Bonzer Words!: A Trip to the Pictures*
Elaine Lutton takes the family to see a film while grandfather snoozes.
Elaine writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please visit www.bonzer.org.au
The Saturday is cool and miserable with intermittent showers. My daughter Tamara is visiting with Joseph four years and Marcus two years whilst their father Bill plays golf in the rain. My husband, henceforth referred to as Poor Poorly Poppy is very sensibly under the doona from whence he has no intention of emerging.
Tamara quietly suggests that we might take the children to the cinema to see the kids' film Robots. I must admit I'm not keen for a number of reasons, mainly centring around Marcus whom I think is far too young and will either fall asleep, get frightened, become bored or find some other two-year-old fashion to create mayhem.
However I do not want to be the killjoy and I can see that two adults would be a good idea so I agree to go along. Marcus goes for an early sleep in order to be alert for his very first film, Joseph finds Uncle Simon's Lego that he had when he was a boy and all is peace.
Finally it's time to go. Farewell pats for P.P.P. and into the car. Both boys sing 'To the pictures, to the pictures, to the pictures.' I wonder what is going on in Marcus's head since he has not a clue as to what to anticipate; Joseph is an old hand since his father took him to Finding Nemo.
First, we get the tickets, Marcus is free being two, then both boys are shepherded into the toilets to "try". Marcus is congratulated on a splendid stand-up wee. Tamara settles the boys at the back where they can see well but not disturb others and I am sent out for popcorn; this will be the full experience!
The film begins. I will not describe the film in detail except to say it is full of action and family values. Most of the time Marcus is glued to the screen supporting himself by hugging the seat in front. If things get too scary there is always his mother. By his commentary he has no difficulty sorting the 'goodies' from the 'baddies''. Joseph loves the full-on action fights to which he joins in enthusiastically. Both on screen and off screen duels are equally noisy.
Ninety minutes later and Good has triumphed over Evil, parental belief in robot son has been vindicated, Robot City has been saved, and father's dishwasher parts have been changed for trumpet parts not to mention a full brass band to celebrate.
When we arrive home the boys cannot wait to wake P.P.P. with lots of very loving pats and give him a complete rerun of the film, both sound and action, and tell him how sorry they were he had missed out, as I believe he is.
*US readers: for 'pictures' read 'movies'.
© Elaine Lutton
