Laundry? No Thanks. I'll Be At The Movies.

Over the weekend, I went to see the movie Manchester By the Sea with Casey Affleck. It was spontaneous and worth every minute. I cried and laughed and loved the way I connected to the film. The writer and director, Kenneth Lonergan, did a remarkable job introducing the rawness of grief, especially how different the experience can be for everyone. It hit home for me on a personal level, reminding me how much easier it can be to escape everything. The movie also got me thinking about the importance of film and television in today’s society, and how they both have the power to transport, enlighten—and heal.  

Like so many of us, it’s easy to binge watch something great on Netflix or HBO . . . or Showtime (even though Noah Solloway bugs the shit out of me), and feel completely refreshed—or guilty for ‘wasting’ the day away. I thought about this after watching Casey Affleck come unglued in Manchester By the Sea. He experienced a horrific loss, yet underneath every layer, was something significant for someone to ­connect to. Everything about it was genuine and really, really funny, making it even better.

I can say the same for the new hit show This Is Us, as well as Black-ish and Modern Family, all of which lend different perspectives on important social issues while pushing viewers to dig a little deeper. I’d say this is far from unproductive—and outdoes a load of laundry and clean dishes any day!

Now more than ever, film and television have the power and influence to shape our society, or at least get us thinking and understanding on a deeper level. I say next time you want to ditch the house cleaning for a few hours of Westworld, go for it! The to-do list will still be there.