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Popcorn at the ready

Saturday, 8th September 2007

Like a fair part of the rest of the country, it seems, I'm heading to see Atonement tonight. (As I haven't read the book or the reviews, I'll be going in with a more or less open mind.) So why do I have this sense of foreboding? Because it might turn out to be another of those over-hyped cinematic disappointments. I hope it's not an omen that Matthew d'Ancona compared the buzz to the drawing-power of The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love, because I loathed both of them. And then, as I've said many times before, there was the pain of sitting through Casino Royale, I Love The Huckabees, American Beauty, The History Boys, etc, etc. But, really, The English Patient has long been my choice as The 20th Century's Most Irritating Film. Nothing comes close.

Which gives me all the excuse I need to run this movieplex scene from Seinfeld. (Apologies if you've already heard about it on my old blog.) We watched the show again last week, for the eighth time or thereabouts, and were still bowled over by the supreme silliness of the writing. Of all the episodes, it's probably the very best.

I often wonder why I usually don't like the big must-see movies. It's usually the script that jars most. Would A really do that to B? And would C say that to D? TV drama seems a lot more satisfying on that basic level. Although I must admit, I sometimes wonder if I'm just being as literal-minded as dear old Elaine:

WAITRESS: Rough night?
ELAINE: Ugh. You wouldn't believe it. My boyfriend dumped me. My friends, who I don't even like, they won't talk to me. [Face-pulling] All because I don't like that stupid "English Patient" movie.
WAITRESS: Really? I thought it was pretty good.
ELAINE: Oh, come on. Good? What was good about it? [Scoffs] Those sex scenes! I mean, please! Gimme something I can use!