Talkin' Bout My Generation

The passing of director Robert Altman is terribly sad, not just because we've lost one of the greatest directors of the last thirty years, if not ever, but also because it really illustrates the sea change between our generation and the one that is, with Altman's death, apparently dying out. For instance, let's take a look at some of the eulogies given by some of Altman's "Prairie Home Companion" cast members. From Meryl Streep:

“Bob's restless spirit has moved on -- I have to say, when I spoke with him last week, he seemed impatient for the future. He still had the generous, optimistic appetite for the next thing, and we planned the next film laughing in anticipation of the laughs we'd have. What a gent, what a guy, what a great heart. There's no one like him and we'll miss him so.

From Garrison Keillor:

“Mr. Altman loved making movies. He loved the chaos of shooting and the sociability of the crew and actors --- he adored actors --- and he loved the editing room and he especially loved sitting in a screening room and watching the thing over and over with other people. He didn't care for the money end of things, he didn't mind doing publicity, but when he was working he was in heaven.

He and I once talked about making a movie about a man coming back to Lake Wobegon to bury his father, and Mr. Altman said, "The death of an old man is not a tragedy." I used that line in the movie we wound up making --- the Angel of Death says it to the Lunch Lady, comforting her on the death of her lover Chuck Akers in his dressing room, "“The death of an old man is not a tragedy."” Mr. Altman's death seems so honorable and righteous --- to go in full-flight, doing what you love --- like his comrades in the Army Air Force in WWII who got shot out of the sky and simply vanished into blue air --- and all of us who worked with him had the great privilege of seeing an 81-year-old guy doing what he loved to do. IÂ’m sorry that our movie turned out to be his last, but I do know that he loved making it. It's a great thing to be 81 and in love."

And finally:

"I would like to send my condolences out to Catherine Altman, Robert Altmans wife, as well as all of his immediate family, close friends, co-workers, and all of his inner circle.

"I feel as if I've just had the wind knocked out of me and my heart aches.

"If not only my heart but the heart of Mr. Altman's wife and family and many fellow actors/artists that admire him for his work and love him for making people laugh whenever and however he could..

"Robert altman made dreams possible for many independent aspiring filmmakers, as well as creating roles for countless actors.

"I am lucky enough to of been able to work with Robert Altman amongst the other greats on a film that I can genuinely say created a turning point in my career.

"I learned so much from Altman and he was the closest thing to my father and grandfather that I really do believe I've had in several years.

"The point is, he made a difference.

"He left us with a legend that all of us have the ability to do.

"So every day when you wake up.

"Look in the mirror and thank god for every second you have and cherish all moments.

"The fighting, the anger, the drama is tedious.

"Please just take each moment day by day and consider yourself lucky to breathe and feel at all and smile. Be thankful.

"Life comes once, doesn't 'keep coming back' and we all take such advantage of what we have.

"When we shouldn't..... '

"Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of yourselves' (12st book) -everytime there's a triumph in the world a million souls hafta be trampled on.-altman Its true. But treasure each triumph as they come.

"If I can do anything for those who are in a very hard time right now, as I'm one of them with hearing this news, please take advantage of the fact that I'm just a phone call away.

God Bless, peace and love always.

Thank You,

"BE ADEQUITE"

Lindsay Lohan

Okay. I understand that Lindsay Lohan was probably upset when she wrote this, and that she's probably not the best example to hold up of the writing skills of the early 20s set, having gotten most of her education on film sets and in the bathroom at Butter. But still, wow. Even if she had spelled adequate correctly, I still have no idea what that would mean. It's like the cryptic slogan serial killers sign off with. Reading what Keillor and Streep wrote, I cried for Altman; reading Lohan just made me cry for my generation. Kids spend so much time writing in this James Joyce - MySpace stlye stream of conciousness that they never take the time to actually sit back and read, to learn what actual writing is.

And yes, I understand the inherent hypocrisy in the fact that I'm writing this in a blog. I'm sorry.

(Streep and Keillor via Ain't It Cool; Lohan via USA Today)