My writing teacher asked us to bring in a piece of journalism we like to discuss with the class. I’m sure she meant print journalism, but the first thing I thought of was an NPR film review of “Away from Her” by Bob Mondello.
“Away From Her” is about a husband who watches his wife slowly slip away to Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve not seen the movie, and I probably never will (I seem to suffer an endless attention span for film reviews but little patience for films themselves). However, Bob’s review was so powerful that I don’t need to see the film to feel its effect.
As Fiona withdraws over months and months of visits, Christie’s eyes tell you less and less, until the moment when Grant sees her in a garish sweater he knows she’d never wear. And confronts her: Fiona, I’m your husband, Fiona it’s grant we’ve been married for 45 years. Look at me, Fiona. We had a good life together. Those are your words, Fiona, Not mine. (pause) That is not your sweater.
Fearful and confused, she pulls him into a corridor and looks pleadingly into his eyes: Please, don’t. Please please don’t. You’re very persistent arent’ you. We’ll see you again tomorrow I suppose? And she’s gone again Still there, but gone.
I’m not inclined to write for TV or radio, or watch movies it seems. But the reviews entertain me, and might even teach me a thing or two. In this case, Bob’s commentary adds emotional weight to what is already a powerful clip. I’d like to be able to do that with quotes.
If only I paid as much attention to the rest of the world as I do to film reviews. This is something I need to practice. My writing teacher gave us some tips on how to pay attention to a piece as a writer, but these ideas could just as well be applied to radio, tv, meals, concerts, any life experience:
Ask questions
- Am I interested?
- Does the this leave me wanting more?
- Does the story stimulate my approval? Confirm my opinion? Antagonise me? Why?
- Does the story ring true?
- Have I learned anything?
- Does it make me wonder what’s been left out?
- Who is this aimed at?
- Does it achieve its goals?
- Is the language suitable?
- Is there an assumption of knowledge?
Try and notice style devices
- Rhythms
- Words
- Phrases
- Similes and metaphors
- Puns
- Repetitions
- Images
Listen to Bob Mondello’s review of “Away from Her”
Read an interview with Bob Mondello in Seven Days
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