Film Trailer

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Going to Jacksonville

I just found a summary review of the movie in the NY Times: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453071/
Dying-to-Live-The-Journey-Into-a-Man-s-Open-Heart/overview


I don’t remember being mentioned in the NY Times since I my first starring role in a film, “Moving Violations” for Paramount in 1983 and again when I appeared on stage in John Shaner’s play “After Crystal Night” in NYC later in the 80’s. The thing about any kind of review is; “If you believe the good one’s, you have to believe the bad one’s” In this case I’m drawn to the comment in the Times about “how the demands of maturity can make themselves known at nearly any age.” The hits keep on coming and I’m doing the best I can. Last night I got a phone call from my friend Peggy. She must be in her mid 80’s. Very frail and tiny. Valerie used to call her Twee. She was like an auntie to Valerie. She asked if I would take her over to the Emergency Room at Cedar Sinai here in Los Angeles. She was experiencing vertigo, shortness of breath and a fever. I said I’d be there in 5 minutes and was, but I must admit that I was very uncomfortable being back in the hospital called on yet again to hold someone’s hand. Maturity for me is not, as I might have hoped, a passage in life that ultimately occurs at a certain point in time and than exists. It needs to be worked on at the most unexpected times. I realize most people understand this, but for me it’s always a new realization. Here I am thinking that I’ve grown-up in living thru all of my experience with mortality, care-giving and death. Than the making of this film relating my personal truths and the gratification of bringing it to an audience that could use it to address difficult issues in their own lives. Now I was asked to be there again for a friend and I resented it. I was uncomfortable. Not wanting to change my routine and forgo my needs.

I’ve been speaking after many screenings of Dying to Live discussing end of life issues. A common thread for me is stating that we give so much attention to life when it’s brought into the world and the same care should be given when a life is beginning to leave the world. Last night I consciously had to work on my patience. It’s still tough being an "adult."

I’m getting ready to leave for the Jacksonville Film Festival on Saturday. We screen there on May 19. It will be great to get an audience reaction to the movie in an entirely different region of the country and discuss these issues.