Micah has always had a passion for movies. It’s a rare day when he doesn’t talk about some character or scene or song from a soundtrack. He especially enjoys talking about actors. Tom Holland, the latest SpiderMan, is a recent favorite, not to mention the late Chadwick Boseman, who played the main character in the first Black Panther film (Micah always speaks about him in sad tones). Most recently, I hear a lot about Ryan Gosling (Ken from last year’s, Barbie), who is one of my favorites as well.
We have this game we play (Micah’s invention) where we brainstorm for actors who would be perfect in live action editions of animated movies—think Beauty and the Beast or The Little Mermaid. I must admit, it’s rather enjoyable. Last week, as I was driving Micah to his afternoon theater classes at Trollwood’s Performing Arts School, a song from the Disney movie, Princess and the Frog, came on called, Almost There. Just the prompt we needed to start our little game.
“Wouldn’t it be great if The Princess and the Frog was made into a live action movie, Micah?” I asked.
“Yeah!” he agreed, looking up from his phone. “Mom, who do you think would be good to play the role of Prince Naveen?”
“Hmmm,” I pondered, immediately thinking Tom Cruise. Nope, too old. “Maybe that actor from the Elvis movie?” I offered.
“Well, remember, he has brown skin, Mom. I think Michael B. Jordan would be better, don’t you?”
“Oh, I can totally see that!”
We continued, matching nearly all the characters with various real-life performers. I’m always amazed at how many actors he can name that I’ve never heard of. Perhaps a career as a casting director is in his future?
There are also times when Micah initiates what I like to call, “The Emotional Rollercoaster Game.” It’s quite simple really. He just asks me what movies I think are like an emotional rollercoaster. As usual, he can come up with many examples like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, or Sea Biscuit. A couple weekends ago, we went to a local theater to see IF, a new fantasy film about imaginary friends. Afterward, on our way to the car, we agreed it qualified as well. After all, I was desperately searching my purse for tissue at the end.
A few days ago, I couldn’t help but think back to this phrase–emotional rollercoaster–because lately my life sure seems to feel like one. Summer break is here, and suddenly there is a new schedule that involves driving Micah to a new part-time job and then to performing arts classes in the afternoons. These are both wonderful opportunities for him, despite my constant low-level anxiety wondering how he’s doing managing his t1d. In addition, there are myriad medical and therapy appointments, multiple weddings to attend, and the constant packing up of clothes and food to get to the lake on the weekends. As with most summers, life becomes busier with time whisking by at lightning speed, often wreaking havoc on my emotions. Certainly, I know I’m not the only parent out there who feels like this.
“Micah, do you feel like your life is an emotional rollercoaster sometimes?” I asked him last Friday as we drove home from Trollwood.
“Yeah, Mom,” he piped up. “Like when I auditioned for Beauty and the Beast and I didn’t get the Beast role. I was pretty sad.”
“Oh, I remember,” I agreed. “But just think of all the shows and opportunities you’ve had since then to play other characters. You’ve done very well!”
“I know, Mom. But you’ll keep your eye open for another Beauty and the Beast play for me to be the Beast in, won’t you? Then I can reunite the cast and we can have a big party at our house!”
“Yes, of course I will, Micah.” What else could I say? Perhaps someday that dream really will come true for him.
Coincidentally, there is a new animated movie about emotions coming out this weekend. It’s called, Inside Out 2. Micah is beyond excited about this sequel; the first one came out nine years ago and has become a top-five favorite of his. I admit, I’m looking forward to it too; perhaps we’ll learn something useful about handling challenging emotions. But even if we don’t, I suspect we’ll still be delightfully entertained by the five new characters: anxiety, envy, nostalgia, Ennui (boredom), and embarrassment. And, of course, it will become fodder for more of Micah’s movie game inventions.