Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most.

"Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in." (Secondhand Lions)

What does "true" mean? Is it the same as "truth"? Can we make something come "true"?

I'm watching it too. I saw it a couple of years ago, and am enjoying just as much the second time.

It reminds me of taking a course in Epistemology ... and the dorm room discussions we had. (It was the 60s, of course.)

my favorite scene was the old guy teaching the young smart-ass a lesson - and the youngster learning it - :thumbsup:

but it's one that leaves you smiling. That's pretty rare these days when so many flicks are special effects extravaganzas that leave you feeling drained, like you just got off a very intense and very bad amusement park ride.

Duvall played it perfectly. He usually does.

Kyra Sedgewick sells it ... as always. Duvall is an all-time great. Michael Caine is directed just right.

but I'm a fan of the unsung Johnny Depp, too. :D

Almost any other actor that went as far out would fall on their face - make it look ludicrous - but Depp brings a in-depth and believable character to the role that's astonishing, imho. He does SUBTLE and NUANCED (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), he does romantic vagabond (Chocolat and Don Juan DeMarco), he does campy hero (Pirates of the Caribbean - he OWNS that franchise), he does solid protagonist (Finding Neverland), he does overcoming adversity (Edward Scissorhands) ... he does it all. His body of work is the most fascinatingly diversified I can think of.

I really admire TALENT, risk-taking, and hard work ... Depp, DeNiro, Duval, Penn, Whitaker ... but Depp is in a league of his own. He's unique. I though Nicholas Cage was diversified, but Depp is double Cage.

an incredible one of a kind.. Glad to know you think so too. Thanks for your eloquent post about him and what he brings to his characters.

Did you see him at the Academy Awards? Dark dyed hair (bangs) and chewing gum slouched in his seat. It was an incredible theatrical display...but he showed up...even though he's said he moved out of the US because he didn't want his kids to be part of the "culture." :rofl: ....I understood what he meant...but he still had the graciousness to show up...and a hope in his heart about the award.

What an incredible person/actor..

**

I have not seen the movie but it looks like will have to see it now. That is my personal philosophy to a tee.

true and truth, variations on the same abstract.

we most assuredly can make a thing come true - at least to ourselves. and if we're lucky, or extremely persuasive, or manipulative, or dealing with the naive/gullible, to others as well.

:silly:

true north. The pathway one should take as opposed to truth. The things he speaks of are the path you take for enlightenment or, perhaps happiness, in life.

Rather poorly elucidated, so I hope you get my point.

... NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP). Wading through the new-age-speak and pseudo-"scientific" language, it advocates opting for a "glass half full" interpretation of one's "world view" ... opining that the choices one makes are more affirmative and productive when assumptions/presumptions are "benefit of the doubt"-based.

In effect, there's a synergy (consistency) between such approaches and cognitive theraputic approaches. (When cynicism blinds us to beauty it stops serving us.) If we're fixated on the ditch, we tend to turn our personal steering wheel in that direction. If we can "keep our eye on the prize" then we're probably steering in a more affirmative direction.

I love that film. :)

and still the answer is elusive..

I think the answer morphs throughout life...and one eventually goes to one's death...not ever knowing.

But..I do know that without some sense of idealism...that society would be dead...because how could we go on without it.

And, that every "so many years" someone comes along "preaching hope" seems to get zillions believing it...seems to say..that "Hope Springs Eternal, in the Human Breast."

I'm gettin' cynical about this "hope thing.".. Must be time for my phase here to be getting time to close. :scared: I gotta be careful about those construction ladders, I keep walking under...and those "black cats that keep walking across my path."

The dvd is on my shelf; we watch it 2 or 3 times a year.

"Good morning students. Archaeology is the search for fact. Not truth. If it's truth you're interested in, Doctor Tyree's Philosophy class is right down the hall." -Indiana Jones

Truth is subjective depending on the life experiences of the individual. I don't think you can "make" something come true. It's probably already true depending on the person you are relating too. Indy summed it up best. Truth is a philosophy. Some people subscribe to some philosophy's and some to others. Religion is the perfect example. Christians believe Jesus was the son of god. If you ask one they will say that's the truth. Jews, believe that Jesus was a great Rabbi, a philosopher, a leader, but they don't believe that he was the son of god. To them that is the truth. Atheists believe they are all full of shit. Me? I'm somewhere in between...



BTW Great dissertation on Johnny Depp, upthread man, I couldn't agree more. If you watch a few of his films back to back the transformation of characters is astounding. Especially if you go from one end of the Depp spectrum to the other. A run like Cry Baby to Donnie Brasco to Pirates to Willie Wonka really shows the extent and flexability of his talent. He's like the Led Zeppelin of acting. He's broken so many barriers he's become un-classifiable. Genius.

I really like the above quote.

"True" isn't the same as "truth", at least in my heart. It's a direction to me. I can't even explain it.

In the meantime, I listened to U2's "God Part II" again, just to hear the line "I believe in love".

Julie