A Very Long Engagement & The Phantom of the Opera

Two straight weeks of movies! Last week, we saw "A Very Long Engagement", a story of love and hope, enduring the test of time and despair. From the makers of Amelie (one of my all-time favorite movies), this one's a tad darker and loooonger. I was just bawling at the ending, as it was climactic and bittersweet.

Thoughts from "A Very Long Engagement"...

You just know - Call it instinct or gutt feel. Mathilde, the lead character played by Audrey Tautou, always knew if her Manech was alive. It's like this unexplainable force which binds two people together.
Hope prevails - In times of darkness and despair, the power of hope sustains and illuminates. I particularly liked how Mathilde had these small "bets" with herself, "If I make it to the curb before the car gets there, Manech will return alive." Something I do myself.

Thoughts from The Phantom of the Opera ...

Two things I felt and realized after seeing this movie:
(1) Longing for the musical - Broadway has a different feel than the silver screen. After I saw the movie, I wished I could've seen it in Broadway. The grandeur and the spectacle would've translated better on stage. In other words, the movie itself was lacking a certain "punch" I've been expecting from Musicals in general (have not been disappointed with Moulin Rouge and Chicago)

(2) Music was fantastic - I love the songs from the musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber's a genius. The songs are so heartwrenching. I've found a new love for "All I ask of you":

Phantom Of The Opera - All I Ask of You Lyrics
RAOUL
No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.
Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry -your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
RAOUL
Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .
CHRISTINE
All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .
RAOUL
Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Iet me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me
with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Christine,
that's all I ask
of you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .
BOTH
Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me . . .
RAOUL
You know I do . . .
BOTH
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
(They kiss)
Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .
(CHRISTINE starts from her reverie)
CHRISTINE
I must go -
they'll wonder where I am . . .
wait for me, Raoul!
RAOUL
Christine, I love you!
CHRISTINE;
Order your fine horses!
Be with them at the door!
RAOUL
And soon you'll be beside me!
CHRISTINE
You'll guard me, and you'll guide me . . .