Update- at 16 my kid is finally completely enthralled by Fellowship of The Ring.
Don't force films or books on your kids when they're little.
Ask them.
When they're ready- they'll say so.
And if after trying it's still not for them-
Let it go.
You're raising a child. Not a clone.
Find other stuff to engage in together.
Signed- my kid cannot get into Star Wars and that's perfectly fine
16- I loved this and I need more media that's got this much platonic love being celebrated.
Discussed the changes made for the film including how nearly every wealthy English officer in WWI had a person who was brown assigned to him as a servant, page, slave who became their most trusted person and how Sam should actually be a person of color but Sean Astin fucking nailed it. While white.
My kid - holy shit.
Me- Oh we have loads of shit to discuss while loving this.
Samwise is The Hero of The Lord of The Rings.
In the books as well as the films.
Period.
So we discussed romanticism of the lower class as well.
Everything is a teaching moment if you've been teaching your kids to listen.
Me- the next two starting tomorrow?
My kid - I think I have to digest this so can we watch the next one Wednesday?
Me- "Nooooo we can't because Bluey is Wednesday. Thursday night and Friday night?"
My kid - perfect.
My kid said - "Are you saying that Tolkien was a bad person?"
And I said, "Absolutely not. I'm saying that he did his best, which was truly amazing for his time, in the time he was given."
Kid smirks.
Me- also all of my books about Tolkien are right out there in the dining room next to his own books so feel free to read them.
@DallasBarnett
Way past it, but I should have .
I got into my parent's books because I saw them be enthusiastic about them, and they were available.
@Shelter And out of nowhere, it's Sam Gamgee with a steel chair!!!!
@GlennS
Yep.
And awesome.
@Shelter Fun fact:
When I first read LOTR as three separate books I cried my heart out at the end of The Two Towers when Shelob got Frodo.
@Shelter Also I was pissed when The Two Towers movie *didn't* end there.
I have yet to make it thru the 2nd book. Too damn much galloping thru the land.
I’ve watched the trilogy more times than I can count and I still lose my shit throughout all the movies. Between the beauty of the relationships and the pain of all the losses…
@see_the_sus
I have watched in one form or another (watching through, using them as comfort to fall asleep) hundreds of times.
It's beautiful and sad, but also joyful.
And the Joy isn't in the crowning of the King.
It's in being able to chill out in the pub but Frodo understanding to seize every single joy to come before leaving.
That's where joy lives. In the small moments.
@see_the_sus
Strawberries and cream.
That's where joy lives.
Gandalf falls.
I pass a box of tissues towards my kid.
Kid- "Everyone knows Gandalf dies but comes back."
Hobbits start sobbing.
Kid grabs tissue.
#NerdParenting