Review of HAIRSPRAY

HAIRSPRAY - STORY: An overweight teen pursues an unlikely dance career and boyfriend.

HAIRSPRAY - MESSAGE: Doing what you think is right, enthusiastically following your dreams, assuming nothing will get in your way, taking your own initiative -- all will win the day. Spirit and heart are not skin deep.

HAIRSPRAY - WIN: Completely refreshing was the opening tune where the teen was exuberant with the passion and enthusiasm for her life. In this happy state, she decided on her dreams, giving them more power to come true. The emotions, from the sleazy seductress, to the care less father, to the worried mother, etc. were very true to their real world characteristics. The teen and her friends stand up to injustice. It promotes competence (dance) and marital fidelity. It doesn't promote promiscuity, alcohol, smoking or drugs.

HAIRSPRAY - LOSE: Promotes, a bit, breaking the rules of the group (school) though for a "good reason." It promotes cross-dressing, but my husband noted that it was less politically incorrect (and gave it a comedic edge) to have John Travolta in a fat suit swinging it around than it would have been to cast a large woman in the role. It promotes overindulgence in food and the characters not taking care of their bodies as well as they could, sort of from the viewpoint of them having no cause over their weight.

HAIRSPRAY - EFFECT ON ME: It made it okay to be enthusiastic about life. Made me realize that there are things in my life to be enthusiastic about and to stand up for/against, and made me realize I could be more enthusiastic.

Sincerely,
Becky Mate
Script Consultant
www.virtueinthearts.com

Review of RATATOUILLE

RATATOUILLE - STORY: A rat with a discerning palate wishes to become a chef despite obvious obstacles.
RATATOUILLE - MESSAGE: Anyone can achieve what they want to achieve. Believe in other people. Pursue your passions -- it's worth the effort.
RATATOUILLE - WIN: The hero, Remy's, competence was refreshing and well demonstrated. It promoted cooking as an art form. He followed his passion despite obstacles. Competence and excellence was praised and rewarded. Ironing out relationships, and standing up for your dreams, can bring about tremendous support from family and friends. Showed alcohol as a tool of an antisocial to undermine a good person.
RATATOUILLE - LOSE: None.
RATATOUILLE - EFFECT ON ME: Very uplifting. Made me want to eat some ratatouille. Made me further appreciate fine dining and fine chefs as artists. Made me want to persist in my goals. Made me feel stronger about standing up to opposition.
Sincerely,
Becky Mate
Script Consultant
www.virtueinthearts.com

Review of HARRY POTTER 5

HARRY POTTER 5 - STORY: Only Harry's closest friends believe that the villain has returned, and encourage him to train an army to defend against the villain.
HARRY POTTER 5 - MESSAGE: Life in the world of muggles is harsh and unforgiving. Stand up for what you know. Friendship wins the day. Those who seek to limit your abilities have animosity toward you, no matter how they sugarcoat it.
HARRY POTTER 5 - WIN: The children took it upon themselves to create and train an army when their antisocial adult leader would not do the right thing. I liked the waving of a wand creating miracles. With magic has to come a sense of spirit of play, which was illustrated by the twins who disrupted the rein of terror by the antisocial adult.
HARRY POTTER 5 - LOSE: A person could not use magical abilities for good if they were morose or at the mercy of the disdain or loathing of others. Whereas it is normal to have fluctuation of emotions, being morose for a good deal of the film is uncharacteristic of a true hero.
HARRY POTTER 5 - EFFECT ON ME: It made me want to recapture my spirit of play. It made me want to let people know that the magic doesn't come from the wand.
Sincerely,
Becky Mate
Script Consultant
www.virtueinthearts.com