My daughter, I think BABE is one of the most spectacular films. From a filmmaking standpoint, I think it’s incredibly well crafted, but those lessons I’ll have to save for you on another day. For now, I want you to learn from this fairy tale that what the world thinks you are capable of should never determine what you are actually capable of. Babe the pig is supposed to do what pig’s do, get fat and make for good roast. To do otherwise, we’re told through chattering mice and mocking crowds, is a laughable offense to the way of nature. But here is a pig not only capable of doing what sheepdogs do, but capable of doing it better than them. Better than them in style and performance. Better than them in inter species relationship and ethic. All round better. So, listen my daughter, not a single thing that people will use to judge you by from the outside (be it gender, SAT scores, job title, personality type, whatever) determines what you are capable of. Set your own course and listen to the Old Farmer’s voice (your old man’s voice) tell you, “That’ll do.”
February 7, 2016