story of a life

This is a movie I can watch again and again (one of the few), and it feels fresh each time. It manages, in a short amount of time to flesh out so many characters. As the misfits of the town are drawn to the farm and join Antonia's family, they find their full potential-- men and women alike.

I think it is wonderful how seamlessly the characters age, and how the living of their lives reflects the reoccuring theme of the passing of time and seasons. The lovely score reinforces this so well, the main theme is such a good representation of Antonia. It starts out as a simple, folky melody on a humble accordion, until the theme is suddenly swept up by a whole orchestra... the simple days of this woman's life being transformed into something glorious.

As Antonia walks the plowed fields, throwing seeds from her bowl, she almost seems like a goddess, maybe Demeter who oversees agriculture. Her family line are like the muses-- Danielle, art; Therese, logic; Sarah-- hints at a love of writing or poetry. They do not judge the people who the rest of the world have turned away, they offer love and acceptance. It is a good lesson to those of us Christians who offer only condemnation to those souls who need charity and understanding.