The performance that changed my life...

This is for "All About My Movies" blogathon. "The reason is pretty simple, just that acting generally makes or break a movie, and we should dedicate an entire day to praising the good ones. Everybody picks a performance (just one – choosing it will be the hardest part), and then, in manner that they chose – essay, poetry, images, YouTube tribute or anything else you can think of, you tell the world why that performance means so much to you."

http://zummer.blogspot.com/

And here's mine....and lord knows I had a few on my mind...

In the little seen "In The Cut", Meg Ryan plays an island of a person. She's isolated, smart, self-sufficient, it as if she doesn't really need anyone. She even relies on her own hand for sexual satisfaction until a detective comes along and shakes things up; all while a serial killer is stalking women on the streets of NYC.

Certainly, this character doesn't sound like me, but I understand her the most out of any movie character. Many times I get to the point where I see validity in blocking everyone out and holing myself up at home. Sometimes you have too much noise going on upstairs to deal with other people. She doesn't want things to get messy, she wants her life to stay in order and you can't do that when you let your guard down. I recognize that in myself. She's a teacher which puts her in the position to be bossy and controllig. Plus, she's always right and has a sly way of putting you down intellectually.

I love her relationship with her half sister too. The part doesn't have a lot to offer an actress, but as played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, the character has a life elsewhere. They hold hands, spend the night with each other and talk openly about everything; even Leigh's criticism of Ryan's drab wadrobe. Thats her touchstone. Everyone should have one.

The police officer who intrigues our heroine is Mark Ruffalo. He's aggressive, forceful and sexy. I think she's attracted to him mostly because he talks down to her, but not with any malice; he just confuses blunt with honest. When he asks her if she's afraid of what she wants she answer yes, because its alot. I get that. How can you expect someone to handle all of you when you overwhelm yourself at time (I mean the character of course).

What I learned from "In The Cut" is that letting your guard down can be scary, as scary as a serial killer taking heads off. But, if you do you may find someone who surprises you and takes you to places that scare but ultimately you have taken a chance and thats living.