My Mom Had to Look up "Homosexual" at the Library
Added 2015-12-31 08:18:04 +0000 UTCYou have no doubt seen Jack in dozens of roles already, whether it's as Barrett on Ellen or as an alien in a milk commercial. But one of my favorite characters is a nervous little twink in the movie Gods and Monsters.
The film is based on the true story of James Whale, the openly gay director of early horror films including the original Frankenstein movies. Ian McKellan plays Whale, and in one scene, Jack plays Edmund Kay, a fan who has come to interview him in his retirement. Whale agrees to answer one question for each article of clothing that Edmund removes. Edmund's a little reluctant at first, but the lure of the past is just too strong to resist, in soon he's stripping down.
The lure of the past has a hold on the James Whale character as well, with the shadows of his work and war looming larger and larger as he's overcome by old age. There are monsters chasing him, and eventually, they catch up.
History is a magnet, a constant invisible tug of memories both happy and sad.
The role of a storyteller is not just to explore the past, but to excavate, inspect, and return to the present. Not to live in memories, but to polish them and display them. To show the world, "this was a triumph," or "this is what hurt."
We all have memories and music and movies that make us happy to dwell in. The important thing is not just to hold those memories and music and movies that we've loved, but to carry them forward, and let them evolve, and occasionally set them aside.
As gay science fiction writer David Gaider once wrote, "I have memories, but only a fool stores his past in the future."
Here's Jack in various appearances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-umLyfTWEl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s_EWjNNgWg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3JEro6LAFU
And some of his favorite influences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-tAyQAS6JY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LdIL5WCso8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW0DfsCzfq4
