Is All Art Therapy?
I saw a movie recently that I can’t get out of my mind. Not because it was a great movie or because of the filming, soundtrack, or special effects.
It was low budget, filmed with a hand held camera, and described by its writer/director as an autobiographical confessional documentary-type of film. I enjoyed the “director’s cut” menu feature (where the director narrates over the movie dialogue) more than the actual film, but I had to have watched the film to enjoy it.
The movie, “Manhood,” is described in one review as a darkly funny, compelling family drama that probes the depths of masculinity, specifically Jewish masculinity, in America. Interesting enough; but what interested me most was what I learned from the writer/director, Bobby Roth, in his behind the scenes narrative. In the movie, and in Roth’s real life, his sister was violently killed. Re-living his trauma through making a film about it, using dream sequences and his own son as an actor, Roth used his art to process his sister’s death and to honor her life.
I wrote “The Jim and Dan Stories,” the book about losing my brothers a month apart, for the same reasons. And while Roth’s film tells a modern story through a Jewish experience, mine is told through a working class Irish Catholic one, covering the 60s and up until my brothers’ deaths in 2001.
Another reason I liked and the film was that it was filmed on a shoestring budget using local resources, as my book was. In the directors cut, Roth tells how he and the cast got creative and stole some scenes in places they didn’t have permission to be. He explained how he used his friends as extras in the movie, his real son’s bedroom to save money, and rather than pay to film in a pawn shop, he had John Ritter, one of the actors, walk past a pawn shop to imply that he went in, which was part of the story line.
Even the movie’s soundtrack drew on resources close to home for Roth. At first glance, you wouldn’t think the music of Bruce Springsteen would be so, but in the director’s cut Roth reveals that he’s married to Springsteen’s sister.
The actors, John Ritter, Janeane Garafolo, Nestor Carbonell, and others didn’t get paid upfront for their work. They got involved because they support independent film, the director, his message, and his methods. Those who support independent film know it as an art. They know that human stories deserve to be told… from the living room to the big screen… and everywhere in between.
I enjoyed watching Manhood, and while I recognized right away that it wasn’t a Hollywoodized production, I wasn’t aware of the bare boned and personal way it was created until I heard Roth explain it. Mostly, what I liked about the movie was that it was a testament to what art is, what art is for, and why we, as human beings, are compelled to make it.
January 6th, 2006 9:24 am
I never heard of this movie. John Ritter has since passed away too.
Sad that losing someone is so devasting and life is never really the same. Love you!!!!
January 6th, 2006 9:40 am
I’m always interested in finding new, obscure movies to watch. I’m going to have to check this one out.
Michele sent me!
January 6th, 2006 11:11 am
I’m curious now. I’ll have to rent this. What a great post. Very true thought! As a performer turned full-time mom I have had some epiphanies about art. One echoes your thoughts about the power of art as therapy for all of us. The other is…I used to think that I needed to “make it.” I was driven to be on Broadway. Now I realize that getting to create art anywhere is a privilege. An appreciative audience no matter where it is, even if it is in a living room (which is my favorite)is all any of us can ask for. I remember in one of your posts you said small towns wouldn’t be the same if everyone were famous. We all must have our local poet, minstrel, painter etc. Thanks for this post.
January 6th, 2006 12:49 pm
this was Ritter’s last movie before his death, Sherry.
i thought it was an exceptional study of father/son and other male relationships…especially the role of uncles as sources of authentic adult male nurturance
men can be mentally healthy as well as sick and this movie was honest on all fronts.
January 6th, 2006 2:21 pm
I’ve never seen or heard of this movie but will put it on a list of movies to see.
January 6th, 2006 3:11 pm
We so need culture and art in our lives. I will surely look for this film.
January 6th, 2006 4:28 pm
Okay, you talked me into it. I’m gonna go find it and watch it. Thanks.
January 6th, 2006 4:48 pm
Art (at least the movie/TV art) has been driven by commericalism so much that real art that makes us think about ourselves and our place in the world is rarely seen. Americans also are a nation of overstimulated beings so the movies have to be over the top on stimulation and mechanics rather than storyline or character development.
January 6th, 2006 5:04 pm
Well, I hope no one will be disappointed if they see it. Like I said at the beginning of the post, it’s not a great movie, it was the behind the scenes way and reasons it was made that made an impact on me. My husband is beginning a class on human sexuality and brought a bunch of movies home with themes for his studies. I never would have thought to get this movie on my own.
January 6th, 2006 6:51 pm
So much art, like sports and politics, has become all about the money.
I wonder how much, real heartfelt stuff gets lost in the process.
January 6th, 2006 9:55 pm
Creating anything is good for your health.
Sue Richards
January 6th, 2006 10:02 pm
That’s one for me to rent — thanks for the review. As one who is trying to sell my own heartfelt stuff, I can relate….
January 6th, 2006 10:17 pm
Blogging is also art, in my estimation.
January 7th, 2006 6:27 am
Love this post, Colleen. I feel so strongly about this very subject…Everything I’ve ever created comes from my pain, or life experioence and to have made ART out of it and then have that touch other people is sooo meaningfull…I know you know this…
A long time ago someone gave me a pin that says: ART SAVES LIVES….that says it all!
I want to see that movie!
January 7th, 2006 2:08 pm
Hi Colleen. Thanks so much for this wonderful perspective on what sounds like a wonderful film. I guess I know what I’m looking for when I head out to the video store later today.
God, I LOVE indy film for all the reasons you cite. Art, for the sake of art.
January 8th, 2006 12:56 am
Bravo —> “…it was a testament to what art is, what art is for, and why we, as human beings, are compelled to make it.”
January 8th, 2006 1:16 am
Great post, I’m gonna check out that movie.
PS. Now, I wish Glenn were Brrruuucccccceee’s brother. Does he have a brother? haha.
January 9th, 2006 4:21 pm
Scrapbooking sure is!!!
🙂