"Poor Things" - The Wild Journey (in the most rigid of times) for Shaking Off "The Oughts"

Just when you thought no satire could come up to British comic John Oliver's takedown of McKinsey, here is movie Poor Things. 

HUMOR SO DARK, MIXED WITH SCI FI

Set in Victorian England it uses dark humor, sci fi and alternating black and white/color to depict the wild journey of a female from traditional values to being a freethinker/doer who gains power and wealth. Simultaneously she softens enough to be able to love and forgive. 

Essentially it is the story of a very pregnant well-dressed woman who takes a suicide leap into the water. Mad scientist Dr. Baxter retrieves the dead body, transplants the dead infant's brain into the woman's and electrifies what comes together to life. 

Originally Victoria Blessington wife of a cruel rich man, the creature is renamed Bella Baxter. As she develops from infancy, in an adult body, she pushes for knowledge of the world and herself. Via a lustful lawyer she escapes captivity with Dr. Baxter and his assistant (with whom she had become engaged). 

BELLA OUT INTO THE WORLD

That takes her everywhere, including working in a Paris brothel (proposing procedural changes), becoming deeply interested in theories about the human species (is cruelty hardwired) and experimenting with improving life as it is (giving away all her lawyer's money). 

The template of such a radical journey is open for application to any aspect of a current life, be it big as that of a CEO or smaller as with strivers for simply making a good living. Some speculate paradigm shifts are in the ether. 

ROARING TWENTIES, FLIGHT FROM RATIONALISM

Those could involve a circling back to The Roaring 20s from the doom-and-gloom since 9/11 and/or even the emergence of another Romantic Era (as in the 19th century) with a flight from rationalism. Regarding the latter, The New York Times salutes Tarot cards as tools for self-awareness and the New York Post reports that in sophisticated NYC psychics are replacing therapists.

Reaching out like Bella Baxter, of course, covers the kinds of nervous careerism posted on professional anonymous networks and tabloids. You know those questions: What is the culture at law firms such as Quinn Emanuel and Paul, Weiss and the MBB (McKinsey, Bain and Boston Consulting Group). Halfway through the 160-minute film you might begin developing a loosey-goosey feeling that you too can deeply question, then perhaps move around the coordinates of your work and with it your life.

OF OUR TIMES, "REDEMPTION STORIES"

There are growing signs that "Poor Things" is aligned with our times. Here is only one example. The recent Ted Talk "Redemption Stories" which tells the story of such personal and professional radical change has 20 million views (in only five months). John Tarantino's journey began with his wife Patrice's cancer diagnosis.

Currently, in addition to practicing law John has embraced the mission of solving the medical mystery of cancer. That includes being CEO of an oncology firm and creative fundraising. The latter started with him. He contributed the proceeds from Patrice's insurance policy and the sale of the family house to cancer research. Currently he bunks in a small one-bedroom apartment. This is a lawyer whose clients include ARCO and whose cases have been landmark.

Complimentary confidential intuitive coaching session. No pressure. Maybe even some lightness of being. Exhale. Please contact Jane Genova for an appointment (text/phone 203-468-8579 or email at janegenova374@gmail.com)