Uncle Goldmember, Brother Austin

Often it is said "It takes a village to raise a child." I discovered today while watching "Austin Powers-Goldmember" that I would gladly allow all of the characters in this movie, created and played by the brilliant Mike Myer, to have a formative hand in raising my children.

Austin Powers: a sensitive man who has daddy issues and isn't afraid to speak about it, is stylish, can inspire spontaneous theatrical ensemble dances on the streets of London, and has a sly sense of humor.

My personal favorite, Goldmember himself: a sweet roller- skating Dutchman who is like a deep fried cinnamon-sugar donut. He's soft on the inside, but has a golden yet crunchy and varied exterior, with a little bite.

Fat Bastard: what a verbose individual who can really turn a phrase... a misunderstood lad, a gentle little sea horse stuck in a manatee's body.

Dr. Evil: Oh Dr. Evil, such a multi-layered enigma. He's got the physicality of a push pencil but the inner sparks of a car door in Winter. He is like a hybrid of Bing Crosby and Queen Latifah.

Perhaps I secretly like to see myself in these characters. I love that it is possible to see through to their humanity.

Mike Myers is such a creative and amazing actor to commit to the physical qualities that reveal these characters! If little Ezra and Tilly went over to Uncle Fat Bastard's house after school for a few hours, and on Sunday's went to the First Zebedian Church of Holland with Uncle Goldmember, I'd be totally confident that they'd grow up to be upstanding or at least interesting citizens. Although they might turn out a bit evil, consume their own dried skin flakes with fervor, and be a little veeeeiiiiirrrrrd, they'd make up for it in their ability to be well rounded, authentic and in some way, loving. To me, that'd be worth it.

:) S