Inspired by Fiction, Maybe?

This is a subject I have contemplated for years. While I recognize the limitations of my communication skills, I believe the topic merits serious consideration. I hope you’ll focus on the significance of the subject matter itself rather than the delivery.

In 1991, John Grisham wrote “The Firm,” a bestselling novel. I haven’t read the book myself, but I did see the film adaptation. While I initially found it mediocre, I was impressed by one element: the clever use of mail fraud as the mechanism to dismantle the firm and secure the protagonist’s freedom. Though I’m skeptical such a scheme would succeed in reality, the execution was undeniably sophisticated.

I suspect most readers have already seen the movie, so I won’t recap the film or its major plot points here. If you haven’t seen it, I’d recommend it as one of the few modern movies worth watching—primarily for its substance rather than its entertainment value.

I’d like to draw your attention to the Cayman Islands trip and Mitch’s encounter with the prostitute. Initially, I found this part distasteful. Upon reflection, however, I recognize its insight. By leveraging the prostitute and photographs, the firm effectively gained complete control over Mitch.

Nowadays, I notice a recurring pattern: reality seems to mirror a familiar narrative. A prominent figure enjoys the trappings of fame, power, and fortune, cruising along without concern. Then one misstep—upsetting the wrong person or crossing an invisible line—and their world collapses around them.

Oddly, accusations seem to come pouring down out of nowhere like a rainstorm. Whether guilty or not, a person’s life is instantly—if not immediately—destroyed.

I would name those I’m referring to, but it would be futile. If you’ve been following the news, you already know. Today, living a blameless life isn’t enough—you must be able to prove it quickly. Even then, that may not suffice.

They Used to Make Movies There

That’s right. They made dozens of them each every year. Nowadays, not so much. They go to Atlanta; they go to Canada. They used to make good movies in Hollywood. They made many good movies there. I know. I used to go to them and watch them. However, the price seemed to keep going up as the quality kept going down.

I don’t even remember the last time time I saw any movie made for the theater. I have seen a few on TV. Since I had cable taken out, I can’t even remember seeing any of them. They no longer make any good movies in Hollywood. Nowadays, during Oscar night, they have problems finding five nominees worth an Oscar.

It doesn’t surprise me any. It has gotten too expensive. Consider, all the movie stars demanding their millions. Consider, the unions, demanding their cuts. I mean the pies are only so big.

Consider, the old plots can only be dragged through the ringer so many times. I mean, Superman is no longer so super. How many spidermen can we have before the NY, NY has too many webs hanging around.

Then too. There are too many folks afraid of offending too many folks. They tried the one remake of Red Dawn using China as the foe. That got changed quickly when China objected. I can’t remember what that one movie was that, who was it, I think Sony sued the studio. I’m not sure if we could do a remake of the gangsters without making some of their descendants upset. I mean, we would never want to upset the grand, grand child of Al Capone.

The thing is, why make the movies in Hollywood at all anymore. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was made, I think, in Italy. We don’t need film anymore and the cameras are far less expensive… as well as the projectors. Who knows, a group of kids with an inspiration, a little talent and a little help could make something that would put Hollywood to shame, and they just might do it in Gallup, NM., or Flagstaff, Arizona.

And, per chance, they just might do it without one union member.