Mei is celebrating the onset of Spring.
And who can blame her?
I know it’s not officially spring until Sunday, but what the heck? We’re celebrating a little early. The snow has melted, it’s almost completely gone. I’m still nursing my back – it’s hard to find a comfortable position in which to sleep that doesn’t screw me up the next morning. And my sinuses are out of control with all the crazy weather extremes we’ve been having.
I think I’m going to see if BritBox has the first episode of the new season of Gardener’s World. That would be the perfect thing for me to watch today. I’m trying to keep busy while resting – if that makes any sense! I read a lot, I thumb through Instagram, I listen to music, and I get up and do the occasional chore that won’t involve lifting or pushing. It’s slowly getting better.
I wanted to say a few words about William Hurt – I didn’t know him, have never met him. But I was a huge fan of his work. The thing about William Hurt was that he almost always underplayed a scene (and that’s a compliment), did less than many less confident, less experienced, less ego-driven actors would do. He took the work very seriously and approached it with intelligence and honesty. Everything I ever saw him do rang completely true. If you didn’t know better, you’d think what he did was easy. It wasn’t. The last thing we saw him in was the excellent series Goliath starring Billy Bob Thornton. Hurt had a recurring role. In the final episode of the series, he appeared in a sort of dream sequence where he was on a train in the Old West, a train that was clearly taking people on to another plane of existence. His character was dying. That scene sticks in my mind, especially as he was clearly ill in real life when he shot it.
He was far too young to leave us. Rest in Peace.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
This is a lovely tribute to him, Claudia.
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Hello Claudia. I know you are ready for Spring in NY! I hope it does indeed come and you do not have to experience anymore snow.
I am a huge fan of William Hurt as well, so sad to see him gone so soon. I wanted to ask your opinion of his performance in Mr. Brooks with Kevin Costner. Have you seen the movie and if so, what would your review of his performance be? I am very curious to know if you are willing to share.
Have a lovely day! Feel better.
I didn’t see Mr. Brooks, Belinda. I’ll have to watch it!
Thank you.
Stay safe.
It is feeling like Spring here!! I’m enjoying the trees blooming even if it does a number on my allergies. I really admired William Hurt. One of favorite actors. I was so sad to hear of his passing way too soon. Such a talent and he will be missed. Hugs!
Yes, he left us too soon.
Thank you, Linda.
Stay safe.
I barely knew what happened to William Hurt; the news of his death has been so ‘buried’ (ugh, the bad word pun for this) in all the coverage of Ukraine and I guess television is more my main source of headlines because I have this ongoing headache which is making reading (the news) difficult. I felt instantly bad when my husband was online and told me of William Hurt’s passing; I too have liked most everything I’ve ever seen William Hurt do; just a terrific actor. Goes ‘way back with me, like to The Big Chill and Children of A Lesser God; Broadcast News, such popular/commercial movies of their day. Yes, taken so/too soon, and you described his art/skill so beautifully.
Sending more healing thoughts your way, that the back can get better sooner than later although sometimes these things do take their time.
I just DID take a moment to read more about William Hurt and, wow, who knew, he’d been sick for like four years and still working at his craft, as you say in your post; just never knew so much about his off-camera life as he didn’t do interviews on TV talk shows or I guess talk about himself much in magazine articles unless I just missed it all. He has a fairly extensive filmography but also the TV and stage work of which I was unaware.
Ah, and I’ve remembered when I first ‘noticed’ him: Body Heat. I couldn’t get enough of that movie at the time. Very early 1980s. It was a little gem of a film; moody; atmospheric. The soundtrack. You could really feel that heat and humidity of the Florida location. And everything else the movie made you feel. Like this element of risk as it unfolded; how William Hurt’s character was so completely taken by the Kathleen Turner character that he’d do any bad thing for her, no matter the cost to himself. And, first time I watched it, that ending scene with her was a real catcher. But I guess that’s what strikes me about William Hurt as I think on it/him, is the believability of his roles; I was never aware of an actor acting. (Probably doesn’t make sense. My head’s aching too much to know how to put down the right words!)
He started out in the theater. Went to Juilliard and trained there.
xo
Thank you Vicki. I hope your headache goes away!
Stay safe.
I was recovering from several surgeries for bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction surgeries when 1991’s The Doctor came out. At 40, I’d been diagnosed with the premenopausal, dominant-gene breast cancer that hit so many women in our family. I hadn’t let myself cry much because I didn’t want to frighten my girls, then 10 and 15. I cried through the entire movie, as it was such a catharsis. I’ve always been a fan of William Hurt’s.
Oh, man, Linda; what a time you’ve had; what you’ve been through. And so young. I will make sure I watch The Doctor again.
Bless you, Linda. You have been through so much!
Stay safe, Linda.
Makes me count my blessings and hope to leave a positive legacy.
Yesterday I saw the most beautiful crocus–subtle variations of intense purple. Springtime is not bashful about beauty!
Keep healing!
Oh, how lovely to see that crocus!
Stay safe, Roxie.
It just dawned on me. Watching gardening shows on TV is a great way to spend the day without having to be outside and deal with the allergies!
Yes!
Stay safe, Tana.
dear Claudia/Don — sure hope both of you soon recover your healthy status!! re: Myma used to always say ‘only the good die young’ (probably not her original saying) but is certainly right in many cases, i.e., she could not understand JFKs, Bobbys or MLKs deaths b/c they were all so young–she thought their lives still had lots of purpose and that we needed them here.
B/c of St. Patricks Day — one of my favorite sayings: “there are only two kinds of people in the world: the Irish and those who wish they were!!” stay safe/healthy
Thank you, Linda.
Stay safe.
I hope every day is a little better — and that you found Gardener’s World!
William Hurt, for some time, worked at the BoarsHead Theatre here in Lansing. He was a wonderful stage actor and never failed to disappoint in any film in which I saw him. I was so sorry to hear of his passing; it is a loss to theatre and film.
I did. I watched Gardener’s World yesterday. Made me quite happy!
I remember the BoarsHead!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Thanks for the reminder about William Hurt in Goliath. I will watch it.
You’re welcome, Kay!
Stay safe.