Still Breathing

Sunday, July 18, 2010

If my weekend thoughts about the infamous Formosa Cafe hit home at all, take a little gander at this indie film that still hits me right in the heart.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Still_breathing_1997_film.jpg
It was released the exact same year I moved to L.A. from Arizona. Much of the plot takes place in the infamous Formosa Cafe, and it was so relatable to me at the time, that I must have watched it a hundred times. Oh, it's cheese-tastic in all the right ways, but so heartfelt, moving, funny and fun.

It's the story of "two lost souls: she a con-artist in L.A.; he a puppeteer in San Antonio have the same dream linking each with the other. He travels to L.A. to find this woman he has become obsessed with. She resists, afraid of his kooky ideas until she travels with him to San Antonio and meets his wise grandmother - two disparate people linked by "fate."

I have to get it on DVD, as it's definitely one to own. It truly gets me every time. It's one of those rare gems in screenwriting, reminiscent of the old black and white classics - focused on relationships, wonder, romance and dreams, and I'm constantly amazed that all of the good ones like this continue to go unmade.

The end scene and quote is breathtaking... and I dedicate it to all my single ladies:

"There are two things I always wanted to believe in, but didn't dare: One, is that there is one man, somewhere, who is made just for me. The other is that I just might...deserve him."

Click here for a beautiful snippet of the ending... then go rent it!