My Own Private Idaho speaks to ‘being normal’ by juxtaposition. I identify with Mike’s unrequited love, failures, disillusionment and misfortune. The one thing dear, friendship, eventually jettisoned by a twist of social circumstance. Mike’s is life a microcosm of what is inevitable one way or another for everyone, intensified at the boundaries of what one human could bear, sharpening the question if 'normal’ is ever a reality for anyone.
The visceral but stylised tone of this movie made it one of my favourites.
Tin man costume from basic tools and materials.
Hat: plastic funnel, cleaning sponge cut to shape and layered for padding then glued in, old necklace (with hinge clasp) for chin strap attached with zip ties.
Hat deco: silver spray paint, old nuts attached with screws.
Bling: xl nuts, washers, steel chain segments joined with zip ties.
Tools: hot melt glue gun, screwdriver, wire cutters.
Price: $19. Effort: 4+ hours.
One day the telcoms will turn the other way for all of those tech-savvy folks who spend countless hours of their relatively short lives explaining to siblings or parents why their phone bill is 4 times more than their last plan, how to send video messages or why that irritating sms dictionary feature won’t turn off.
I will like that day.