I watched the movie Away from Her (2006) last night. A wonderful, yet tragic exploration of the drift into Alzheimer's and the December romances that can be developed between those who share this disease. Tormented by his own memories that he all too much would like to forget, Grant realizes the ironic truth that his beloved wife Fiona has (at times) nearly forgotten him, but not his act of betrayal.
As she drifts deeper into the forgetfulness of Alzheimer's, Grant reads to her from "Letters From Iceland" by W.H. Auden and Cecil Day Lewis.
"Isn't it true however far we've wandered into our provinces of persecution, where our regrets accuse, we keep returning back to the common faith from which we've all dissented, back to the hands, the feet, the faces? Children are always there and take the hands, even when they are most terrified. Those in love cannot make up their minds to go or stay. Artist and doctor return most often. Only the mad will never, never come back. For doctors keep on worrying while away, in case their skill is suffering or deserted. Lovers have lived so long with giants and elves, they want belief again in their own size. And the artist prays ever so gently, let me find pure all that can happen. Only uniqueness is success. For instance let me perceive the images of history. All that I push away with doubt and travel, today's and yesterdays alike, like bodies."
4 comments:
Your side is excellent. I referred a friend to hear the Heath Ledger reading and it is gone. Is there another way to access it?
Thanks, Bill
Sorry, I meant to write "your sight"
Also, the Dante picture is very good.
Or, perhaps "site." It's late.
The book "Letters from Iceland" was written by the poets W.H. Auden & Louis MacNeice, not Cecil Day Lewis as you have stated.
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