Posted by Hello sweaty England! It’s hot here, though I’m not going to complain, by the time this gets out to everyone it’ll be pissing it down again!
Earlier this week I went to watch Inside Out 2 with the OddDaughter on our now accustomed daddy-daughter-date. The title of this post includes review, but who am I kidding? These days I don’t review, I just ramble – and that suits me just fine. So if you’re looking for a detailed analysis of the movie – then go to a professional. I’m just a guy with too much time on his hands, deciding to use this as a platform to get my thoughts out to keep me from going crazy.
The OddDaughter and I watched the first Inside Out again over the last few weeks and I have to say I forgot just how much of a superb movie it was. It always brings me to tears. Yes. I’m a crier, ok? It doesn’t take much – even the scenes of Anakin Skywalker mauling “younglings” gets me in a state.
So, I was fully expecting to cry during this movie. I mean, it appears Roy Keane was brought to tears when he went to watch it with Ian Wright – and if something can get Keane to cry, I had no chance!
Yet… I didn’t cry. I really didn’t cry. Is there something wrong with me? Am I changing? Am I losing a part of who I am? Would somebody just please make me cry?!!!
Maybe I’ve just become numb to all the shit going on in the world. That’s right… I’m looking at you Israel. #FreePalestine
But in my pain at not crying, I noticed something quite remarkable. The OddDaughter was wiping away tears. This 4 year old who barely understood what was happening through most of the movie was wiping away tears and cuddled me that little bit tighter. That moment I hugged her and felt so proud of her for being so in touch with her emotions.
I’ve got to say watching the girl protagonist of the movie, Riley, grow up over the course of the two Inside Out movies really made me not look forward to the OddDaughter being a teenager. She’s just such a free spirit at the moment – which she no doubt gets from her mum – and I just hope she continues being the amazing little girl I’ve always known her to be. I’m sure she will.
The first Inside Out is certainly the far superior movie – I found myself a little sleepy in the middle of this sequel. Though that may have nothing to do with the movie. I enjoyed the themes of anxiety and the way it all comes together at the end. Even if it didn’t make me cry.
It got me thinking a lot about my own emotions over the last few months. Work hadn’t been great and really brought me down. And the moment I have a new opportunity and the stress eased, I realise I’m going to be without the kids for a month very soon when they go visit Australia with Mrs OddFather. I’m going to miss them so much – it may seem minor but even a day without seeing them can be so heavy. What it means is I just feel there’s no real break in emotions wearing me down. But I guess that’s what life is about when you care about some things so much… And here come the waterworks…
Good job I have humour to hide behind!
Peace out!