On The Other Hand Death... a Donald/Timmy movie...

[fajrdrako]

This morning maaseru and I watched the new Donald Strachey movie, On the Other Hand Death, based on the novel by Richard Stevenson.

maaseru discovered last night that it was being aired today. I made an emergency phone call to Rogers - which means, being on hold for twenty minutes - and ordered the channel that carries the Donald Strachey movies. (Superchannel 1, it's called.) Looks as if they have some interesting things - lots of TV shows and movies I never heard of. Irregular fare. Good! I can't afford to keep it long, but no harm in keeping it till the next Donald Strachey movie, Ice Blues, comes out in June.

So On the Other Hand Death was aired at 9:15 this morning. maaseru and I made a fannish occasion of it. We got up early and went to Kettleman's, where we bought a bagel breakfast, and watched the show on her large screen.

I think it's one of the best-written of the novels, though they are all beautifully written. This one had maybe a little extra punch.

They changed the plot for the movie, though they retained the general theme: an aging Lesbian couple is being pressured to sell their home and the developers behind the scheme are crooked. And an old boyfriend of Timmy's comes to town. Quite frankly, when the climax came and the who-did-what-to-whom explanation was proffered, I was totally confused. Who killed the guy in the barn and why? And they added an excellent subplot of young troubled gay teenagers.

It was fun. The dialogue - especially between Timmy and Donald - was great, and Donald's assistant Kenny was put to good use, though he remains my least favourite character on the show. Disappointingly, though the relationship between Donald and Timmy remains delightful, there are no onscreen kisses - except the occasional peck - just when we think we're getting a good one, Donald and Timmy see they are being observed, and back off. Which makes for a cute scene, but I'd rather have the kiss!

Interestingly, the movie strongly makes the point that Donald and Timmy are monogamous, and Donald refers to himself as married - not just a change from the books, but a dramatic contrast. Even more a contrast than the change of setting from hot summer to snowy winter!

As with all the Donald Strachey movies, it's beautifully photographed and choreographed, and the music is great.

Comments

[ladykoori.livejournal.com]

WHAT!!!! Its aired somewhere?!?!?!?! I didn't think it was airing anywhere til June or July.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't think it was airing this soon, either. And I thought Ice Blues was supposed to come out first. But - surprise, surprise - there it was on my TV screen!

[lady529.livejournal.com]

*wants it*

*wants it NOW*

The Lady 529

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's terrific.

Are you able to find it in your area?

[lady529.livejournal.com]

Norway? Highly unlikely. Online from computer based in Norway? Probably, though not yet : ) It's too soon after it first having been shown. Unfortunately. The book's fab (read it a while ago) and from what you say it seems as the film is as well. I want it now.

The no kissing thing does ruin the mood a little, but still, cuteness is better than nothing, eh?

The Lady 529

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Their relationship is really sweet and it isn't that they aren't affectionate... I was just hoping for a little more.

[faylinn-drake.livejournal.com]

It's so frustrating that I can never seem to find anything that says 'The movie comes out on this day.' I'm amazed that you were able to get the channel in time to catch it!

It sounds good, but I'm curious as to why they'd put it out before "Ice Blues". Ah well, makes no difference to me. :P

No kiss? That's a disappointment. *sigh*

Since I'll probably have to wait for the DVD, I hope it will be out before too long. *wistful*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm amazed that you were able to get the channel in time to catch it!

It's due to Mlj user=maaseru>'s sharp eyes that we found out just in time to get it.

There are a few quick little kisses. Nothing long and sensuous, which was what I wanted.

[csi-niteowl.livejournal.com]

Sounds great!

I want to see it now too! *stomps feet*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You will see it eventually.

But it strikes me as weird how movies and TV shows are shown at such different times in different places.

We don't usually get anything first.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

<ENVY> ;-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It was great. Donald and Timmy are just wonderful.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

Rub it in, why don't you? LOL

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Awww, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Don't worry, you'll get to see it soon enough.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

I know. :-) And I'm just teasing you.

<hugs>

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I know how you fell. I feel the same way whenever my British friends talk about the many things that John Barrowman turns up in over there!

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

Speaking of John Barrowman, I saw De-Lovely for the first time a coupkle of weeks ago and noticed JB! That was a nice surprise.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I saw De-Lovely for the first time a couple of weeks ago and noticed JB! That was a nice surprise.

Isn't that a lovely role? And I loved it that his name in the movie was "Jack". Perfect. I was also furious with Cole Porter's wife for splitting them up - I never really forgave her for that.

When John Barrowman was on a British cooking show last week, he launched into a chorus of the song "De-Lovely" while mixing ingredients. I loved that.

And I like the way he sings "Night and Day". (With or without Kevin Kline.)

[lydia-petze.livejournal.com]

OMG jealous ;-))

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you're going to love it when you get to see it.

[aeneus.livejournal.com]

God, I'm so jealous! I can't for someone to upload it so I can see it :DDD

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You're going to enjoy it. Really. I totally adored all the scenes in which Timmy is looking perplexed. He does it so well!

[darth_begbie]

I'm so excited! I didn't realize it was already out. :)

Its a shame about the kiss. I love the books but the movies seem to have more of an emphasis on the romance between Donald and Timmy.

Thanks for posting the info. I'm definitely looking forward to watching it!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize it was already out.

It snuck up on us.

I love the books but the movies seem to have more of an emphasis on the romance between Donald and Timmy.

Yes, and I love that.

[jhava.livejournal.com]

Donald! Timmy!!! Oh how I've missed them. Now to try and track this down; someone out there has got to have a copy!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

If you can't find it anywhere I can mail you a copy. (Or find some way to get it to you.) It's really too lovely to miss!

[jhava.livejournal.com]

The little pixies spread out over the internet are already hard at work :D Hopefully within 24 hours we will have found a copy ;D Nothing can keep us away from our Timmy and Donald!! But thank you :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Timmy and Donald in the books are wonderful enough, with their wit, and their mutual understanding and and occasional loggerheads. But they're so well-cast in the movies (IMHO) that Donald and Timmy fit their own personalities perfectly. They're so totally delightful.

[itoshii-chan.livejournal.com]

O.M.F.G.!! O____________________O

IT'S AIRED ALREADY! *gasp*

I DIDN'T KNOOOOOOOOW!! >__________________<

I MISSED IT! T________________________T

I'M SO TOTALLY JEALOUS OF YOU GUYS!! *pouts*

I THOUGHT "ICE BLUES" WAS GONNA BE SHOWN FIRST, TOO!! *looks confused*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They took everyone by surprise with this one!