Bright Young Things

I believe a story---a good story--has a moment of beginning. A flashpoint, more specifically. A point of origin, during which it is determined whether or not said story will endure time or become dust in time.

A grand pronouncement, yes. But the trick, of course, is trying to figure when and where this moment might occur and how to identify it accordingly. Because once this is accomplished then the story as a whole can be truly appreciated or discarded.

If this moment can be identified, if the story can be considered as a whole, as something of significance, then the joy and delight truly begins: For once all this is set into place, once a given story is recognized of being of merit and value then examination of it honestly is a true and certain delight.

Because such stories, more often than not, tend to reflect reality as we know it.

Consider as example the film "Bright Young Things", based on the novel by Evelyn Waugh, "Vile Bodies" (1930). Here is a film that comes from a story--a good story--that has a moment of beginning. A flashpoint, specifically; a point of origin, during which it can be determined this story will endure time itself.

Why? Because the story at the most basic is a story too many recognize and may know, first hand.

If "Bright Young Things" were made today, and set in today's world it is very likely the central story would be about pop culture divas almost everyone has heard of: Paris and Nicky Hilton, perhaps, and their circle of friends, and those who surround them: Cable network news, entertainment programs with names like "Entertainment Tonight", and magazines like "Rolling Stone", and "People".

If this film were done in today's world it would no doubt have the spirit found in the film written and directed by Stephen Fry. But it is not set in today's world, and that is a good thing, because it goes to make a better story yet: A story with an underlying sadness to the care-free lifestyle, the superficiality, the fraud of it all. A story tempered by certain autobiographical elements (Until just a few years ago, when he had a nervous breakdown, Fry, himself, was easily classified as a Bright Young Thing.).

The story is set in London and English country houses, between the two great wars, and mostly occupies that space, that intersection, where aristocratic, rich, ambitious, decadent, fraudulent, and the bohemian collide in their pursuit of what they believe to be Life. Oh, yes: Being an alcoholic is oh-so important, to embrace the recommended lifestyle.

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