We know greatness. We've seen it. We stared up at a movie screen and witnessed it. We've danced and cried along to it on our favourite album.
Greatness exists. They went there.
We know what it is, what it looks like, but will we go there ourselves?
I guess that's the hard part. When you find greatness, it's so personal. Your favourite movie is your favourite movie, everyone else likes 'Pulp Fiction'. If your personal God's divide opinion in others, how scary that your personal best might do the same.
Your brain can do good, your talent can tweak it and your hard work can drive you forward. But true GREATNESS? Maybe it's just a decision we need to make.
You love what you love, but you worry 'they' will think it's too cheesy, violent, romantic, obscure. We switch and adapt and guess and change and maybe it flies, maybe you get the job.
But greatness is somewhere else. It's that place you know where you never go. Its the world you really see, the dream you really live by, somewhere deep inside.
You might be alone in your room at 3am, or screaming like a maniac in a field because it makes your friend laugh -- wherever it is -- you'll have that moment when you feel like an outsider to society, but at one with the universe. That's where greatness lies, in the insights and experiences you get on the edge of normality, when everything just seems so incredibly fantastic.
The artist catches those rare insights in a bottle and releases them into the world.
I feel like we all know true greatness. We just need to trust it.
You're right that favourite movies can be a divisive subject Kid.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I tell people that Flesh And Bone is my favourite film I'm always met with blank looks and incredulity.
I'm grateful that Steve Kloves had a moment of greatness when he scripted and directed that film back in 1993.
It's just a shame that in the 18 years since it's release I've never found anybody else who shares my love for it!
I've felt like an outsider all my life. I think one of the saddest things for me is seeing people I know are truly talented and brilliant not being recognised. It really upsets me.
ReplyDeleteI love films that other people don't get just like Paul S has said. Miracle Mile is a typical example. I mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook this evening to no acknowledgement at all. I do understand it's not everyone's cup of tea but it is a special film for me. I'm so glad that it was made.
That is a common problem. Everybody should understand it and fight it)
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