So I bought it. But it has been put on hold since the purchase. I knew maybe it would give me a different feeling, but I was so busy for some reason that I almost forgot about it. Until this morning when I had nothing to do, I suddenly remembered that it would be better to read the story of the cross street. So in the seemingly undisciplined rhythm, I was deeply touched by a gentle little poem.
I'm not good at writing movie and book reviews. I always don't know how to sort out my thoughts and express my feelings clearly. I'm afraid that my ambiguity will cast a shadow over the excellent works. But this film, the story of 84 Charing Cross, made me feel like I had to say something and write something, and I would be ashamed if I didn't. If I don't tell it, wake up the memory of those who know it, or tell people who don't know it at all, then I'm not a qualified viewer, let alone a lover of reading. In this world, what can be more regrettable than missing out with the simple and warm sharing?
I decided to talk about it, even if it was young.
The film "84 Charing Cross Street" is based on the autobiographical novel of American Jewish novelist Helenie Hanff. In the age of material poverty, the writer Helen was looking for spiritual sustenance in reading, but the bookstore in New York could not meet her needs, so the advertisement of a London used bookstore quickly attracted her. From then on, she, Frank, the director of the bookstore and all the staff, started a 20-year process of ordering books and buying books through letters, as well as spiritual and emotional exchanges. Especially between Helen and Frank, although they have never met, they are separated by thousands of miles, and their deep affection is inseparable. Whether it is the book review in ordinary life, or the unspeakable emotions contained in the letters, it gives people a strong sense of warmth and trust.
Not only that, the film also introduces and excerpts quite a few classic works, which undoubtedly makes it an excellent work for spreading and sharing ideas and culture. Those glittering words, some forgotten and some hidden, reappeared on the screen again, arousing the desire of modern people to read and taste them again. For example, the works of writers such as Walter Lando, John Dunn, Robert Stevenson, Wordsworth, Zeitz, etc., even in the distant past, can match our hearts and minds in this world. The tacit understanding that travels through time and space makes people cry. Thus, 84 Charing Cross reveals the greatest joys of existence. The joy of living-is it possible to have the spirit and motivation of sharing and disseminating knowledge and emotion between people, which is bland but extremely warm. What modern people lack most is this kind of spirit and motivation, so we feel lonely and cold.
We desperately need warm words, not pretentious, not with gorgeous packaging, or works with unknown interpersonal background. We need to be able to really step down and read ourselves and express it so that more people can read their own work. Moreover, we need a selfless and clean heart of sharing, as well as a spirit of communication that is responsible for ourselves and others. For our own sake and for the sake of this era, don't fall completely. Words are a symbol of an era. How much sincerity has passed through our words and how much precious simplicity has been forgotten. We have lost the ability to innocence, and what is even more terrifying is the loss of the ability to look back on the innocence of the past. So we all need to read and write ourselves.
After so many years, Helen's "84 Charing Cross Street" is still widely disseminated, translated into more than a dozen languages, and made into radio shows, stage plays and movies. How many people, regardless of nationality, gender or age, have been deeply moved and inspired by it. And this address has also become a secret code among book lovers around the world. For more than 30 years, people have read it, acted it, and shared the richness and warmth of life in this legend. Every year, book lovers from all over the world make a pilgrimage to London's Charing Cross Street, which is exactly what the author said: If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Street, give me a kiss. We need this divine kiss, free of any impurities.
Unconsciously, I felt very warm. When a kind of sadness has turned into warmth, I know that this transformation is a touch and praise for the supreme wisdom and good wishes of human beings. It made me understand why we read, why we keep reading and writing. As John Dunn said: Life is a book. Everyone is a chapter. And death does not rip out that chapter, but translates it into another language. God has many translators, some through age, some through war, and some through disease, to read and interpret each person's chapters again. And in the end the pieces of us will be pieced together into a book that will show each other to everyone.
That’s what reading is about, and it’s the fundamental driving force for dissemination and sharing. Interpreting ourselves, comprehending others, and continuing our true life from it, this is a lesson that we cannot give up in our whole life.
View more about 84 Charing Cross Road reviews
