Movies In My Life

Three films released during my college years (1966-1970) have stuck with me for over fifty years. The Graduate (1967) is an obvious choice for great movie: Mike Nichols earned an Academy Award for Best Director. Anne Bancroft played the delicious seductress Mrs. Robinson, and Dustin Hoffman was the title character who after the seduction falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter. For anyone adrift in the Seventies, this was great entertainment as long as you ignored the war heating up in Vietnam.

Easy Rider (1969) written by Terry Southern, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper. The film took us on the road, showcased the counter culture, and introduced actors Jack Nicholson and Karen Black. Fonda and Hopper as Wyatt and Billy were everything I wasn’t. I never did get my own chopper.

The last of the three was A Thousand Clowns (1965), a movie adapted from a play by Herb Gardner. I was enthralled by the unemployed television writer Murray Burns played by Jason Robarts and enchanted by the social worker who tried to save him played by Barbara Harris. Murray wanted to live life on his own terms but realized relationships were more important.

The Sixties ended. I grew up. My tastes changed. I got married. Twice. I wished I’d done some things differently. And then I found my favorite movie of all times, Groundhog Day (1993) with Bill Murray, Chris Elliott, and Andie MacDowell. The movie assures me that if you don’t get life right the first time, you should try again, and again, and again. Once Phil Connors figured out what was important in life he pursued it until he found the right combination. Phil is my inspiration.