My decadent day
September 6th 2006 05:55
Last Friday was my first day off in a while, I decided that after doing all the usual running around I would be self-indulgent and see a film. I checked the website of my local cinemas, Dendy, Palace, The Chauvel etc and lastly Hoyts. Hoyts is generally a place that I see a more mainstream film consciously knowing that the atmosphere is less intimate, the prices are higher and my money goes to huge corporation instead of one the smaller cinemas that need the support (I’m still mourning for the Valhalla). But I knew I wasn’t in the food for a film that was too heavy or too close to reality, even though there were lots of good films on at The Dendy that I hadn’t yet seen. I was in the mood for a film that would make me think only slightly but with an air of fluff.
I read the Friends with Money synopsis and it sounded like a viable candidate, it seemed to fit my criteria. As usual, I then read the review by Margaret and David from the At The Movies website and they both gave it favourable reviews and four stars each. It might sound like I place David and Margaret on a film pedestal and that thought might have an element of truth, but in this case I was more investigative, with an air of monetary tightness. Seeing a film at Hoyts is more expensive than the Dendy and other independent cinemas, so I wanted to know that I wasn’t going to waste my money on a complete load of crap. Anyhoo, D & M’s review told me that the film was made by the same director, Nicole Holofcener who did Lovely and Amazing, a film I really liked. So, that was that, my decision was made.
My expectations weren’t too high for the film; I just needed a bit of escapism, peace and entertainment for two hours. As you might have guessed, it had been a bit of a stressful and hectic week.
The film surprised me; I was involved almost immediately. Holofcener cleverly delves into the lives of her characters in an absorbing, compelling and non-conventional way. The language was witty, the characters realistic as well as funny. The characters’ individual idiosyncrasies were strong, often with a ring of truth to them. At times, it was uncomfortable watching these varying relationships, recognising either myself or some actions or reactions from my own life. The frenzied Frances McDormand intrigued me in a paradoxical way. Her character is so strong, so strange with creating a few moments of embarrassed cringing but at the same time admiration for a woman strong enough to go against some of society’s seemingly unnecessary restraints. For example, she decided that she was no longer going to wash her hair because it would only get dirty and need washing again, so she didn’t see the point in wasting her time. She didn’t change her mind at all, despite the blatant remarks from her husband and friends and remained true to her belief.
To me, the pivotal appeal of this film to me was that it realistically captured a familiar section of human behaviour without clichés and being contrived. All in all, I was happy with my Hoyts off- the-cuff decision.
I read the Friends with Money synopsis and it sounded like a viable candidate, it seemed to fit my criteria. As usual, I then read the review by Margaret and David from the At The Movies website and they both gave it favourable reviews and four stars each. It might sound like I place David and Margaret on a film pedestal and that thought might have an element of truth, but in this case I was more investigative, with an air of monetary tightness. Seeing a film at Hoyts is more expensive than the Dendy and other independent cinemas, so I wanted to know that I wasn’t going to waste my money on a complete load of crap. Anyhoo, D & M’s review told me that the film was made by the same director, Nicole Holofcener who did Lovely and Amazing, a film I really liked. So, that was that, my decision was made.
My expectations weren’t too high for the film; I just needed a bit of escapism, peace and entertainment for two hours. As you might have guessed, it had been a bit of a stressful and hectic week.
The film surprised me; I was involved almost immediately. Holofcener cleverly delves into the lives of her characters in an absorbing, compelling and non-conventional way. The language was witty, the characters realistic as well as funny. The characters’ individual idiosyncrasies were strong, often with a ring of truth to them. At times, it was uncomfortable watching these varying relationships, recognising either myself or some actions or reactions from my own life. The frenzied Frances McDormand intrigued me in a paradoxical way. Her character is so strong, so strange with creating a few moments of embarrassed cringing but at the same time admiration for a woman strong enough to go against some of society’s seemingly unnecessary restraints. For example, she decided that she was no longer going to wash her hair because it would only get dirty and need washing again, so she didn’t see the point in wasting her time. She didn’t change her mind at all, despite the blatant remarks from her husband and friends and remained true to her belief.
To me, the pivotal appeal of this film to me was that it realistically captured a familiar section of human behaviour without clichés and being contrived. All in all, I was happy with my Hoyts off- the-cuff decision.
| 87 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I will wait for DVD on this one though, because I can't imagine lasting through an entire movie that Jennifer Aniston appears in. They would have had my buck long ago if it wasnt for that.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life