Draft of Reaction Paper

GUSTILO, CHRISTINE-DION B.
HUMSS-11
I:
Edie is the latest film about how good it is to be old. Sheila Hancock plays a cranky 83-year old
who climbs a mountain. Senior empowerment receives a generous but flawed showcase with
Simon Hunter`s drama about an octogenarian who attempts to achieve her goal of climbing a
mountain in the Scottish Highlands. Of course, it`s not really about the joys of being old, so
much the vigor of the experienced mind. Elizabeth O`Hallorah the writer of this film proves both
hackneyed and lacking in depth. Hancock is brilliant always, she accepted the challenge. She
actually did climb Suilven, a 731-meter peak in the western the wilderness of Scotland, for the
movie. Edie achieves its purpose, to deliver a controversial message- it`s never too late. Within
a pleasing package, dominated by a strong performance and sweeping aerial shots of the
stunning landscape. It depicts about the 83-year old central character’s emotion liberation when
her husband dies before the opening credits roll. It turns out that Edie has been caring for her
wheelchair husband for the past 30 years. Her daughter Nancy immediately makes plans for her
to enter an old-age home, but instead she takes off for Scotland. She impulsively leaves a train,
hoping to fulfill her dreams of their father. Earlier, her father sent her a postcard but her husband
did not let her to go. But before she could make it happen, her father died. Leaving off the train,
Edie meet the cute fashion when he and his girlfriend literally mow her down while they`re
hurrying to catch a train. He turns out to be Jonny, who have a local camping store and offers
Edie to stay on his apartment. Jonny, whose business is struggling, offers to be Edie`s guide
climbing the mountain, hoping to take financial advantage of the old lady`s situation. No points
for guessing that once they start a climb, they begin to develop a friendship and respect that will
dramatically affect their perspectives. What`s really inspiring is the behind the scenes footage
with Hancock, talking about her reaction when she learned to take this role. She would have
actually to climb the actual mountain, even she have fear of heights. She has the twinkle we see
in Edie`s eyes. If she could do it at age 83, there was no way these big, strong, crew members
were going to let her see them give up.
II & III:

The writer Elizabeth O’Halloran write extra monologues and diary entries in her voice to get a
sense of it, each new draft would begin with the script development. Regret at any such age is a
powerful emotion- things we didn`t do, things we didn`t say; the things we would take back if we
could.” Elizabeth wants us to know about these. It`s a perfectly viable setup but the film never
explores it in emotionally satisfying fashion. Instead, it`s content to resort a cheap laugh or
shock effects, such as when Edie gets knocked down in bar. Edie seems awfully eager to use
its central character as bowling pin. Nor the relationship between Edie and Jonny developed in
particularly highlight involves grudgingly agreeing to drink beer out of a can. Its purpose is to
forget all those problems and simply be a happy go lucky sometimes. It is also about rebellion of
Edie from her daughter`s wish for her to move into assisted living by embarking on an adventure
she and her father longed for. Improper treatment of children to the parents is also present
which the very heartbreaking part is. And the overpricing of the clerk to Edie which they abused
her age but Jonny didn`t continue this thing, rather Jonny help her to fulfill her dreams. Being old
is not a problem, it doesn`t mean that you cannot do what everyone can do. Despite of
generational differences, Jonny encourages Edie to fulfill her dream. Hancock lends the
proceedings in a certain gravitas with astute, understated performance in which she never
sympathy for heart often prickly character. “I’ve lived a whole life and most of it i would change if
i could.” She says. “I’ve wasted so much time doing nothing. I can`t give up this now.” No one
she encounters thinks climbing the mountain is a good idea for a woman in her 80s who
sometimes has a hard time opening car doors, except for the young co-owner of a local
camping shop. Edie is laughed at by the locals or considered an easy mark. But Jonny and Edie
bond despite their age gap. He feels trap in his life too. Ultimately Jonny does not want the
money which she forces on him; he sees only her dream and wants to help her with his similarly
obsessive drive. Both are strong-willed personalities. The author says that it doesn`t wrap up
everything in a bow at the end, but it is worthy for your time. Older woman attempts to scale a
mountain. Hancock fills in so much of the spare script with her control, her expressive face and
eyes. When she finally laughs, you feel it. What is common in this film is the exploring ideas,
regret and taking a chance. The growing friendship of Edie and Jonny was understated but very
genuine warmth. Edie is the latest in a spate of recent films about old-timers, close to the end of
their lives, trying to reconcile themselves with their troubled pasts while also looking for a little
adventure before the grim reaper calls. Compared to the other film, the author`s opinion is that
Edie is determined to pursue the dangerous trek and climb in desolate wilderness, haunted by
the memory of her father and finally doing something for herself. Despite some gaucheries and
instances, the core premise of trying to become intimate with your father`s ghost while engaging
in a bit of self-realization before it is too late supervenes. Jonny is the son she never had. If it
wasn’t` half of her age, he could be the Mr. Right. It`s a perfectly viable setup but the film never
explores it in emotionally satisfying fashion. Instead, it`s content to resort a cheap laugh or
shock effects, such as when Edie gets knocked down in bar. Edie seems awfully eager to use
its central character as bowling pin. It involves grudgingly agreeing to drink beer out of a can. Its
purpose is to forget all those problems and simply be a happy go lucky sometimes. It don`t
qualify age and appearance. The film was very lesson-learned and informative. Many lessons
can change our mindset and perspective in life. It inquires us to create goals and achieving
those. Not easily giving up and having determination. Being old is not a problem, it doesn`t
mean that you cannot do what everyone can do. My own view of the issue is the following: first
is the time that she wastes for doing nothing but still pursue even in the tough times. Edie still
fulfill her dreams way back then. Second is the improper treatment of Nancy. It is about
Rebellion of Edie from her daughter`s wish for her to move into assisted living by embarking on
an adventure she and her father longed for, and also planning her to enter an old-age home.
Third is the friendship of Jonny and Edie that does not require age, the growing friendship of
Edie and Jonny was understated but very genuine warmth.

IV

Edie is unashamedly sentimental. It`s plot is as predictable as the bad weather which hits the
mountain just as the old is trying to climb it. It might seem flimsy but there`s so much here,
including exploring ideas of fulfillment, regret and taking a chance. Plus, it`s refreshing to have a
film heroine with white hair and wrinkles. Edie leave these charming possibilities lingering and
trembles with a poignant sense of mystery and loss.Hancock knows from experience, from all
sides of it, that isn`t always easy. “But it is the only way to kind of live in your life, really. I have
gained no wisdom at all in my old age, but that`s the only message I have. It`s down to you,
ultimately. It really is.” Hancock says. On our younger years we should use our time wisely and
live our life to the fullest. We also be careful on the decisions we`re choosing. Time is Gold and
we cannot turn back the past. Are you using your time wisely? Or just doing nothing? We should
also have the “do not quit” attitude; if we start doing something we should finish it. Have
determination in mind, do not give up. We should imitate Edie`s courage in climbing a mountain.
For us mountain is like a problem that we should encounter. Are you ready for obstacles? are
you ready for the challenges?