Yes!! I also saw an early screening and was enthralled. I want to watch again just to soak in how dense the script is with her own writing. Our main takeaway was "I'm not sure how well most people will appreciate it (like Flannery's own stories!) but Ethan Hawke gave us such a gift in making a movie that takes its main character's faith so seriously." And by seriously I mean also capturing the agony, the doubts, the hypocrisy and flaws and self-awareness of those flaws in living out her faith. Ugh, so good.
You better believe I am SO STOKED to see this film, and even more relieved to hear you liked it! Phew. ...I just finished teaching Wise Blood + two of her short stories to my high school students, and I loved how much they loved her.
My love for Flannery was also cultivated by Friday afternoons in Dr Wood’s independent study class. He was such a generous man with his time, and like you said, how much he invested in undergraduate students.
Do you know how this film will be available to watch?
Does the film include a scene at some swanky party, where Flannery finds herself with little to say until late that evening when talk turns to religion and she puts the famous yet lapsed Catholic author Mary McCarthy in her place responding to disparaging remarks about the Eucharist by piping up, “Well if it’s a symbol, to Hell with it!” If so, I want to see it. That’s a statement I most admire Flannery for - simply said, yet incredibly brave of her to say & brilliantly illuminating all at once.
After having this movie on my radar screen since first hearing of it, I finally watched it yesterday. Worth every “bright, shiny penny” it cost to stream.
I appreciate quality literature and authors, but am woefully ignorant about both. What extremely little I knew, or thought so knew, about FO was that she was a “southern Gothic” writer (whatever that means) and Catholic. As an atheist (and a “Northern” one at that), I wasn’t too interested.
That she was sick with lupus for many years, and died at 39, did interest me.
I was blown away with admiration for the movie, the actress who portrayed her, and for her, herself.
I’m so curious about this movie. But definitely have to dig more into Flannery’s works before I give it a go. I’ve taught a few of her short stories but haven’t read more yet. Time to rectify that!
I just came across your newsletter on Substack. Flannery O'Connor is a favorite writer of mine. I did not know about the film. I have preordered the book, Women of the Catholic Imagination. Thanks!
Yes!! I also saw an early screening and was enthralled. I want to watch again just to soak in how dense the script is with her own writing. Our main takeaway was "I'm not sure how well most people will appreciate it (like Flannery's own stories!) but Ethan Hawke gave us such a gift in making a movie that takes its main character's faith so seriously." And by seriously I mean also capturing the agony, the doubts, the hypocrisy and flaws and self-awareness of those flaws in living out her faith. Ugh, so good.
You better believe I am SO STOKED to see this film, and even more relieved to hear you liked it! Phew. ...I just finished teaching Wise Blood + two of her short stories to my high school students, and I loved how much they loved her.
My love for Flannery was also cultivated by Friday afternoons in Dr Wood’s independent study class. He was such a generous man with his time, and like you said, how much he invested in undergraduate students.
Do you know how this film will be available to watch?
It will be in theatres in some places! I would look up showtimes on the film’s website to see if it’s playing near you.
I don’t get to the theater much these days, but I might have to try for this!
Does the film include a scene at some swanky party, where Flannery finds herself with little to say until late that evening when talk turns to religion and she puts the famous yet lapsed Catholic author Mary McCarthy in her place responding to disparaging remarks about the Eucharist by piping up, “Well if it’s a symbol, to Hell with it!” If so, I want to see it. That’s a statement I most admire Flannery for - simply said, yet incredibly brave of her to say & brilliantly illuminating all at once.
It actually does happen in the film! Except FOC is responding to a different character when she offers that epic line about the Eucharist.
YES! I can’t wait.
This is exciting!!! Can't wait to see it!
How interesting: I also studied O’Connor and Percy with Ralph Wood (but as a grad student)! Baylor? Or Wake Forest?
Baylor!
Likewise. Sic ‘em bears!
I was intrigued when I heard the podcast interview, and I’m so glad it measured up to expectations!
Delighted to read a review of this film from someone whose opinion on the matter I trust.
Well, I'm going to have a find a theater and a time for me and the boys to go see this movie.
I'm so glad to read this! I've been nervous too!
Oh hooray!! I’ve been looking forward to this film ever since I heard about it, but I’ve been nervous about it as well. Now I’m just plain excited!!
Flannery Lover's and readers check this out:
https://lydwine.substack.com/p/beyond-the-bedside-summa
After having this movie on my radar screen since first hearing of it, I finally watched it yesterday. Worth every “bright, shiny penny” it cost to stream.
I appreciate quality literature and authors, but am woefully ignorant about both. What extremely little I knew, or thought so knew, about FO was that she was a “southern Gothic” writer (whatever that means) and Catholic. As an atheist (and a “Northern” one at that), I wasn’t too interested.
That she was sick with lupus for many years, and died at 39, did interest me.
I was blown away with admiration for the movie, the actress who portrayed her, and for her, herself.
Pete
I’m so curious about this movie. But definitely have to dig more into Flannery’s works before I give it a go. I’ve taught a few of her short stories but haven’t read more yet. Time to rectify that!
I just came across your newsletter on Substack. Flannery O'Connor is a favorite writer of mine. I did not know about the film. I have preordered the book, Women of the Catholic Imagination. Thanks!