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| Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps in Phantom Thread superbly written & directed by Paul Thomas Anderson |
With all the unpleasantness going on in the world, uplifting Artistic Expression becomes even more important. I know 'Blogging' is so 2014 with far more superficial social media platforms now in vogue requiring far less effort and even more self aggrandizement yet we're astonished at the traffic the Den still generates even with our recent inactivity thus we feel duty bound to throw a bone to those that still seek GSL's guidance on the Ways of the World.
Today we introduce you to the greatest first meeting in the History of Cinema. It's The Hungry Boy scene from Phantom Thread the Den wrote about here. You may also recall, being Hopeless Romantics, we do not encourage May-December couplings however sometimes they actually do work and when they do it's because Cupid, feeling merciful, arranges for two peculiar souls to rescue each other from a life of silent misery and seeing that process unfold despite some adversity is beautiful to behold.
Just a word of caution on Phantom Thread. It's not a popcorn movie. You need to be in a 'curl up by the fire with a good book' mood to really appreciate its full effect. My guess is having The Love of Your Life or a dear lifelong friend to share it with would make it even more special. I would compare PT to Julian Barne's excellent novella The Sense of An Ending which, when I read the first time, was preoccupied, so never really connected. A couple months later, I gave it another go and loved it and even more the 3rd time.
You'd be right to assume GSL has sugar-plum visions of ordering Welsh Rabbit...and some sausages.
Wouldnt it be nice to have that kind of time on your hands! I quite like Daniel Day Lewis♡
ReplyDeleteWell if there's one thing this awful year has created, it's time...unless you are so essential, you don't have a couple quiet hours to nourish your soul?
DeleteI hope a small window in your calendar does soon open up so you can thank GSL later.
Why, this must be an auspicious day, GSL, as you've popped up twice now! I fully agree with you that PT is best appreciated in the company of a Loved One and, indeed, it was your earlier favourable review of the film that drew me to comment within the Den's pages for the first time.
ReplyDeleteFurther investigation has led to my discovery that you are a published author. How did I not know or remember that?? A bit more rummaging about hasn't furnished me with any further details and I should be well pleased to be able to read something penned by your capable hand. My catholic reading taste does include Books for Young Ones!
It seems all my kindreds are hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Your latest post had me acquiring my next trip to London; at least in book form. I'd be delighted to send you a book if you have someone around 6 to 8yo to share it with. I'll DM you this week for details.
DeleteThat's too kind of you, GSL! I shall look forward to hearing from you.
DeleteHello, Long-away and Far-ago Friend,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see your words on the page, and to lean into that sharp, discerning gaze of yours, which'll never steer us wrong. We've seemed to have TIME of late, but it somedays feels filled with more than the hours are. I have hoped you've been well, and here you are, in seeming fine fettle despite the long parting and the tenor of our days, with all the precautions and cautionary tales and missing so much of our former lives. We've had quite the couple of years, and we've weathered and accepted and labored and cared, with the last six months a day-and-night blur of many things, with a finality that still leaves us reeling and worn. I'm so glad to hear from an old friend, albeit unmet, but congenial and kind. We're hanging in there, so to speak, taking day by day, unusual for our usual selves, but are slowly emerging from a bit of the foggy NOW.
We'd love to hear all your adventures and travels and the so-welcome everyday NORMAL of things---whatever it be. Our days are a bit slow, spinning lazily along like cool syrup from a too-small spout, and we've been physically well through all this having stuff delivered and dressing like beekeepers just to circle the block. I've traded my genie-wish for a Tardis to an ION shower. Do let us hear from you if you're able/available/inclined. We think of you often and wish you well.
ganjin042@gmail.com
Thank you so much for checking in Dear Rachel and while you well know how humility doesn't come easily to GSL, I am never less than flattered and delighted to see your high-toned homespun prose grace The Den's comment section.
DeleteWhen it comes to uplifting Artistic Expression, your rendering of family picnics are every bit as satisfying as Evelyn Waugh's accounts of Bright Young Things.
I'm in the process of making some major decisions on what to do next and where and every day it seems I change my mind. Hopefully all will become clear soon and I'll check in with where I'm going and how I'll get there.
I hope you and yours are well.
G
I so hope you are keeping well and warm, Faraway Friend. If you're ever inclined to give a little shout, my e-mail is still ganjin042@gmail.com (that's a zero)
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