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May 21, 2008

Becoming Jane.

Image copied from http://video.movies.go.com/becomingjane/

Only skillful storytellers can capture chemistry on paper or on the screen, and after a long time, I saw a movie that had moments that defined what chemistry was all about. By chemistry I mean hidden messages, silent consents, deep glances and sparks that fill the space between a man and a woman. And if I had to pick a moment that said it all, it was when Jane Austen searches for Tom Lefroy at the their last ball - anxious moments when her eyes skip from one person to another, registering and still not registering their greetings and a disappointing acceptance of his absence when she starts dancing - beautifully captured. And the moment the music begins and she begins to dance, he appears as if by magic, in step with her movements, a mischievous smile lighting his mouth, as if to say, "I saw you searching for me!"

And then on it's a game played with glances, blushes and question marks. They stare at each other even as they mechanically move through the steps with their partners, until it is obvious to all what they might be silently communicating with each other.

Even the scene after the dance when Tom compliments her dance, "You dance with passion", a whisper towards her as he stands behind her leaves an impact; it's as if she can feel his presence inches behind her and yet cannot bring herself to look at him...

And there is the whole element of romance associated with writing itself. And what can speak of it better than the life of a writer in love? Perhaps she derived the inspiration for her masterpieces from her life...

Sigh. It's for moments like these that I watch movies. For bringing to life the magic in beautiful words and powerful silences.

Becoming Jane
is a movie for romantics.

5 comments:

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Anonymous said...

LOL RS, you're such a hopeless romantic :-)!!!! But that's why I'm a regular visitor to your blog - I like reading about your musings on these little things - makes me smile every time!!!

Having just seen your most recent blog-post, I was reminded of a few little episodes that actually happened to me...

Not long ago, there was this colleague of mine that I had a crush on... I wasn't quite sure what to do about it though... I didn't particularly have any intention of asking her out or anything... Nevertheless, I couldn't help feeling a little jealous when I saw other guys flirting with her... So I then (stupidly) tried to chat her up a few times... she was so totally non-committal, and I took it as a clear rejection... I had ended up falling flat on my face (figuratively speaking) and gave up, feeling really stupid...

A few weeks later though, some of my friends were throwing a party, which I didn't manage to attend... but she attended... I heard later that she had asked about me, and that she seemed disappointed at my absence... I didn't know quite what to make of this...

A while after that, we met again at a social occasion, where there was a lot of fun and games and... dancing... we got talking briefly, and it was pleasant... I then playfully asked her if she would dance with me... I didn't really expect her to say yes, but - she smiled!!! The most beautiful I ever saw!!! I saw it in her eyes, she seemed thrilled!!! My heart leapt, 'cause we were going to dance together!!! - or so I thought... for, at that moment - just as soon as she smiled that magical smile, but before she actually said "yes" (or whatever she was going to say), we were rudely interrupted by a friend of mine who had to tell me something, at just that moment (it turned out later that what he had to say to me wasn't really very important)... He had no idea what he was doing, but I'll tell you he's not my favourite friend...

So, sadly, it was not to be... :-( We did meet again on a few occasions after that, but it somehow wasn't quite the same...

I've lost all contact with her now... But of course, I don't really know, and never will know, how she felt, where it might have gone... Maybe it was all wishful thinking on my part, reading meanings that weren't really there... But those will forever be sweet memories for me, especially that moment, that smile!!!

I know it must be odd to have total strangers telling these stories to you... Why did I post this here? I'm not really sure... But it's just - your post reminded me of those magic moments - those moments when words would be too much, yet they would be too little... when only the eyes can explain what the heart feels... when anyone who interrupts seems to be asking for a slap...

Oh well, I don't know... your post just brought out the hopeless romantic in me, and I just had to pour out my thoughts!!!

Anonymous said...

i was about to type,'its for reasons like this that i read your blog..'' and then i saw arun's comment. ahaaa..even better :)

arun should start a blog for these kinda posts.. superb man!

pesama idhayum oru tag a podalaam pola!

Sowmya Srikrishnan said...

Reminds me so much of those days when at school you (I mean, me!) read all those M&Bs, hopelessly waiting for those crushes to happen, reveled in them when they did - how I wish!!

RS said...

neeraj - umm thanks.

arun - :) That was an interesting story to read!

p~k - Exactly! His comment was more interesting to read than the post!

sowmya - The good ole days...sigh :)

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