I waited almost two years for the movie to come out. First, the international release in November. Then they teased the US with it in December. January. They teased me with it on Valentine’s day. Finally, the last tease — April. I was excited; ready for it. I had my movie buddy ready to go. It was a good afternoon with breezy weather and enjoyable company. I was ready.
Today, I’ll be the first to admit (though unwillingly) certain things: It just wasn’t as good as his other work. I missed seeing proof of Chris Doyle. The dialogue didn’t translate well. Norah Jones is a beautiful singer, she looked beautiful and innocent and lovely, the camera loves her — but she needs acting lessons. I learned more about the roadside characters than I did about Elizabeth. Jude Law is the poor man’s Ewan (but still just as good to look at, even better to feel sorry for). I’ve been an admirer of Portman (still am) since The Professional. It intensified into a crush with Garden State… but I think this movie was when I grew up and left her behind.
And then there are certain things about the movie (or the director) that I will forever stand behind: The director knows how to use his colors. He just knows: they always look good, they always translate — even if it wasn’t Doyle, it still worked for me. He knows his music-to-emotion ratio. When she’s watching the video, and the arrangement of Yumeji’s Theme came on — I just about lost it. I had heard the soundtrack before, I knew it was going to be in there. But coupled with what was going on at the time and how I was feeling… Let’s just say the whole theater heard me gasp. Arnie’s story made me so emotional that when Sue Lynne began her monologue on how they met, I found myself wiping away tears.
It’s just one of those things, you know? How comic book fans wait for the next DC/Marvel creation to come out. How photographers wait eagerly in the darkroom for their film to develop. How bakers hover over the oven, watching the dough rise. It wasn’t my creation persay, but somehow I feel like I’ve put in just as much waiting for it as he has making it. (somehow I don’t think that made sense or translated…).
Now what’s next? I don’t have anything to look forward to at the moment. My Blueberry Nights was my goal for a long time. I’ve reached it. “I Travelled 9000 km To Give It To You” is a short he did — I’ve been hunting for it. If you happen to see it, share?
