I Already Know You By Heart

I love movies. I love the way they can make you feel, the adventures you can take and stories you can learn that you never could otherwise. I like meeting new characters, some that feel like friends, others you love to hate. I like beautiful movies, movies that have been designed so artfully that the production aspect becomes like another character. I, especially love movies that combine all of the above mentioned things. Two such movies that I revisit over and over for inspiration, for a wonderful story, and to see old friends are The Secret Garden (1993) and A Little Princess (1995). These films are based on novels by Francis Hodgins Burnett. They both tell stories about smart and precocious girls who make the best of their different situations, find love and friendship, and learn what is truly important in life. Now the films do vary a bit from the books but they are so well done that I and even the most critical of viewers don't mind. Each movie has its own unique style that brings to life the spirit and the magic within the stories without ever being silly or unbelievable. And what is great about these films is that they are magical without literally being fantasy films. I think that is a rare trait in films these days, particularly for children's films. They are filled with charm, humor, humanity and wonder. I only saw these films for the first time a few years ago which speaks volumes of their success. I have seen many movies, that came out when I was a child, later in my life and they simply don't hold up. Basically friend, you need to go out right now and rent these movies. You won't regret it. To get you in the mood, I have collected some images from the movies to inspire you. [*side note. I wanted to include a photo of the decorated orange attic from A Little Princess but was unable to find a good one. In a perfect world, I will have a room decorated in similar manner. My entire house in fact will be literar-ily themed. Also a second side note is that while I have never seen it, there is a sequel called Back to the Garden (2001) starring Camilla Belle, who small world enough had a small role in A Little Princess. I do not support the viewing of this movie as the plot suggests several things that I personally do not hold with; Mary marries Colin (perposterous, Dickon all the way), although Mary has turned Misselthwaite Manor into a home for orphans, the garden has been locked up again and needs saving (ridiculous), and lastly, when the key to the garden gets lost seemingly for good in a pond, a door magically appears so that the orphans can all go in and with their love bring back the garden (the beauty of the original is that it is NOT a fantasy, so where pray tell is this magic door coming from? hmm? Anyways, Thank you for bearing with me.]