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COAT OF HAIR OR MY VISIT TO THE DOCTOR…

Last night I met up with my pal, Alan, and we took in a viewing of the much debated film “about” Diane Arbus. The film, FUR, has come under a great deal of criticism. And, I was expecting to hate it. I love the work of Diane Arbus and have always felt she had a truly fascinating life and eye. I could not really fathom why someone would opt to create “an imagined” portrait of her life.
It didn’t take me long to understand. I am aware that there are a number of folks who disagree with me, but this film takes us to places I’ve not yet visited and it avoids the typical TV movie cliches that most bio films fall into. There is very little “truth” to be found in this film when it comes to the facts of her life — but this film is not so much about Arbus as it is about her art.

Every scene is framed with care. Every use of light serves a purpose. And, as we watch a de-ethnitized/de-constructed Diane Arbus meet/fall in love with her “id” — make love to it, accept it and jump head first into the mysteries of life that seemed to capture her every blink — we are pulled into a warped and beautiful world of imagination and celebration of the inner-freak. So perfectly composed.

We are also given a disturbing view of suicide and the immense sadness of self that can lead to that. However, it seems this film is missing an audience. I suspect this is because of the casting of the most odd choice to play Arbus and the seeming inability of the 21st Century to fully grasp romance and self-discovery. Interesting. We are living in a time that is in desperate need of real romance and focus on “self” ….Oh, well. I LOVED it! I put it up there as one of the best I’ve seen this year.

I am trying to save money and lose my “new marriage” weight of about 8 pounds. So, I’ve not been eating sugar, trying to only eat half of whatever is served and walking a lot. I had a doctor’s appointment today. Last night, I purchased a large popcorn (even tho I can’t finish one — the thing is I can’t stand the idea of spending $3 on a tiny bag of popcorn when I can get a large one for just 50 cents more)

So, I got that and a large Diet Coke. I guess I ate about half the silo of popcorn and half the large Diet Coke. When I got home I had 3 classes of water. I woke up late so I opted to skip breakfast. I went to the doctor during my lunch hour at 1:00PM. They took blood tests. This was just a check up. All is fine. Anyway, I had lost 4 pounds! Yay! But, after they took my blood — I was just chatting away to the nurse who drew it. I stood up as we were laughing and I started to pass out.

Well, I got lectured up and down. I had to lie down, drink juice and promise to go have a full lunch. I did. And, I ate half my plate of dinner. …and, I am going to allow myself half a cookie. I walked home tonight. Sigh. Food. I guess one needs it. Money. I guess I need to make more of it.

I wish I had a coat of the hair of my “id” …I think it would be blonde and wavy. It would blow in the wind, keep me warm and require me to move to Malibu. I can’t take very good pictures, tho. And, while I do like to face what scares me — i don’t really like to hang out with those things all the time.

If you’ve seen the film you know the closing exchange of lines. I loved those two lines as I think they rather sum up Arbus’ work.

Can you tell me a secret?