so i saw you post this last week and i saw urchin about ten days ago, and i’m finally back now that i’ve watched if i had legs i’d kick you.
you really compared the complexities of both protagonists quite well here, as i also thought, “damn they really can’t escape their fate,” while also thinking, “perhaps that was a poor decision.”
sometimes you truly are just the product of your environment and that fogs your judgment (re: urchin) and your decisions don’t only haunt you but further your inevitable spiral (re: if i had legs i’d kick you). i like how both movies—in a similar fashion to sorry, baby—left me with a lot on my mind, especially how i disassociate to covertly escape difficult moments. great work here! really need to watch your third recommended film
sorry, baby is such a good parallel, too!! characters feeling the immeasurable weight of the decisions they made and factors they didn’t. IT BE LIKE THAT SOMETIMES!!!! thank you so much for reading 🫶🏿
Loved this. I think I first heard about "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You" from Conan O'Brien's appearance on Stephen Colbert's show to talk about the cameo. This, though, piqued my curiosity to see the film for other reasons.
Also appreciate the shoutout to Lino Brocka's film. Ironically, I'm Filipino, and I haven't seen the movie yet (though I've heard nothing but praise from film lovers).
I noted in my commonplace journal a line from here, one that's got me thinking about life in general: "Like a stairmaster, there is no final destination, only the next step, and with each additional heel--a sinking sand of steps--you feel further exhausted, simultaneously in the same place."
Really enjoyed this! & the google definition of urchin because as a British person I have never heard it described like that and it made me laugh. In much more concise terms it means you look a scruffy mess - my mum uses it all the time.
Martha!!! Thank you for reading :) haha I had no idea that’s what urchin meant. I truly was watching the film confused why there wasn’t anymore sea life imagery and had to look it up weeks later lol
The AMC app lists IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU as a comedy when I bought my ticket… so despite being bamboozled, it was interesting and engaging watch.
Linda’s an interesting character though I didn’t understand about half the things she did. Things like being inappropriate with her colleague/ therapist seemed more like radical lack of self-awareness rather than a reaction to her circumstances.
Thanks for reading! I agree that her behaviour started in a wild place but most of the characters did. I interpreted that this was more of a symptom than this being part comedy than anything else.
Great article! I love love loved If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Watched it with my mom a few days ago because I thought she’d find it relatable but I didn’t know exactly how much until we talked after the film. Should totally go watch Urchin based on your description of it.
Fantastic as always. Can’t wait to see these films
Let me know when you do!!
so i saw you post this last week and i saw urchin about ten days ago, and i’m finally back now that i’ve watched if i had legs i’d kick you.
you really compared the complexities of both protagonists quite well here, as i also thought, “damn they really can’t escape their fate,” while also thinking, “perhaps that was a poor decision.”
sometimes you truly are just the product of your environment and that fogs your judgment (re: urchin) and your decisions don’t only haunt you but further your inevitable spiral (re: if i had legs i’d kick you). i like how both movies—in a similar fashion to sorry, baby—left me with a lot on my mind, especially how i disassociate to covertly escape difficult moments. great work here! really need to watch your third recommended film
sorry, baby is such a good parallel, too!! characters feeling the immeasurable weight of the decisions they made and factors they didn’t. IT BE LIKE THAT SOMETIMES!!!! thank you so much for reading 🫶🏿
Loved this. I think I first heard about "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You" from Conan O'Brien's appearance on Stephen Colbert's show to talk about the cameo. This, though, piqued my curiosity to see the film for other reasons.
Also appreciate the shoutout to Lino Brocka's film. Ironically, I'm Filipino, and I haven't seen the movie yet (though I've heard nothing but praise from film lovers).
I noted in my commonplace journal a line from here, one that's got me thinking about life in general: "Like a stairmaster, there is no final destination, only the next step, and with each additional heel--a sinking sand of steps--you feel further exhausted, simultaneously in the same place."
Thanks so much for reading. I do think the Lino Brocka film is harder to find but it should be on Criterion!
I’m glad you liked that line :) it went through a few edits before I felt it was right 😊
Really enjoyed this! & the google definition of urchin because as a British person I have never heard it described like that and it made me laugh. In much more concise terms it means you look a scruffy mess - my mum uses it all the time.
Martha!!! Thank you for reading :) haha I had no idea that’s what urchin meant. I truly was watching the film confused why there wasn’t anymore sea life imagery and had to look it up weeks later lol
The AMC app lists IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU as a comedy when I bought my ticket… so despite being bamboozled, it was interesting and engaging watch.
Linda’s an interesting character though I didn’t understand about half the things she did. Things like being inappropriate with her colleague/ therapist seemed more like radical lack of self-awareness rather than a reaction to her circumstances.
Thanks for reading! I agree that her behaviour started in a wild place but most of the characters did. I interpreted that this was more of a symptom than this being part comedy than anything else.
Great article! I love love loved If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Watched it with my mom a few days ago because I thought she’d find it relatable but I didn’t know exactly how much until we talked after the film. Should totally go watch Urchin based on your description of it.
Thanks for reading! I should tell my mom to watch it, too! I highly recommend Urchin. Let me know what you think about it once you go see it :)