Part II: "No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed."

[riversabine]

One thing I hoped to do while I was in LA was to see a screening of "Possession." I'd been waiting for the movie for two years, so I thought it'd be cool to see an advanced screening. I found out that there would be a screening at LACMA with Neil LaBute to speak afterward. I was so excited and I actually got the last ticket:) So I went alone and sat in the back and waited for awhile, watching the other people shuffle in. I felt slightly out of place, but it also felt good to be there. The film itself, when separated from the book is beautiful. Separating them is difficult... I knew that the two hours of film couldn't possibly capture all of the essential moments of the book, so I adjusted my expectations accordingly. So with this in mind, I really enjoyed the film for what it was, an adaptation. I wish it could have been 5 hours long (A&E's Pride and Prejudice has spoiled me) with at least GP and the Victorian cast intact. I was very disappointed in the choice to make Roland American. LaBute spoke about that decision and said that he thought it created a greater tension, difference between Roland and Maud. I totally disagree. That would perhaps be a more obvious tension, but not dramatically more tenuous or satisfying. It was based too much on steorotype... almost made them seem caricaturized in some moments. It was unnecessary and for the most part I tried to ignore it;) The Victorian parts, however, were beautifully done. Just wished that there would have been more of them. Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam were perfectly Christabel and Ash, could ask for nothing more. I enjoyed the voice-overs of pieces of their correspondence read... particularly happy to have heard the "I have dreamed nightly of your face and walked the streets of my daily life with the rhythms of your writing singin in my silent brain..." among others... and the final scene was perfect. I could probably go on and on about it... can't talk about it enough;) The discussion with LaBute afterwards was really interesting, it was great to get that perspective. He was hysterical, I was cracking up the entire time. I wish I had more opportunities like that...

I saw Donnie Darko a few weeks ago and I have to say that I'm crazy about it... I feel that I need to watch it again, see if I can pick up on more now that I know how it's going to end. I'm really liking Jake Gyllenhaal lately; he did a fabulous job in this and hopefully, I'll see Moonlight Mile soon.