24 Comments
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Melinda March's avatar

I’d love to join a writers’ group! Melindamarch11@gmail.com

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Kari Marie's avatar

Uff. I'm very glad I read this before watching - I actually had ovarian cancer when I was 28 and had one ovary removed and have thankfully been cancer free since then but I'm guessing this movie would not sit well with me. I'm now almost 38 and child free and my doctor recently brought up removing the second ovary. I'm taking some time to process it because I'm not in imminent danger, but it's not really a question. Thanks for this, I'm not usually worried about a movie triggering me but I think this one might have had me spinning.

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kelly johnson's avatar

I'm so sorry for everything you've gone through, Kari. And I'm so glad you have a doctor who cares, and that you're doing well, and I would *not* recommend this movie! x

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Jo L.'s avatar

Thank you for the NYT article, "Rest shouldn’t be exclusive to the privileged. Latinas and all women deserve body sovereignty, which includes the right not only to decline but also to defer reproduction." Ooof! I am always looking to build community, online and in person, and would also be interested in the writing group

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kelly johnson's avatar

Nice! What's your email address? (You can DM or email it to me if you prefer!)

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Aoife's avatar

Gah, I already had a weird feeling about We Live In Time about now I feel extra wtf, pass. This is a stellar explicatory review. Thank you!

Super keen to join a writer's group -- count me in 🤓.

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A.'s avatar

thank u soo very much for writing this. I’m so sick of this narrative that women who don’t want children will simply change their mind when they find the right man or when they grow up. I’ve been invalidated for this opinion HELL EVEN DISRESPECTED and this movie made me so mad. If there was another reason as to why almut changed her mind that didn’t involve simply a MAN, that might revolve around herself more (eg in hunger games when katniss chooses to have kids) they did a shitty job at showing this. i was very disappointed

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Lauren Neufeld's avatar

Went to the theatre with my husband last night. He cried and I was dry eyed and bitter as we walked back to the car. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but you absolutely nailed it with this review!

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kelly johnson's avatar

WOW!!!!!! This is *fascinating*

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Aja Frost's avatar

Thank you for this super thoughtful essay (slash warning), Kelly! Honestly, I'd be verrry into The Time Traveler’s Wife meets A Walk To Remember.

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

*adds Woman of the Hour to Netflix cue*

Great post Kelly. I’m interested in the writer’s group! Morgannehatfield@gmail.com

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kelly johnson's avatar

A must watch!!! The writer's group reached 10 (capacity) over the weekend (wild!) but I sent your information over to the organizer and she'll reach out if anyone drops out! :)

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Thank you! I got an email from her.

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Carrie M Farrell's avatar

1000% would be a dream come true to join a writers group! I’d even be happy to help with all the admin details. Let me know where I can sign up!!

Also. So thankful to have read your review and saved myself from the boiling rage I know I would have encountered. I’m 35 and currently childless and though I do want kids I have multiple health issues that could potentially make being pregnant dangerous. It’s been an ongoing struggle to meet with all the drs, absorb all the information, and let go of the looming guilt if I ultimately decide the risk is too high and I’m not willing to make that sacrifice for my potential future children. It moves from being a bodily sacrifice to a financial sacrifice if i decide to utilize surrogacy. It’s not a straightforward situation and there’s a lot of emotion tangled in every aspect of it. I can only imagine this movie making me feel selfish for admitting I don’t want to compromise my health to have a baby.

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kelly johnson's avatar

Thank you so much!! The group reached 10 (capacity) so so quickly (wild!) but I sent your information over to Aoife and she'll reach out if anyone drops out :)

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Tahani Daugherty's avatar

I'm definitely interested in the writer's group:

tahanialexis@gmail.com

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Lou's avatar

I'd love info about the writer's group! lindshoyt@gmail.com

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Cait's avatar

Ugh. I'm disappointed that Florence's most recent flick isn't a banger. But! They can't all be hits, unfortunately.

I am so interested in a writer's group!!! Sign me up!

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kelly johnson's avatar

Amazing! What's your email address? (You can DM or email it to me, too!)

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Jenna Cusimano's avatar

Saw the movie, and you neatly captured all of the reasons why it left me unsettled but I couldn’t quite articulate- yes to all of it! I think the final scene was the creepiest of all in retrospect. It doesn’t matter that his partner died - he got his daughter! His lineage can pass on! Let’s make breakfast 🫠

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Amanda Laudenbach's avatar

I’m interested in the writer’s group: amanda.laudenbach@gmail.com

Also, hi! Just found your Substack a week or so ago. Hope you’re well.

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Lindsay's avatar

Truly wild times when the NYT has more critical / thoughtful coverage of a movie than the president-elect

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LF's avatar

I didn’t hate the movie, but I think it was definitely flawed. I thought it could have been longer, AG’s character more developed. I thought the ice skating bit was disjointed. I thought the birth scene was magnificent, and overall, they had great chemistry. I also appreciate that they let FP look like a normal (albeit very beautiful) person.

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