I had the pleasure of going out to dinner and the movies with my husband while we were on vacation with my parents. A rare opportunity and we had a wonderful time. We went to see the new Harry Potter movie.
In the movie, Harry has a conversation with Dumbledore. Yes, for those of you that follow the story, Dumbledore is dead. Since when has that stopped anyone from returning in a magical movie like Harry Potter, though? Right? Being dead only allows them to become a ghost, a mystical phantom. This new form makes them even more powerful and influential. Pretty convenient.
Anyway, in said conversation, Harry asks Dumbledore if the conversation they are having is in his head (I.e. is his body laying in a magical battlefield wounded) or is the conversation real? Dumbledore, in his true fashion and infinite wisdom, turns to Harry and responds. (With a fantastically sarcastic tone, be assured). He tells Harry that it’s in his head, of course, but what does that have to do with it not being real?
His answer resounded in me, with an enormous poetic thud.
How often have we struggled with that very same question? We ponder the central issues of our lives, positive, negative and undefined. We conduct imaginary conversations with friends and enemies, in the hopes that we will gain so level of enlightenment. Sometimes we even create a mental image of what this conversation would look like. As they are imaginary conversations, we tend to devalue what we learn, how we react. The fact that our brain created both sides of the conversation leads us to believe that our conclusions must be lacking. And there’s truth to that. In our attempts to recreate a two sided interaction, we lack the perspective of the second party. Our conclusions can lack that wisdom.
But the opposite is also true. Those imaginary conversations can be the key to understanding ourselves on the deepest of levels. It’s like journaling or blogging. There’s nobody to answer to, so we tell ourselves the truth. We admit those deep, dark realities that we might not confess out loud, or even realize we feel.
What’s more real than that?
As I was watching the movie, I found myself wondering something else as well. I was a psychology major in college and it suited me well. I love figuring out how people think and why. I love becoming acquainted with the quirks of those I enjoy, traits that are all too frequently confused with flaws. Flaws? I think not. That’s what makes them authentic, real, interesting. Those are the best parts!
Anyway… I found myself watching Harry, Ron and Hermione. Yes, I know, they’re movie characters. Thanks for reminding me. That doesn’t change the fact that they are really interesting to watch and feel quite authentic. With the premiere of the last movie, I was reminded to be interested in the first movie, where the kids met for the first time. They were adorable. So young, so innocent. As the movies progressed, the kids got closer and more intimate, more devoted to each other as they got more mature and endured more of life together.
The last movie, with all the sadness and darkness, provided some extremely interesting scenes. Many of these scenes included little to no dialogue, but many opportunities for communication via body language and facial expressions. The way the characters look at each other at moments of danger… well… they are either very good actors or they really do love each other on some level. Or maybe a little of both.
And can you imagine that this wouldn’t be the case? Those actors worked together for years. How could they not be close? Making a series of movies like the Harry Potter Series must have been quite exciting and stressful at times. Whether they would have chosen each other as friends before being forced together, they must be more like family now. You know… like your cousin or sibling. You may or may not have chosen that person as a friend but you survived your family together so you’re bonded. For better or worse.
So the way they look at each other, that look of love and devotion. Is it fantasy? Good acting? Or is it reality?
I wonder if even THEY know.
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