On Sunday the great actor, Peter O'Toole, passed. I still remember the first time I watched "Lawrence of Arabia". I was in high school, already of uncommon tastes, certainly compared to many I knew. When this movie came on, I sat in front of the TV for four hours without moving. It was a movie without a single female character. Without any romance. Try finding that today. It had none of the silly token adds, unnecessary to the plot, and in some cases unrealistic, that cheapen a movie. These things were not what the movie was about. It was a romance of an entirely different sort. It was artistic. David Lean's mastery going so far as to ensure that every take (when applicable) traveled in the same direction - to the movement of the plot.

It was - and is - one of the most astoundingly moving films of all time.

A few years later, I attended the first of the re-releases in theaters. I was in Seattle. It was one of the most important and thrilling fairy-tale evenings of my entire life.

Yes, the superlatives come out in this description. In rare instances such as these they are warranted.

Mr. O'Toole has many other wonderful films that affected me greatly and in some ways so profoundly that I cannot even share it here. But I thank him. Recently, his speech at the end of "Ratatouille" furnished a stunning ending to a so-so film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JPOoFkrh94&feature=share

Dear Peter, you will not be missed entirely because you will always be with us. Your transcendent voice, bright eyes, and quirky smile will be with me always.

There are people who don't even know who he is. Who have never watched one of his movies. Who find him over-done and mawkish. Who don't understand why he is called the "Great Player". Who will never appreciate his magic.

I am not one of those people.