Comments | espresso_addict: Close your eyes?

espresso_addict

Close your eyes?

Feb 25, 2006 03:25

I wasn't going to write anything about Close My Eyes (which I rented in my Rickman retro), but then I realised that it's actually on tomorrow (Sunday) in the BBC4 Stephen Poliakoff season (aka puff for his latest, Gideon's Daughter, also on Sunday). ( Brief rant under the cut )

film, review

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altariel February 25 2006, 09:30:18 UTC

Am Poliakoff-averse, for no good reason based on, say, having watched any of his stuff. What did you hate about The Line of Beauty (which I thought was brilliant)?

espresso_addict February 25 2006, 12:36:01 UTC

What did you hate about The Line of Beauty (which I thought was brilliant)?

It's more a case of what didn't I? It was an instinctive repulsion rather than anything reasoned; it took me four days to read because I had to force myself to keep going, though I usually enjoy Hollinghurst. I wonder if Nick at the beginning came rather too close to self-identification without being empathetic? Why did you think it brilliant?

altariel February 27 2006, 10:05:25 UTC

I thought it was magnificently written, both the language and the pace of the unfolding of the tragedy. I thought the moment when 'The Lady' finally arrived at the house was one of the funniest things I've read in ages. I thought it nailed hypocrisies about class and sex, and the seductiveness of power.

espresso_addict February 27 2006, 14:42:06 UTC

The set piece round the lady arriving was one of the high points; I also liked the tea with the council worker's mother, and especially the contrast between the two. I ought to try it again when I'm feeling a bit more awake. I read it back to back with American Gods & HBP, and shocked myself by liking HBP much the best of the three.

altariel February 27 2006, 15:11:28 UTC

It was one of my reading highlights of last year. I think it deserves careful reading.

Haven't read American Gods yet, although it's filtering to the top of my various bookpiles.

espresso_addict February 27 2006, 15:21:01 UTC

I enjoyed American Gods in parts, though not quite the parts I might have expected to; it rambles on a bit. I suppose the same could be said of HBP.

altariel February 27 2006, 15:26:29 UTC

I might take it for the flight to Rome.

Lovely icon!

espresso_addict February 27 2006, 15:36:59 UTC

It's by Red Scharlach; the complete image is even more gorgeous.

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