I was a little kid when I first watched Radio Flyer. You see, I was cuddled up with my mother and sister for what we thought would be a wholesome ABC family movie. So, imagine our surprise when we received a storyline about an abusive step-father and two cute little innocent boys. I'm not one for spoilers, so I won't say too much more about the content. Still, I will say that although the script was fused with a very serious and depressing subject matter... and although there were moments that struck me deeply... the elements of fantasy involved were soothing. So much so, that by the time the credits rolled, I was ready to continue about my night (by this I mean, bedtime), without thinking twice about the darker part of the film.
As a little kid, I would have described the film as hopeful. Would I have said that it left a lasting impression on me? Not particularly.
Even so, I started thinking about this movie again about 7 years ago... Not enough to really try to track it down. But let's just say, it was on my mind. Yesterday, I was able to track down the title via a very intensive Google search... And finally... I saw Radio Flyer. I really saw it for the first time.
"History is all in the mind of the teller. Truth is all in the telling." -- Older Mike
"There are seven of these lost secret fascinations and abilities. They are:
...that animals can talk;
...your favorite blanket is woven from a fabric so mighty that once pulled over your head, it becomes an impenetrable force field;
...nothing is too heavy to lift with the aid of a cape;
...your hand, held four fingers out and thumbs up, actually fires bullets;
...jumping from any height, with an umbrella, is completely safe;
...monsters exist, and can both be seen and done battle with;
And the greatest, most special and regrettable loss of all:
...the ability to fly."
-- Older Mike
This time... this movie proved something to me.
It proved to me that there is danger in both innocence and maturity. It reminded to me that innocence isn't ignorance; it isn't even necessarily naivete. It's just intelligence aimed in a different direction. Sometimes you have to wonder if they really did think that they could fly... or if they just truly believed that their imagination could save them.
Maybe it did.
And if it did, it makes me wonder if reality is so subjective... that maybe...
...it doesn't even exist...
Next time won't you cozy with me?
=^-^=
