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CINEMA SEEN - "Family (Un)Ties!" By William Margold The circumstances surrounding my birth are highly suspect. And how's that for a way to start a Cinema Seen column? But…because of the "mothered" nature of the three films that will be featured here, I figured that NOW was as good a time as any to reveal something that has been gnawing on my sensibilities for over 20 years. I was born in Washington D.C. on Oct. 2 1943. My parents "supposedly" were Nathan Ross Margold and Gertrude Weiner Margold. The word "supposedly" is used here, because shortly after my father, a highly regarded civil rights activist-cum-lawyer-cum-jurist died from heart attack in Dec. 1947, I was told that I had been adopted. Of course, I don't remember how I took the news, but over the years that ensued, it may well have driven a wedge between the matriarchal figure in my life and me. Gertrude (who understandably changed her first name to the much softer Gene) was a very intelligent lady, with a passion for writing that was never realized. She was always the best student in every writing class that she took, but she was never professionally published. It frustrated her. And I'm sure that it inspired me to get published. And currently, and quite proudly, I very much consider creating a weekly column for The LA XPRESS "being published." When Gertrude (Gene) and I could no longer "get along" (which was more often than not) she would send me off to various highly respected military schools and highly regarded boarding schools, where, while I hated the "authority" of my surroundings, I was provided with a high intensity education, which certainly got me high grades, and lots of attention, if not love, from my teachers. I also spent some time with Gertrude's (Gene's) sister, a pleasant lady named Mindy, who, although easily aggravated by my constant rebellion, really went out of her way to make sure that I knew she cared about me. Gertrude (Gene) refused to have anything to do with me, when, in 1972, I became involved, on all levels, including writing, in the burgeoning Adult Entertainment Industry. 13 years later, around the 1985 Thanksgiving holidays, for some restless reason, I felt that my youngest daughter (Goldie-Bear…that middle name is on her birth certificate) should get to meet her grandmother. So I tracked Mindy down. She was shocked to see me. But then matter-of-factly told me that Gertrude (Gene) had died five years earlier, I winced (slightly), and then matter-of-factly asked Mindy "are you my mother?" You see, I figured that because Nathan Ross was pretty powerful, he had, with Gertrude's full understanding, and perhaps because she couldn't conceive, impregnated my aunt (Mindy), and then manipulated the paperwork of my birth certificate because on it, my mother is listed as Gertrude. Would that qualify as my "being adopted?" Hmmm. But imagine my surprise when Mindy quite matter-of-factly responded---"I won't answer that question." Bigger "hmmm." 20 years later, I am still "hmmm-ing." Which brings me to discussing the movies on this page…all of which deal, in varying degrees of insight and intensity, with "fractured families." THE SQUID AND THE WHALE---This is one of those "to be taken VERY seriously" little films that sort of makes you feel guilty if you don't find more to it than there really is. Nevertheless, writer-director Noah Baumbach has crafted a pretty cathartic experience featuring quality performances from perpetually underrated Jeff Daniels and the always-superb Laura Linney whose marriage is going down the drain while their multi-conflicted sons (as well as their cat) strive to survive in the whirlpool. THE CHUMSCRUBBER---I've long believed that neglectful parents have been creating generations of potential serial killers by loading their offspring up on anti-depressants that are then counter-effected by depressants which in turn lead to the taking of more anti-depressants which leads to…! Glassy-eyed and internally seething---these "children of the dim" are the focus of an uncomfortably amusing creation from writer Zac Stanford and director Arie Posin that features what appear to be "community service" appearances by the likes of Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Allison Janney, Carrie Ann-Moss and Rita Wilson. FINDING HOME---Some movies were not meant for the BIG screen---particularly during the "holidaze." And this VERY earnest effort from director Lawrence David Foldes, wherein burning emotions are overwhelmed by a seemingly desperate yearning to be appreciated---is most certainly one of those productions. Indeed, despite, or perhaps because of the antique presence of Louise Fletcher and Genevieve Bujold---the tale of bloodlines discovered in a remote part of Maine would have been much better served by flickering its tale out on the TV set in your family's living room while you are being comforted by the warmth of a fire place, and even an occasional hug. end NOTE: Originally published in LA Xpress, December 22, 2005, issue. |