Review of Thao's Library (2015) by Rob W — 24 Oct 2015

Some time ago, I came across the web site for Thao's Library completely by chance. I was randomly net surfing on some other topic which I've forgotten and found the film project's site, began looking through it and became absorbed. Like Elizabeth Van Meter, I had also lost someone very important in my life. For this reason, I think, Elizabeth's story of trying to recover from her own loss, of her sister, and looking for some purpose in her life resonated with me, and I became interested in this film project and kept an eye on it.

I went to see it when it made it to the big screen for a limited run and to my great surprise it exceeded my expectations. I went in there not knowing what to expect but found a product that I felt was really well put together and told a great story, keeping me absorbed and making me forget where I was for however long it was. Nearly all of my trips to the theater involve watching things travel through time or invade the Earth or blow up, so really I bought a ticket to see it solely out of the desire to be supportive. I left thinking that I'd spent my time well in seeing a really good film.

Before seeing it, I didn't know much about the story of the library, of Elizabeth's efforts and of how long the project took to accomplish, but it was inspiring. If you are reading this, I would love for you to give this a chance. Maybe you'll be inspired to re-find your focus if you've lost it, or maybe you'll be inspired to pay it forward in bigger ways than you are already doing so. Or maybe at the very least you'll just enjoy the feel good story.

Ever since suffering my own loss, I've been trying to do similar to Elizabeth with paying it forward, to not let my personal loss and betrayal de-motivate me from ever helping anyone again. With all honesty, this film has re-motivated me into these personal efforts. It truly was inspiring.