We Do Things: Movie Night

Last week Jackers expressed interest in seeing Synecdoche, New York. I enjoy Charlie Kaufman’s work because it’s heartfelt and absurd.  Throw in a local reference and I’m sold so last night a bunch of us went to the Spectrum and took advantage of cheap ticket Tuesday.  (In the interest of full disclosure I admit that we are not ideal movie-goers: we smuggle booze, prefer to be alone in the theater so we can smoke and have been known to fall asleep and snore.  In other words, Netflix more than pays for itself with the money we save on bail.)  As the opening credits rolled I felt around for my wallet but it wasn’t there.  Having already had drinks at home it was just eye-rollingly typical that I’d lost something.  Panic mode set in.   “What’s wrong?”  PDA whispered, his eyes on the screen.  “My wallet’s missing.  I can’t find it anywhere.”  “I’m sure it’s somewhere.  We’ll get it after the movie.”  “But I just had it.  I think I left it at the snack counter.”  “Then it will be there later.  Relax.”  “What if I dropped it and someone grabs it??” PDA sighed deeply, gave me his best angry dad look, hissed, “You are the absolute worst,” and stood up to go to the lobby (love him.)  He returned frowning five seconds later, “It isn’t up there.”  “Did you ask?”  “I ASKED.  Look again.” I patted my pockets, this time immediately landing on my wallet.  “Oh, here it is.  Sorry.”  I smiled at him as hard as I possibly could, but only for a moment because Synecdoche, New York is a movie that demands attention.  I didn’t want it to end; every scene is so beautifully realized that you become totally absorbed into the world of the story (whether you know what’s going on or otherwise.)  I’m not a movie critic so I won’t go any further than to say Charlie Kaufman fans will not be disappointed.  I am, however, a self-critic and will make it a point to take it easy on the cocktails before going to the movies in the future.