Comments on The House Next Door: What More Could One Want?: Flight of the Red Ballo...

Thank you all for the compliments; they're almost ...

2008-04-05T08:28:56.673-04:00

Thank you all for the compliments; they're almost as inspiring as the film itself!

Hey, really appreciated your review, Kenji. Thanks...

2008-04-04T18:45:00.000-04:00

Hey, really appreciated your review, Kenji. Thanks for sharing that. I've greatly enjoyed your reviews, and the personal touch here was particularly inspiring.

There are days, and weeks, where it can feel like life is kicking you in the face regularly. When it feels like there is almost no hope, a movie like this can come along, or furthermore a review like this, and it speaks to that spark of hope that somehow, inexplicably, keeps us going.

You're right about the idea of always searching. Great comfort can be taken from this. And I'm not talking bullshit sentimentality, or that a flower or a movie is a heal-all. Watching a movie won't put that money in your pocket for food, rent and subway tokens. But it can open the imagination, broaden our perspective, and help us feel understood or less alone.

The best art, as you say, helps one make sense of life. I don't believe it holds challenges at bay, though -- sometimes it shows us a different perspective on those things. That shift in your point of view can be enobling, or can help us survive, or can make us laugh. All good things.

Jeremiah

I second Matt - and I was thinking the same thing ...

2008-04-04T15:06:58.878-04:00

I second Matt - and I was thinking the same thing about this being the perfect kids' flick (if they can read subtitles, that is. Unless Matt's little ones speak fluent French...)

This is a nice melding of non-jaded critic meets non-jaded film. Sweet.

I appreciate that, Matt. Don't forget to bring you...

2008-04-04T14:04:59.257-04:00

I appreciate that, Matt. Don't forget to bring your kids along! ;-)

Kenji, this is one of the most honest and moving e...

2008-04-04T01:43:49.043-04:00

Kenji, this is one of the most honest and moving essays about the intersection of life and art that I've read in a very long time. Thank you for writing it.

"The Flight of the Red Balloon" is now first on my list of films to see this weekend.