Once Upon a Time

Just a day or so ago, I came across the trailer for A Very Long Engagement, an upcoming movie starring Audrey Tautou, best known for Amelie. She and the director of Amelie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, collaborated on this new film, based on a novel by French author, Sebastien Japrisot. The trailer prompted me to check the book out from the library and the first sixty pages of the book have me eagerly awaiting the movie, which opens in selected theaters on November 26th.

Perhaps because of its simplicity, Japrisot had me hooked from the first sentence of his novel...

Once upon a time, there were five French soldiers who had gone off to war, because that's the way of the world.

Once upon a time. I dig that opening phrase. It recalls memories of fairy tales and childhood stories told many years ago. It feels like the impending story will reveal a world of magic and possibilities, although it takes place against the backdrop of war. It gives me hope that the heroine will still find her true love (her Prince Charming) alive, for he was reportedly "killed in the line of duty".

Once upon a time. I think those will be the first four words of my NaNo-novel. The insanity begins in a little over two days.