Friday night is film night
Choosing your viewing could become more emotionally fulfilling than you had ever expected
January blues?
It’s dark outside, there is nothing uplifting on TV and you have so much stuff to chose from on any number of streaming channels, you have forgotten what good looks like and lost the will to live; drowning in a sea of choice, you need somebody too make a decision for you; something that will please you, something that will be uplifting, not draining; a couple of hours max, a self contained experience, a box office event; as opposed to a multi episode drama binge-fest; yes, the Oscar nominations are out, and I’m talking about a Film being what you need tonight
Yes that will be you, sat on the sofa looking at the screen with that remote in your hand tonight; you, yes a film is what you need and a film is what you will get; not just any old film; but the best film; the film that you love, the film that your partner loves too, that’s what you need and that’s what you deserve.
So how do you decide which film will tick the boxes for you both?
Well, why not try the routine below with your partner tonight; if you are like us, then finding a film that ticks all the boxes for both of you is not always easy, I know that, but hear me out, just this once, because a solution is at hand.
Each take a couple of pieces of paper and a pen, get a drink and relax; sit opposite each other and think about your favourites; write them down; don’t show or share; this is your choice; think about your top three or your top five; space them out on the sheet; tear them into strips of each film and once complete, fold each film up and put it in the middle of the table; each do the same number and jumble up the folded paper parcels.
Take it in turns to open one up and read them out; listen to each other, if any film is in there twice, then that’s the film your watching tonight; if a film is met with joy and acceptable to both, it goes back in the pot; if one of you definitely won’t watch a film, it’s discarded.
What are you left with?
One film you both love? then watch it, two or more films you could both live with? then draw again and repeat the exercise until you are both agreed on the film.
It may seem laborious, but there is something to be said for thinking and writing out ones preferences; it validates your choices and chrysalises the enjoyment in the knowledge that a process of elimination has led to a positive outcome for mutual benefit.
Full disclosure; we did this on New Years Eve; everyone had gone home, we were exhausted, we wanted a film and silence; this was the golden ticket.
No, nobody picked Willy Wonka, but it worked for us and it could work for you; but you must firstly agree you are going to follow the process; we need commitment to the cause; we all want the same thing here and enjoying each others choices is a great way to start any year.
I will leave you with our choices and triumphant winner; age is a factor obviously so apologies to the younger readers who have probably never heard of half of these….
The Apartment - it was inevitable there would be at least something with Jack Lemmon on the shortlist; this 1960 classic on how not to climb the corporate ladder is required viewing for all flat-sharing aspiring executives in these Trump times.
Annie Hall - I have to admit this is one of mine; an all-time 1977 favourite but somewhat taboo now that we don’t talk about Woody Allen the way we used to; the subtitles on the apartment balcony exchange after the tennis, classic.
The Godfather - part 1, 2 or even 3; the answer is, all are equally fabulous and offer so many possibilities; something for everyone here and I guess the Diane Keaton link is a giveaway too. Probably too big to fit the brief, plenty here for another two or three nights though.
Sweet Charity - Shirley Maclaine in 1969 knew love was what it was all about; more disappointment and dancing to find romance and the right partner; another voice that ties into the common themes of our six movies; underling how this process will find you a film you both want to watch right now.
Scandal - it’s extremely tempting to roll out the lazy hazy days of summer, even though the truth behind this highly polished 60’s propaganda fest is anything but romantic; it’s temping with a fabulous cast and soundtrack; but no, there can only be one winner, and it was agreed unanimously after the first six where out of the bag…
Brief Encounter - Celia Howard at her best as Laura the bored housewife returning from a shopping trip and meeting Dr Alex Harvey; quite by chance, in it’s time, a shocking storyline of deceit and suburban dishonour; short and easy to navigate, tragic and romantic in equal measure, we still know every word and so I guess this film has really run the test of time for us.
So of course, in the end, we had to watch Brief Encounter; yes like most of our list, it is from a bygone era and it takes us back to a long long time ago; more so than any other film it reminds us of a moment in time; and that is why we love it.
Sat with a bottle of Fleurie and some brie and crackers, watching on a tv set no larger than a handbag, crammed into a studio flat in Didsbury; suit hung up and ready for another crazy day in advertising the next morning; that was that moment; probably forty years ago; but that’s another story.
You of course don’t have to go back to a 1985, never mind 1945 and a David Lean classic; you can watch something much more relevant and recent; so grab your popcorn and scribble down your favourite films; make your choices and sit back and enjoy!
You Can (watch) anything
Thanks for reading You Can Do Anything and being part of the unconventional flock; the fact you stopped by and joined us means a lot to me; feel free to sign up to my weekly free ramblings, even better, you can share or leave below; it’s always good to hear from you; what will you be watching tonight?