what i'm watching: vera drake

We saw the movie "Vera Drake" last night, just out on DVD. (Thank you Netflix!). I thought it was very well done. Writer and director Mike Leigh is a master at illustrating complex themes through his story, without ever using characters as billboards. Since I struggle to do that with my own writing, I know how hard it is, and I am very impressed.

I felt a deep kinship with the character Vera Drake, a working-class woman who "helps girls out," as she calls it, by terminating early pregnancies. I am very prone to this stirring feeling of solidarity, be the characters striking office-cleaners ("Bread and Roses") or Alabama bus boycotters. I believe we are all part of the same struggle - that everyone working for justice is linked, across all cultures and all times.

The movie "Vera Drake" also illustrates abortion as an act of morality and compassion. The fetus is a form of life; that much is clear. A human being in a persistent vegetative state is also a form of life. Terminating certain forms of life can be necessary, can be preferred, and can be moral.

Comments

  1. LocuTus of Borg31 March 2005 at 05:55

    Laura, I will have to see that movie, because I am always interested in the mind-stimulating movie rather than watching the bang-em-up movies all the time. I did not hear of the movie but sounds very intriguing. Just one comment, it would be nice to finish this blog in another blog: "... of life can be necessary, can be preferred, and can be a moral." I would be interested in hearing more about your thoughts and ideas. Good luck on the transition to Canada - you know - Canada is there so Americans can have jokes ... hahaha j/k! Later locutus

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  2. laura k31 March 2005 at 06:26

    Hi ALPF, I've missed you! Thanks for the LOTD, I'll check it out later. Running off...

    ReplyDelete
  3. laura k31 March 2005 at 06:29

    And thanks for your thoughts, LoB. I'll consider writing more about that statement.

    Another movie I recommend, if you haven't seen it, is Mike Leigh's "Secrets And Lies". I won't tell you what it's about, only that it's very good, poignant and thought-provoking.

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