The setup: it’s Thanksgiving Break, and two students, Claudia and Marnie, are the only ones in the dorm. They decide to watch the traditional TV airing of It’s a Wonderful Life together to pass the time. As they watch the classic film (and the commercials) they do a bit of bonding, as well as reflecting on their own lives.
As is typical of Bertocci, he uses his deft knack for dialogue and his ability to blend cynicism and sincerity, often in the same sentence, to paint a vivid picture of two young women both starting out in life. It’s a very short sketch, but it’s effective all the same.
It’s probably even more effective if you’ve actually seen the movie. But, I confess, I, er, haven’t. I suppose I should fix that one of these days. Especially since the whole point of Bertocci’s story is how the film has the power to bring people together. Which is of course one of the great things about fiction generally, not just that specific movie. Although I suppose sweet, uplifting stories are the best for this sort of thing.
Anyhow, this book is a quick and pleasant way to get into the spirit of post-Thanksgiving. i.e. sitting around having eaten too much and watching whatever is on TV. Which may not sound all that interesting, but in the hands of a true king of the craft like Bertocci, it can be the basis for strong literary fiction.
Interesting. Seeing as how I know this film so well from my first view sometime back in the early 1960s and the short story format will attract my current woeful short attention span this might be a go-to seasonal read.
Thanks
Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
On my ‘You can read this in one day. Do it!’ list 😀
You haven’t watched the film?? Fix it, you must, sir!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and, hopefully, a restful holiday time 😊
Oops! Forgot to put my name to my previous comment… Honestly, this age thing…
🙂 I will be sure and watch the film soon! 😀 And thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes.
Haven’t see it? What planet did you grow up on? I guess you must have been like my kids… if the movie’s not in color, they wouldn’t watch it. Black & white is where it’s at. (And if they have colorized it, don’t go down that route.)
Haha, when I was younger that’s true, I wouldn’t watch black & white films, but now I have learned to appreciate them. I just never got around to this one somehow.