Review: Al and Larry are for real
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 19, 2014
Sometimes, it's someone unexpected, an unexpected blessing, who helps us to realize our full potential, no matter how quiet that potential may be.This is Al for Larry and Larry for Al.Al literally shines a light on Larry's heart, making it impossible for Larry to do anything but fall for Al, all of Al. He breaks down what appear to be the last barriers between Larry and his own contented happiness.Larry shines a light on what even Al's Mum doesn't 100% recognize: Al is beautiful. Gorgeous. This time, it's the outside that deserves fresh recognition. Al's insides shine unfailingly bright already.Al may not understand all of the veiled, or not so veiled, references that some people let flutter and fall around them. He doesn't need to. Sometimes I wish I didn't need to understand. That junk is exhausting. What Al does understand is how those same people are feeling. If he knows them well, he's connected and reaches right in, showing them their own heart and that he wants to protect it. That he can and will protect it.Maybe even more importantly, he knows how he feels and is honest about that. I think that's a big reason as to why Larry falls so deeply for Al and is adamant in his feelings for him. Even when Larry fails to understand (yep, it's Larry who fails to see the truth for awhile, not Al), he does not hesitate in telling his family what Al means to him. This only happens when Larry allows himself to truly acknowledge Al's complete honesty, that it doesn't change as circumstances change.Is there repetition in the number of ways we're shown why and how Al deals with the world and all of the beautifully odd people in it? Yes. On the flip side, his voice is incredibly and consistently written. You'll know Al as well as he knows himself. How often does that happen? Not often. And it's how Al lives his life, as well. He's an open book with depth, tenderness, trust and love.Simple does not equal stupid. Simple does not mean unaware.Simple is one way some people make their way in the world, letting us see them, and they letting us see ourselves.