The 'A Ha' Moment

I had an ‘a ha’ moment last night as I watched Walk the Line on HBO. Actually it was a déjà vu ‘a ha’ moment, that moment when you finally understand something. I had gotten the same feeling watching the movie when it first came out in theaters. As a rabid movie goer, I get this feeling all the time. It’s usually accompanied by a quick smile or a slight tingling up my spine. I cherish my ‘a ha’ moments because it usually means that I fully understand the appeal/performance of an actor or I see them in a different light.

My ‘a ha’ moments have enriched my cinema experiences and helped me grow has a viewer. I firmly believe in the healing power of escapism in film. I also believe that motion pictures have a rich tradition of storytelling that often leads to an education. You can learn from a movie.

Below are some ‘a ha’ moments that changed my life and views of the actors:

Joaquin Phoenix- Walk the Line (2005)

I had no doubt that he was a great actor but his roles usually ran the dark creepy route. Creepy has never been an aphrodisiac for me. His portrayal of Johnny Cash opened me up to his sex appeal. I finally got it. Reese Witherspoon was a delight as June Carter and I believe stole the movie but her scenes with Joaquin were electric. His vulnerability was a turn on. He’s no River but he’s definitely come into his own.

Russell Crowe- A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Up until this point, I thought of Russell as the chameleon. He was the man’s man and the actor’s actor. I knew he was brilliant but I never got warmth from him. A Beautiful Mind showed a softer side to him. It was exciting watching this great intellectual fall in love and reason his way through insanity. He also has the most enormous hands I’ve ever seen. They’re truly obscene.

Diane Lane- Unfaithful (2002)

This is an underrated movie containing one of the most honest scenes ever filmed. Diane Lane went beyond her charming and lovely exterior to reach a complex suburban wife with the perfect house, husband and child but is still unsatisfied. Her train ride home after her first indiscretion is unforgettable. Her face conveys the competing emotions of her heart and mind. This scene alone should have garnered her the Oscar. I recommended this movie to several people. Most didn’t like it. It’s still hard for people to imagine a woman having an affair especially one who seems to have it all. Watch it! Also, Olivier Martinez is a little slice of French heaven.

Adrien Brody- Summer of Sam (1999)

Those who know me, know that Adrien has been one of my favorites for some time. The first time I saw him was in this movie and I knew immediately that he had something special. He plays a Bronx kid that longs to escape this common life for the excitement of Manhattan. His descent into NYC’s punk scene and seedy porn life was vivid. Spike Lee crafted a masterful glimpse into this time and place. These people become real to you. Spike knows ethnic groups in the boroughs like no other.

Meryl Streep- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Meryl will get a Golden Globe nomination for this and possibly another nom for Best Supporting Actress. She’s delightfully sinister as the fashion editor from hell. It’s obvious that she is the great actress of her generation and more but boy is she great at comedy. She really has a great sense of comedic timing. My first experience with Meryl was Kramer vs. Kramer. I went to see this at the theater. What a strange request from an 8-year-old. She broke my heart in Sophie’s Choice and Out of Africa. This woman can do it all.

Tom Cruise- Magnolia (1999)

Yes, I put Mr. Cruise on this list. He was amazing as the arrogant self-help guru. Tom has always played the same character over and over. The handsome but cocky (insert occupation here). The love of a good woman brings out his sensitive side. How boring. This role was brief but well-acted and well-written. A revelation for him. His dramatic roles usually turn into melodrama.