Some movies have a large cast of characters. Some have only an intimate few. It all depends on the story the writers want to tell.
This is one thing movies get right when trying to be true to life. In real life, families can be large or small. Neither is better; we’re still family. It’s just that some families need more chairs at the dinner table.
I’ve often wondered how writers come up with the names for the characters in their books and movies. My husband has written short stories, and he doesn’t seem to mull over the character names; they just come to him as if that is a natural part of storytelling. Is that normal?
That certainly doesn’t seem to be “the norm” for real life. Some parents start thinking about baby names almost as soon as they find out they are expecting. They mull it over, talk to family and friends, politely listen to all the suggestions, and then make a final decision.
The movies make it seem so easy! “What do you want to name her?” “How about [insert name here, depending on the movie theme]?” “It’s perfect.” Cue the music and the smiles.
Okay, okay, back to real life… Just like I have heard from other couples, my son’s father and I probably spent too much time discussing names. We chose not to know the gender, so we negotiated names for a girl or a boy. There was some discussion of names outside of the family, but we more often found ourselves commenting about a “kid in school” who had that name, or for one reason or another, the name didn’t feel right. In the end, it wasn’t a hard decision. We chose names that were in our families.
In the movies, the credits scroll, and “everyone lives happily ever after” once the baby arrives, but then there is a mid-credits scene teasing the inevitable sequel…
[SCENE START] EXT. PLAYGROUND – DAY
A child is playing on a swingset. She is having fun swinging with the neighbor boy. He jumps from the swing and turns, laughing, encouraging the girl to do the same. She’s not afraid. She swings her legs hard, and at the highest point of the arc, she jumps.
[FADE TO BLACK]
Don’t worry, it’s not a scary movie!
Jean's Movies 