Saturday, September 18, 2010

My Review of North & South

Bliss. This is the feeling I was left with after watching North & South. It's a long, hard journey to that complete satisfaction, but it is one that is both necessary and wondrous.

From the very beginning, the music of this movie swept me away. It is grand and hauntingly beautiful, and it seems to echo long after the movie is over. The sounds truly capture the emotional depth of the various scenes. They emphasize the authenticity of the feelings and make them that much more moving and real.

But it wasn't just the music that stood out to me. It was a combination of a great many things, especially the acting and the cinematography. I was both drawn into the story and drawn close to the characters. The pain that they felt, the struggles they faced, and the hope that somehow endured . . . all of it was inspiring.

I simply loved how this movie portrayed real life--including the raw anger, the aching need to survive, the longing for justice, and the blossoming of passion. I was reminded of so much that I'm sure no matter how many times I watch it I still won't completely grasp all that I can learn from the movie. I was shown, not simply told, the importance of not judging others, of having compassion and being willing to seek understanding. Through the contrasts between the North and the South, I saw how people have different perspectives based on where they come from. Through the growth of John Thornton and Margaret Hale, as well as some of the workers, I saw how people could learn to respect each other and truly show love. And I loved every minute of it.

This is a movie that will stay with you and leave you with an ending and overall impression so beautiful, you will be in a state of bliss.

*With much appreciation to author Laura Frantz and those who follow her blog for introducing me to this wonderful, wonderful movie!*

14 comments:

Kav said...

I'm still on the waiting list at my public library (#31) but now I really can't wait to watch this movie!!! Everyone loves it!!!!!

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I'm so glad you liked it Amber, it's one of my all-time favorites!

XOXO~ Renee

Amber Holcomb said...

Kav,

Oh, I do hope you get to see it soon! :D I just know you would love it!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Renee,

I loved it! It's now one of my all-time favorites, too! I just watched it all the way through a second time last night. :) It was a late, late night, but it was definitely worth it!

~Amber

Julia M. Reffner said...

Amber, I love it, too. Are you going to read the book? Its one of my favorites and you can get it for free here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/4276 and there's a free kindle version, too at amazon.

Amber Holcomb said...

Julia,

Glad you agree! :) I'm not sure if I'll read the book or not. Thanks for letting me know about where I could get it, though, if I was interested!

~Amber

Julia M. Reffner said...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be pushy towards you reading it...Just wanted to share that I enjoyed it. I love Project Gutenberg and the fact that they make so many classics available for free.

Amber Holcomb said...

Julia,

You weren't pushy at all! I'm sorry if I sounded uncaring about your suggestion. That is really neat that they have classics for free. :) As an English major, I probably should enjoy reading classics in my free time. As it is, I generally read classics when I have to for school and read Christian fiction for fun. :) I'm sure it's a great book, though, as the movie is amazing!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

~Amber

Unknown said...

So happy you enjoyed this - it's one of my absolute favorites! It's a rare thing that a movie leaves me so "wowed" - but N&S delivered on all fronts. I think the first time I watched it I rewatched the last ten minutes eight times in a row, at least. Bliss. :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Ruth,

I was enthralled by it, for sure! I'm so, so glad I heard about this movie on Laura's blog! :D I think that's a great way to put it--it really did leave me "wowed!" Both times I've watched it I simply watched it all in one sitting--even though it meant staying up into the wee hours of the morning. And oh yes! Those last ten minutes are bliss! :D

Thanks for stopping by!

~Amber

Julia M. Reffner said...

Amber, LOL. I was the same way. In fact it was probably a couple years out of college before I read a few classics for "fun."

Amber Holcomb said...

Julia,

Thanks for making me feel better about that! ;) Glad I'm not the only one!

~Amber

Amanda Stanley said...

BEAUTIFUL review, Amber!!! Love your wording and I couldn't agree more!! This is my absolute favorite movie and I'm so happy you enjoyed it, too :D

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

Thank you! :D This is definitely one of my favorite movies now! I'm so glad you and Laura (and all her followers) recommended it to me!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Amber