One Life Movie Review

One of my favorite quotes from within my faith is as follows:

For anybody who destroys a single life it is counted as if they destroyed an entire world, and for anybody who preserves a single life it is counted as if they preserved an entire world.

In the days leading up to World War II, Sir Nicholas Winton saved 669 worlds. His story is told in the new movie, One Life. The film starts in 1988. The now-retired Winton (Anthony Hopkins) has been tasked by his wife Grete (Lena Olin) to clean out their house to prepare for their soon-to-be grandchild. Among the pieces he is considering getting rid of is an old leather briefcase.

It then flashes back to 1938. The young Nicky (Johnny Flynn) is a stockbroker living a comfortable life in England with his widowed mother Babi (Helena Bonham Carter). Instead of just resting on his laurels, Nicky decides to do something. Visiting Prague and seeing the substandard living that the refugees are dealing with, he steps up. Working with colleagues Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) and Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharp), their goal is to get as many children to safety in England as possible.

Half a century later, Nicky is still dealing with the grief of those whom he could not save when the television show That’s Life! comes calling.

As anyone who has read this blog knows, this topic is not unknown to me. This film blew me away. The performances blew me out of the water. Hopkins and Flynn, as Winton at different ages, are a perfect mirror image of one another.

A fact that I found interesting is that his parents were German Jews who changed their name, their nationality, and their religion. Their fate might have been very different had they made other choices.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

One Life is presently in theaters.

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules Book Review

The romance genre has a narrative that we are all familiar with. Our lovers meet, there is the build-up to the big moment, the breakup, and finally, the happily ever after. While this format is tried and true, it can also be a bit boring.

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules, by Suzanne Allain, was published in January. After a brief and unhappy marriage, Diana Boyle has no desire to remarry. Given the many fortune hunters who seek to wed for money alone, she would prefer to remain a widow for the rest of her life.

After two strange men come calling, Diana discovers that she is listed in a directory of wealthy and single women. Justifiably angry, she discovers the man who is responsible for her unwanted visitors.

Maxwell Dean is the younger son of an aristocrat. Like all men in his situation, he is living on a limited income and must marry a woman of means. Despite her attraction to him, she is not exactly pleased that her information has become public.

Joining together with other women in the book, they band together to prevent one of their own from being taken advantage of. Instead of getting angry, they decide to turn the standard gender norms on its head.

I’ve been a fan of Allain for a few years. Just when I think she has outdone herself, she surprises me. Though the story arc is not new, Allain’s tale is exciting, different, and absolutely wonderful.

For my fellow Jane Austen fans, there is a Mr. Collins-type character that surprised me. I thought I knew who he was. Without spoiling for those who have not read it, there was no way for me to even predict where Allain took him. It was brilliant.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is available wherever books are sold.

Moving Out of My Parents House Was One of The Best Decisions I’ve Ever Made

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

Growing up only truly happens when you are in a new situation that is out of your comfort zone.