The love scenes would mean nothing if not for the light filtering through her wooden paned windows and resting on the warm white washed plaster walls, the exquisitely carved doors and worn terracotta floors. The home is exponentially enhanced by the rolling hills framing a private lake that sits a few step down from the entrance. What doesn't feel possible in a place like this?
The scenes that stick with me the most are the ones that I crave in my own reality.
Sure, an attractive Portuguese love interest would be awesome, but it’s Madeline that stole my heart. Being able to check out of my day to day reality when things get crazy and escape to arms of my own Madeline have been the plot of my fantasies. She would be my own piece of heaven set in a backdrop of paradise. My inspiration to write, think, dream and create in the warmth her aged soul. The importance of the unspoken character of space and architecture are essential in almost every (great) movie. It’s the character of a movie that although has no speaking parts, tell the anchoring story. For that, this is my ode to “Madeline” in one of my favorite guilty pleasure films.