Observables #3

on tight plots and searching for spunk

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, a spunky novel that examines race and privilege with a very tight plot. So tight in fact, that it kept me up last night thinking about how a writer takes hold of plot that adeptly, you know, the way Simon Biles does her triple double, making it appear like the easiest thing in the world. Spunky, by the way, is what I asked my script editor about my latest script:

“Did it get more spunky?”

“I think it got too spunky.”

Shit.

This multicoloured bathing suit, which offers my fair skin ample protection and my children always know where I am.

Unfortunately, the custom fees I paid were equal to the price of the bathing suit, so I can’t recommend. 

The Farewell, a delicate portrait of one family’s particular approach to death and grieving, by director/writer Lulu Wang, with comedian Awkwafina as the lead. I especially liked watching it snuggled up to my sister and her cat (that tolerates me.) Normally when our two families are sitting down to watch a movie together we let my oldest daughter coerce us into her choice, which is usually a Marvel movie or something with angry birds. But this time I cut a hole in our togetherness and begged my sister to watch an “art” movie (aka what she calls a “sad” movie) with me. 

“Can this be the moment you get over Manchester by the Sea?” 

“Never.”

“It’s true. No-one gets over that movie. But this one is not sad. I promise.”

“I’m trusting you. Now where’s my wine?” 

---

Also, Natalie and I are starting a podcast called Sister On! Stay tuned.