"Doubt" - Go see it, don't read this first.

If you have not seen the movie or play "Doubt," then don't read this until after you do - because to me, the worst thing in the world is when one goes into a play or movie with any kind of expectations or knowledge of what it's about or about the ending - the expectations always distort the experience. I just came back from seeing this movie minutes ago. I'm not revealing much about it here but you still should not read it if you have not seen it because it will influence you to some extent as to what to expect.

I looked forward to seeing the film of the play "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley and the anticipation was well rewarded to say the least. I don't see how the movie could have possibly been better than it was. It's hard to get back to normal tasks because I don't want to dilute the experience of the movie and start thinking about other things.

I read the play around November 2007. At first I was disappointed to find that the story revolved around whether or not a priest was guilty of molestation because this topic had already been in the news of course, so much. But that disappointment vanished as I continued reading the play.

I read the play unfortunately after I missed my chance to see both the Broadway and touring companies with Cherry Jones and the original cast. I was vexed that I could not find anywhere a DVD of the play itself. I know that it's not the same to see a recording of a stage performance, but if there's no way to see these performances once they're over (surely there must be) then this is a crime! I really wanted to see Cherry Jones' much lauded performance AND all the others as well. I also had a hard time imagining Meryl Streep (who is in a class by herself among actresses, and whose movies have been favorites of mine since the start) in this role. Of course I should have known that she can do anything when it comes to acting. I loved her performance in this movie because it was so true and it had to come from the heart. And it must have been a very challenging role to play so well.

I don't see a lot of movies either because many of them contain things that are truly upsetting, and due to working much more since being self-employed. So only a few weeks ago did I finally see "Capote" and the wonderful performance by Philip Seymour Hoffmann.

"Doubt" really is not so much about the suspicion /or/actions that compel the sister to investigate a crime, but about the layers of harm and the consequences of those actions. Like feathers but much heavier (alluding to one of the sermons).

I'm so glad that I saw this movie by myself. If someone had been with me and had ruined the movie with some inane joke or complaint then it would have really diminished the experience.

The very end left me in tears (translation: a complete wreck; glad that there weren't many in that afternoon's screening due to the tears coming down my face and no doubt my expression), thinking of the price that was paid by one person for trying - succeeding even - to do the right thing.

Other lasting impressions: The scene in the classroom with the young nun becoming someone she'd never been. The boy who knew what was happening (especially when he saw his classmate's mother in the nun's office, with the priest anxiously at the door - what a telling picture that was).

This is a great movie, I will most definitely see it again soon, and read the play again, it is sheer brilliance. The playwright directed the film of his own play; that also was pretty amazing, and he most certainly has a triumph on his hands. I loved the art direction. Loved the recreation of a Catholic school from this time - something that is no more. (I did unfortunately work for a very unhappy nun for a year and it was definitely the pits.) Loved the hymn at the end credits. I would love to know everything that went into the creation of the play and the movie; I hope John Patrick Shanley narrates the commentary on the DVD (don't you hate it when you hardly ever get the principal players or directors on these commentaries, but they are still interesting).

"Doubt" is amazing, make sure to see it, but don't read this in advance.

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."

-------------------

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.

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!

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!

My Favorite Paul Newman movie - "Absence of Malice"

It does not seem possible that Paul Newman could be no longer here. I grew up knowing his name and hearing news about him all my life. I remember when Tom Cruise was a fairly new star and he worked with Paul Newman in "The Color of Money" and how Paul was a mentor to Tom. Life Magazine did a profile on their friendship. I remember when Paul Newman's son Scott died as a young adult. He created the Scott Newman Foundation to honor him. I think I also saw one of his daughters in an off-Broadway production when I was growing up ("...Gamma Rays...").

Paul was never like anyone else. He was able to handle the huge stardom and still not get a big head over it. No star was ever more famous or more respected than Paul Newman. He had an astonishing ability to raise hundreds of millions for charity because he made the most of his ability to help others. I'm deeply impressed with his 50-year love story with Joanne Woodward, and equally impressed by their devotion to living in Connecticut all these years. It's been a few weeks but it's still very hard to get used to the fact that Paul Newman is no longer with us. I trust he is in an even more wonderful place now.

He REALLY seemed to know how to live life to the fullest. That's more than most of us can say.

My personal favorite Paul Newman movie is "Absence of Malice" and I highly recommend you get a copy and see it. It stars Sally Field, Melinda Dillon, and a great cast. I LOVE that movie. I can't count how many times I have seen this film.

An ex-boyfriend raved about this movie and insisted that I watch it. He was right. Now I'll rave about it to you. WONDERFUL - a must-see drama. (It's very sad at times and tough to watch.) This is Paul Newman at his best, if you ask me. But then I think he was always at his best - yet still human, one of us, a regular guy - who somehow could stay with one person for 50 years, build an empire, be a great actor, be a father, be a beloved member of his community and the world, and still have tons of fun doing things he loved.

A great quote from Paul Newman regarding his "Hole in the Wall" camp:

"I wish I could recall with clarity the impulse that compelled me to help bring this camp into being. I’d be pleased if I could announce a motive of lofty purpose. I’ve been accused of compassion, of altruism, of devotion to Christian, Hebrew, and Moslem ethic, but however desperate I am to claim ownership of a high ideal, I cannot. I wanted, I think, to acknowledge Luck; the chance of it, the benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, made especially savage for children because they may not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it." – Paul Newman
quoted from www.holeinthewallgang.org/tribute5.asp