Thursday, September 10, 2009

Two Lovers



Finally saw Two Lovers on dvd and enjoyed it, but completely understand why it probably didn't make much money. Too strange, too depressing, lots of mumbling by Joaquin Phoenix, a full blown crackpot and one of my favorite actors (the two go hand in hand, I'm afraid), and lots of moody dark shots of claustrophobic interiors, much like real life. The plot comes from a Dostoevsky story -- dufus guy is in love with two women, one nice, one nuts and guess which one he really loves. Yep, the nut. In this case, the nut is named Michelle played by Gwyneth Paltrow in one of her more interesting roles. She does a great job playing the damaged, beautiful girl, the one men want to rescue. Guess what? She's not that easy to rescue.

What is so attractive about damage? I'm not sure, but it's what men complain about when they say women never want a nice guy, the want a hooligan, a bad boy. This is what women complain about when they have guy friends who never think of them "in that way." Both genders occasionally dabble in the best friend who is in love with them and whom they abuse mightily or feel horribly guilty about or just pretend it isn't so. The stuff of longing, jukeboxes, cards, and late nights choked with longing.

Michelle's Spell of the Day
"This is what happened in love. One of you cried a lot and then both of you grew sarcastic." Lorrie Moore

Cocktail Hour
Drinking picture to come: I have received my first Halloween gift already, people! Yes, it's cool. No, it's not too early.

Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Thursday!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I still remember Woody Allen's main character in "Matchpoint" reading Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" at the beginning of the film. One of the great movie foreshadowings of all time. But you have to know C&P to get it.--Oscar Winner

the walking man said...

Seeing as how I don't know anybody without damage I don't try to rescue anyone. Better to simply take the ride and see if the hitchhiker can be accommodated for a time.

Anonymous said...

What is so attractive about damage?

Excitement baby! Dating a damaged person is like riding a never-ending roller coaster! Initially, the electric thrill runs through you and you can't stop screaming! Later, you throw up a lot and wonder when it is going to end.

I remember a freaky girl I met in a bar. Our second date was me getting a phone call from the Libertyville, IL police department, informing me that she was in jail on a DUI and maybe I should come bail her out for $50 bucks. I did so and practically carried her home. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Two years later, I broke up with her and married an accountant.

And I never regretted any of it.

Just remember: Marry the accountant.

Anonymous said...

Pray for Notre Dame. They will need prayers against Michigan tomorrow in the Big House. MMMMMMMeeeeeechigan!!!!! THE GUTS AND GLUE OF THE MAIZE AND BLUE!!!!!--Bob Ufer

Charles Gramlich said...

I've had the "rescue" urge in the past. It never worked out well.

Joe said...

I'm guilty of rescuing damaged goods...

But I've also been a salvage project on more than one occasion.

Nice boots, by the way.

Anonymous said...

myCajunQ
FoxlyLadyD
ROckinMamainBoots
BrownNBlack
OMightyEyes
R2C2Shazammm!!!!!

chris said...

Went through the damaged woman department in my early 20s to early 30s. I got rid of the crazy bitch.

I have been with Sue for 10 years now and we really haven't had a loud fight yet. I let her know and she let me know as well that we could get along or live without each other, I guess it worked.

jodi said...

Hello Michelle, If damage can be related to the baggage we all carry around, then aren't we with pasts and histories ALL damaged? It's the way we handle and present ourselves that allow the true "damage" to be seen. P.S. Love your 'Tiny Texan' nod! xoxo

Anonymous said...

MMMMMMeeeeechigan wins in a stunning come-from-behind victory over 18th-ranked Notre Dame!!! Hail to the Victors!!! The GUTS AND GLUE OF THE MAIZE AND BLUE!!!--Bob Ufer