A Genealogy Tree

Dad's been fascinated by our family history & studying our family's genealogy, well, forever. At least for my forever. As my adolescent years grew on & we'd be discussing as a family much of anything in this category, he'd also mention lightly, or at least nod my way, that he saw me as the kid who'd follow in his footsteps, perhaps picking up where he's left off on tracking & trailing all those along our family's path of "relativity". Perhaps he's right. 😀 One thing I know for certain is that my style would be a whole lot different. And there are plenty of times when I'm quite certain I'll never work on any of these things, that is, in the spectrum that is genealogy.

Regardless, one of the many times I sat crocheting, I flipped through my Amazon Prime movie watching options & came upon this movie (which is the Amazon Prime link). This link is to the DVD, which I've since chosen to own. I do reach for my technology, I really do; though I'm still far back enough in the generational line-up to appreciate having all things [read: as many things as possible] advantageous to me from a quick & simple reach. Case in point: Spending time outdoors, not utilizing any technology (like running, walking, hiking, canoeing, etc. without even a Walkman available). Taking up a craft (crocheting, most likely for me). Reading a book (the kind that requires the reader to hold bound paper).

So even though I'm still utilizing technology by owning & playing a DVD, I'm not utilizing the internet, & therefore I'm not concerning myself with having it available to me or working from it. It's more peaceful & much less stressful for me; I like that.

Another plug for DVDs, especially this DVD, is that DVDs, unlike movie theater movies, & well, Amazon Prime, & like internet viewing options, contain commentaries (& deleted scenes, gag reels, etc.). I really enjoy watching & listening to movie commentaries. And this movie's DVD does contain an enjoyable commentary.

I came to select this movie because it has the words "Family Tree" right in its title. Family history & genealogy are all wrapped up in us learning about our own family trees. I further found myself watching & re-watching it because of its eloquence, overall message, purity in complexity, & general "softness".

As I type these words I'm dying inside to share many "spoilers" 😜. Especially many from the commentary. The main character's genuine & placid nature also seems to walk the viewer into each scene which makes for a well paced movie as well as a gratifying viewing experience.

One thing I will include, as, since this month's begun, I've re-watched the DVD yet again, is that there's a character who goes by "Leenie", which, as she explains, is a nickname; her full name is "Eileen". The main character tells her, while they're sitting on a bench, not facing one another, outside a building, that her name is "pretty", that both "Leenie" & "Eileen" are "pretty". She thanks him, though she also "nails" the ideal facial expression for "okay?" (read "okay" drawn out, like: okkkaaaayyy] as it's obvious (as anyone knows), that she's not picked these names for herself, & they are, to her, exactly what they are: her names. This moment of the scene makes me giggle. Incidentally, that scene also closes on her saying, "okay" & making that facial expression.

*****

Dad's visited numerous churches, county courthouses, various historical archives, history museums, really wherever he learns that genealogical information is to be had which might add to, or enhance his research, possibly...potentially adding another name stretched out somewhere on the family tree which makes up our relatives. Dad, not a "writer", hand-writer, or otherwise, even writes notes to certain locations when necessary to see what they've to offer, or what insight they can provide along his journey. Many have opened doors & tossed out the red carpet. And yes, a few have practically slammed the door instead.

He found a newspaper article about our great-great grandfather (okay, maybe it was our great-grandfather), who, in the article, was six & had happened to find himself in an accident, a "child's play" accident, which required the removal of one of his legs. This meant that this (however many "greats") grandfather always had a peg leg, as no one was ever aware of a "one-legged" family member.

*****

The movie isn't about genealogy or a family's family tree in the sense that one might think to consider, though I've come to notice the movie's double meaning. The movie includes nothing about any family tree - nothing "branch" related, & there's hardly any "research" mentioned either; yet there's a true beauty, love, & pure sense of family - true family; they definitely wrote "a love of family", & also somewhat, a "loss of oneself", into the plot. Well, I suppose, this actually is the plot 💓😍💗.

After watching the movie, reconsider the image from the main part of the DVDs cover; the portion between the movie title & the actor's images. This gives a good clue & simultaneously provides an "ah-ha" as to the multiple meanings behind this movie. A recreated purposeful tree for any family (of children) "endorsed" by a family tree.

I'm glad I did purchase this movie, because I know I'll definitely be watching it, as well as its commentary, countless more times.



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