So recently I watched the move Pitch Perfect. Staring Anna
Kendrick and Rebel Wilson (she was the awful roommate in Bridesmaids). I loved
it. I thought it was funny and edgy in places and of course there was a lot of
singing.
And as I was watching it I thought to myself I think a woman
must be directing this. Or part of it somehow, because there were just some
lines that I thought were so funny that I didn’t feel like a man would
understand. Elizabeth Banks provides sideline commentary during the acapella
competitions that while funny is also a wink to women everywhere who know that
while what she is saying is wrong, it’s also very truthful. After watching the
credits I learned it was in fact written by a woman and I thought she might
make a great NA writer.
Because of course there is a romantic element too. Anna
Kendrick’s character has suffered as a result of her parent’s divorce. Her relationship
with her father is strained. She doesn’t want to be at college, she would rather
be working in music. So when she meets the funny, charming nice guy, she really
doesn’t know what to do with him.
Now I would say there is probably 95% less angst in this
movie than other NA books that are out there, but the premise is the same.
Young girl starting her adult life with all her childhood history behind her
and falling in love while doing it.
In this case it worked for me. But again that might have had
a lot to do with the singing and lines like.. “Aca’Scuse me?”
But the trick with NA is believing in the HEA. Of course it’s
not inconceivable to think Becca and Jesse will stay together all through
college, get married and live happily ever after. But the reality is a couple
who meet their freshman year probably won’t. So if I’m going to buy into NA
anything as it relates to romance the trick is going to have to be letting the
story end and freezing them in that moment and in that time.
I haven’t read an NA book, I’ve been reluctant to try
because I didn’t know I would react to that HEA element of it, but if I can be
so pleased with this movie maybe there is a chance for me and NA yet?
