I loved the humanity shown by the nurse when Julie broke the window for the distraction she needed to end her life. That was real. Then, Julie's repeated apology was heartbreaking yet did not seem rote. It was the first glimpse that this character was operating from a gentle heart and nature. This was supported by her care of her employees with the dissolution of property, making sure they were cared for - as well as her mother. Within her blue cloud, she still reached out when needed.
The journey in this film was beautiful and felt very real to me. Julie could not initially accept comfort from people. There is no comfort. The blue water - a place where she battled her demons in isolation, lashing out and floating - was veritably an anti-womb where she was fighting rebirth yet facilitating it. Time may not heal, but eventually she adapted. She felt the sweet wind (of life) on her face. She received truly a loving hug from Lucille. The finale of the symphony was liberating and...right.
I loved this, Lori.
I wondered if she did Olivier a favor or disservice by succumbing through grief to have a moment of connection. Had this been the last time he saw her, would it have been kinder to let him pine for something that never manifested? Or, would this have been a true gift to him? Regardless, that question did not come into final play.
True gift. That would be my answer. Any beautiful human interaction is a true gift, even if it's a once in a lifetime connection.
In this instance though, I couldn't help thinking that Julie has planted a little seed of possibility for the future, even if this was furthest from her intention at the time. She didn't just gift those moments to Oliver, but herself as well. Like she took the blue crystal lamp shade after she wanted to give it away with everything else. She even lashed out and tried to destroy it. And then changed her mind. This was the first act of giving in to carrying the past within her, rather than cutting it off completely, in her forced attempt to let go in such drastic ways. Eventually, by letting certain things back in and letting herself feel them, accept that they are irrevocably part of her, that's how she has found the right way to move forward.
I will watch the other two films in the series, but will not read synopses as I really love diving in the deep end.
Lol. Mea culpa. I thought after the "slaughterhouse incident" I should give just a little warning about the subject matter of the film this time.
On the whole I'm with you, Lori, about diving in the deep end and not knowing stuff prior. But there are a few trigger warnings I can think of I'd be grateful for nevertheless. #moreofawimpthaniseem
