I read Johnny Cash’s autobiography a few years ago and really hooked into his retrospective take on his life and the people in it. He seemed to be without any personal judgement against people who had hurt him in the past. What I took from it was that you can’t fully understand anyone completely (“Nobody knows anybody, not that well.”) so your judgement is completely arbitrary. Since reading his book, I’ve tried to take on that same mindset and I consider it a real method for personal growth.
There’s a funny similarity to Errol Morris, because with each film that I watch, I begin to gain respect towards behavior that I can’t fully comprehend, and would have ridiculed at a younger age. Even with Vernon, Florida, the first time I just laughed, the second time I connected. With Fast Cheap and Out of Control, I was able to sit there and think, “It’s really wonderful that he can find happiness in naked mole rats.” It wouldn’t exactly be my choice, but I can respect it. The giggles of seemingly ridiculous vocations are gone. By the time we get to this film we’ve dealt with the Morris issues so much that the message just pops out. This is life, this is death, this is beauty and truth all rolled into one. It’s robots, it’s mole rats, it’s lions, it’s topiary animals and it’s whatever you want to do with your energy that makes it all worthwhile.Â
Also according to the guy in Vernon, Florida, humans have a five track mind. Meanwhile, in this film, Dave Hoover confirms that lions only have a one track mind. Just an interesting point.