Saturday, December 27, 2008

More on "Betrayal" by Harold Pinter (1930-2008)

This is what I wrote on Amazon last year about "Betrayal."

A Masterpiece: No play will ever surpass this look at infidelity, friendship, and trust

February 25, 2007
By Mimi Tanner "Secrets of Flirting.com" (Texas, USA)

"Three people, intertwined by friendship, marriage, and work, live with the realities and consequences of the extra-marital affair between two of them. The story is told in reverse, covering a nine-year period. This is one of those plays and films that only gets better with repeated viewing.

"Over the years, more and more questions have come to mind that compel a repeated viewing of the movie (or reading of the play) in the hope of finding the answers. On some points, the movie is remains as unfathomable as Mona Lisa's smile.

"The acting in this movie is beyond wonderful. When you read the play, you can appreciate even more how much the actors do to portray the author's intentions and to make the film such a masterpiece.

"I never get tired of this film - it is a marvel of genius on the part of the playwright Harold Pinter, the director, and all three actors. It is also a wonderful and restorative retreat from much of what passes for entertainment on television and in movies as well. This movie must be seen far more than one time to fully appreciate it."

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Okay so I would change the "Mona Lisa" comment but you get the point.... This play leaves my normal "writing ability" in the dust due to being in such awe of every facet of this - the play, the performances, the perfection of the fact that this movie exists and that I'm lucky enough to know about it. And thankfully unlike many movies, it endures repeated, and I mean REPEATED viewings.

I could go on and on about "Betrayal" and be a lot more specific. Enjoyment of a film is a really personal thing in some cases, this one being one in particular. Why isn't it on DVD yet? It also never shows on television. The only way to see it is to buy the few VHS copies that are around.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!

This is a wonderful CD - "Celtic Woman" Christmas Album.
Rest in peace to Harold Pinter, the Nobel-prize-winning author of my all-time favorite movie. It's a play but I know it best as the movie, for which he wrote the screenplay as well: "Betrayal," Harold Pinter. I wish I could have met him.

I can never explain fully why "Betrayal" is such a favorite for me but I never get tired of that one and find it full of new discoveries with new viewings. For some reason it inspires and restores me. Some movies remind us of who we are / what we appreciate / when things are too busy. Saw this first in theatres and my boyfriend at the time was upset by the film because he felt like he "didn't get it..." - saw it at the Prytania Theatre in New Orleans. And I've liked it more and more ever since. It's definitely not for everyone - must love movies which are mainly dialogue!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Nice Christmas Photo (to stay in my mind)

Today one of my children had all 4 wisdom teeth removed. Long story short, the experience was definitely stressful due to a lot of pain, not to mention a drug called Versed that in the future I will list as an allergy on her records to make sure she doesn't get it ever again.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=18654&name=VERSED

But thankfully after a day that brought to mind this child's experience of emergency surgery over in Russia 8 years ago... she is a lot better now, Thank God.

The Christmas Photo is this - her friend, a guy, came over (her dad was also here for several hours) and they were watching movies but it got really quiet. I peeked in the living room and there was a cute picture on this giant sectional sofa: my daughter asleep, her friend asleep, and our 2 dogs (Harvey and Oliver) as bookends on each side, standing guard, or more accurately, snoozing and protecting at the same time. If I'd tried to take a photo, Oliver would have jumped down and run off (he is not fond of flashes). Oliver and I exchanged knowing looks however and I quietly tiptoed back here to the desk.

The Christmas tree and fireplace were in the background; it is a great image; as I write they are still asleep. Okay.... back to work!