Airplane! is my Washington
My Mount Rushmore of Movies
So yesterday I took a poll with my family. And the results of the poll were unanimous. According to my family, Airplane! is my favorite movie of all time. I’m not sure what spurred this question and led me down this thought path, but I started thinking about what I would choose for my Mount Rushmore of movies. What would be my top four? So here we go. We have clearance, Clarence. Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?
Everyone Knows My Washington
Not a surprise, everyone got my favorite movie right. As long as I can remember, this was the one movie I could watch over and over and over while obnoxiously quoting every line. Enough to where Jill will no longer watch it with me. Enough to where I’m lucky to get an eye roll from my kids when I quote or make references to it. So the George Washington of my Rushmore - Airplane!
Then There’s Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln
Here are the next three on my list: The Jerk, A Few Good Men, and Apollo 13. Jill got these. The kids had a little more trouble. But as I was thinking about these movies that I see over and over, I wonder what it is about them that draws me to them. And what do these choices say about me? I have some ideas. Not sure if these are insights or justifications. Either way, here’s what I’m thinking my choices say about me. And I think it fits with Gutzon Borglum’s reason for choosing these four men for his monument.
The Borglum Four
According to the MR NPS website, this is why Borglum selected these for men to represent significant eras of American history. Washington (representing our nation’s birth), Jefferson (representing our nation’s growth), Roosevelt (representing our nation’s development), and Lincoln (representing our nation’s preservation). So let me take some liberty here to represent the significance of my four favorite movies in my personal history.
“I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley!”
Birth: Airplane! (birth) What draws me to this movie is that it taught me that we can find humor in the mundanity of everyday life. Humor is everywhere. We can’t take anything, especially ourselves, too seriously. Airplane! gives us permission to laugh and be silly. I think this might have been the “birth” of my personality and outlook on life. Love it. Enjoy it. And try to help others enjoy it.
“The new phonebook’s here!”
Growth: The Jerk (growth). Okay, now this might be a stretch but hear me out. This is a fun movie, but what I find most captivating is the brilliance the man behind the movie. Steve Martin is by far my favorite comedian and actor. There is so much that I love about him like his demeanor, mannerisms, and delivery. But I really just like him and the characters he creates. I’ve often said that when I grow up, I want to be like him. Looking back to that movie, I love how his character Navin R. Johnson continually faces obstacles with resilience, determination, optimism, and joy. And this is the growth of the hero’s journey. What a great lesson!
“I want the truth!”
Development: A Few Good Men (development). This is a favorite of mine that builds gradually to the powerful courtroom scene where Lieutenant Kaffee has Colonel Jessup on the stand. David versus Goliath. The underdog versus the champion. It’s a story where the little guy prevails because of his gradual transformation and newfound strength and courage. And because of this courage, he can face one of the most powerful men in the military. The whole movie has the feel that his adversary is too big and the risk is too great. But Kaffee has done his work, he has prepared, and he goes all in. He can handle the truth.
“I believe this is going to be our finest hour.”
Preservation: Apollo 13 (preservation). Lincoln was a symbol of preservation amidst chaos and disorder. How fitting a thought for my next favorite movie. It seems EVERYTHING is going wrong and there. I love how Flight Director Gene Kranz responds to the statement that “this could be the worst disaster NASA has ever experienced.” Everyone knew the consequences of failure, but his focus was on survival. Relentless effort to complete the mission with no loss of life. Where others saw a potential for the “worst disaster,” Kranz saw the potential for the “finest hour.” The same holds for Lincoln and the nation. And the same can hold true for each of us.
Your Washington is Talking
So take a poll. See if people can name your favorite movie(s). Then think about your movie(s) and ask yourself, “what is the message? What is the lesson?” I’m good with Airplane! being at the top of my list. It makes a pretty good Washington, because that’s where it all began for me.
Good luck! We’re all counting on you.
Enjoy the day!
