"Now you got to have friends. You know the feeling's oh so strong. You got to have friends. To make that day last long!" (Buzzy Linhart, Mark Kingman, 1973).
As more and more of us come out of isolation and re-establish connections with our friends and loved ones, it is wonderful to dream of better days ahead.
The dream of better days and better lives is not lost on John Adams (1776) and Tommie Albright (Brigadoon), but it is their friends Ben Franklin and Jeff Douglas who keep those somewhat crazy dreams in check.
Welcome to the February – March 2021 Edition: The Influence of Friends
Together these films illustrate that the best friend, the person you turn to for fun and adventure (a hunting trip in Scotland and the discovery of a land that isn't there -- Brigadoon) or support in a cause ("Vote for Independency!" (1776) is also the person who will tell you the truth. ("John, you're obnoxious and disliked. No one listens to you!")
When Adams is angered at the prospect of deleting the slavery clause from the Declaration, Franklin becomes the calming voice of truth. ("Consider what you're doing. We are men, no more no less, trying to get a nation started against greater odds than a more generous God would allow.")
Similarly, when Tommie professes his feelings for Fiona ("I believe in her! I believe in this place, and I can't leave!"), it is Jeff who provides a reality check. ("I don't know what goes on around here, but it's got nothing to do with me or you! You want to give up your family, your friends, your whole life for this!")
With these words, Tommie begins to question his commitment to Fiona. ("I'm sorry, Fiona, to stay, I had to have no fears, no doubts. Goodbye")
While fears and doubts place these characters at a crossroad:
If the declaration is not signed, the future of the new nation is in jeopardy ("Independence first, America -- if we don't secure that what difference will the rest make?")
"Why do you have to lose things to find out what they really mean?"
How will Jeff's life be affected by the loss of Tommie? Are his motives selfish?
Can there be too much honesty in a friendship?
Is a friend always the best person to direct your choices?
- Franklin to Adams regarding the Declaration: "Mr. Adams, I say you should write it! To your legal mind and brilliance, we defer." Adams: "If I'm the one to do it, they'll run their quill pens through it. I'm obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir!"
How can the introduction of a loving partner change the dynamics of a friendship? (Fiona, Brigadoon)
And Finally:
What elements of your client's friendships are mirrored in these films?
What elements of friendship make them long-lasting?
The answers to these questions can be found when you gather your clientele around the DVD and spend some quality time with classic characters that by now are old friends!
Enjoy!
~~Lori
References: Yauch, L (7 March 2015). Believe in Brigadoon {Blog Post}. Retrieved from www.moviesandmusic.biz
References: Yauch, L (4 February 2019). 1776 – The Promised land {Blog Post}. Retrieved from www.moviesandmusic.biz
