The Good German...

[fajrdrako]

commodorified and Alayne rescued me briefly from the viral-stricken fugue state I've been in and we went to a movie: The Good German. It was playing at the Bytowne, just down the street from where I work, and starting ten minutes after I left work. Perfect.

Not so perfect, I was still utterly tired. I did doze off briefly in the movie, but only briefly. The story: an American journalist in Berlin right after World War II tries to rescue the woman he loves, in an atmosphere of espionage and political mistrust, while she in turn is trying to rescue her husband. At least... I think that's it. The plot was actually so full of hidden agendas and mutual deceptions that it was in the end a little hard to figure out who was doing what to whom or why.

Visually, the movie is quite fascinating - done in overexposed black and white like an artistic exaggeration of footage of 1946. But there was something a little disappointing in the weakness of the plot, or the characters, or both: so much lack of trust between audience and film that there wasn't much emotional connection there. We all thought that the most accessible and realistic character was a minor one, the blonde whore, who really made an impression. Best acting was probably from Tobey Maguire, whom I don't really like, but he was superb as a scummy American black marketeer.

After the movie we went to The Highlander pub on Rideau Street. I chose it because it's near my bus stop but there are three reasons I like that pub, nothing to do with the food quality, which is good, especially their French fries. I feel I can now indulge, at least sometimes, in my love of chips - it's a Doctor Who fannish thing.

No. I like that pub because (1) the wait staff wears kilts, and I think kilts are the sexiest garments on earth; (2) because the walls are decorated with pictures of the Duke of Wellington, Napoleon, the Battle of Waterloo, and World War I; and (3) Because of its fannish name that brings to mind Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.

I enjoyed the evening but it's incredible how tired I feel.

Comments

[wanderinunicorn.livejournal.com]

There is an interesting discussion on imdb about this movie and the image of the Germans - the thread has a tiile "I'm German". I've read only a part of it , because it's so long, maybe it's only a rubbish. I haven't seen the movie yet, sorry that you haven't fun. Sorderberg (I hope I've written his name right) is overrated (so is my opinion, and a very subjective one).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip, I'd like to read that conversation on IMDb. It was an interesting movie; I'm tempted to say it was unsuccessful - I think it was - but it was cleverly unsuccessful, if that means anything. Artistically clever, but not really effective in getting across what I think it was trying to communicate.

Unless I was just too tired to see what was there.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

oh, no cuddling up with closed eyes. Well friends and good food in a friendly atmosphere are important to, even if you didn't have full intention for the movie. Take care of yourself thoughh.(I'll just keep on repeating myself till I made such a nuisance of myself you never want to read me again. Oh no!! I wouln't want that!! But still, I do think it is important. Well, you are a grown up woman with enough brains to figure it all out. Pay attention to your limits, thats all)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

oh, no cuddling up with closed eyes.

I'll do that this evening, I promise!

Don't worry, you'd have to work very hard to make me not want to read your comments. And I appreciate your concern.

I just wish my limits weren't so limiting right now.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

I just wish my limits weren't so limiting right now.

I am afraid that it is precisely that feeling that should operate as a warningsignal that you are running the risk of seriously crossing your limits.

I know the feeling that you have to shuffle around the edges while inside you it screams "let me be, I want to dance, I want to soar"

life is hard

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Fail to see the appeal of kilts at all. Suggestive of innumerable idiots at wedding parties, and the whole Walter Scott, 1820s, tartanised kitsch vision of Scotland beloved by the diaspora but heartily despised here.

You'd like the Ensign Ewart in Edinburgh: as it's called after Charles Ewart, Sergeant of the Greys, who captured a Napoleonic eagle at Waterloo, and was promoted to Ensign, it has lots of Napoleonic-type stuff inside.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, I am the offspring of the Scottish diaspora. I manage not to associate kilts with Sir Walter Scott (thank goodness) but with Highland Games and John Barrowman's wedding pictures and other pleasant memories - and, yes, they are kitschy but I forgive all, bowled over by their socio-cultural connotations and irresistible attractiveness as unisex clothing that can fit any body and any occasion.

You'd like the Ensign Ewart in Edinburgh

You're right, I would! Okay, it's on my list of places to go... if/when I ever get back to Edinburgh.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

It's the utter spuriousness of the socio-cultural connotations that is so off-putting...
Plus the fact that bare legs are simply not something I like to see, at all.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I see the spuriousness as being historical, not current... And I suppose it all boils down to aesthetics anyway!

[laitosto.livejournal.com]

I've passed the pub numerous times. I once thought of going in for lunch one day, but it was too crowded. I checked out the website and it looks like the kind of place my nutritionist would not approve of. I especially appreciated the one meal selection that included a sample of scotch.

My kind of place.

I can't wait to go!

p.s. How do you sit in a kilt anyway?