Whew! I shouldn't feel winded but yet, after watching the film Intolerable Cruelty as part of our foray into the Coen bros. film canon via chronology, I felt as if I had run a marathon; a long winded, ever extending cramp-hydrate-cramp-shit yourself-push on through marathon. Of course this was not helped in the slightest by the fact that for some reason while watching this film I had a craving I had not felt since......[dramatic turn as my cape flows behind me and John Williams continues to underscore my life]
Cravings are one of the strangest experiences of being human. You spend a large portion of your adult life building up tolerances against most of the cravings in your life. Perhaps this may stem from repressed Catholic guilt (yes); perhaps this may be more of a fat kid-to-thin-kid existential struggle that only ends in tragedy (likely); perhaps it can even be something sexual?!? (if so, please consult a physician). And the hardest cravings are sugar related. Wonderful sugar related bliss inducing cravings.
So, as I was enduring Intolerable Cruelty the only way I could counter balance my feelings to turn off the film (and it was tough, very, very tough) I compensated with the indulgence of an old friend. I paused the film and went to go get a pack of Oreo at the store. Those unfamiliar with this wonderful cookie devil product should google right away (it's alright, I'll wait for you...go ahead, I have things to read....). Got it? Yes, as you can see just by product description that in engaging with the Oreo cookie your day and/or night will be instantly ruined. But damn it, I needed something to get me through the film!
So maybe I am being a little rough on Intolerable Cruelty. Its just so odd in the chronological order of the Coen's film life. This story about divorce and emotions had the opportunity to be the Coen's first foray into social commentary with a wonderfully dark, satiric, biting slant on our inter and intra personal relationships. Instead, we get a romantic comedy that they try to apply their sensibilities towards, and smattering of fantastic dialogue here and there are the only indications that this is a Coen film-- No dynamic camera, no eccentric character performances, and probably some of the most awkward music for a film ever. I always like to see artists take chances, but this wasn't taking a chance, it was trying to fit a square piece in a round hole, and the forced nature of it shows horribly.
So perhaps in the end, the Oreo was necessary to teach me a lesson that if I am going to torture myself, I need to always do so in full mind,body, and spirit. Let's just not make a habit of it, shall we? Okay-dokey.
As always, if you feel like taking the plunge, please leave comments to me about it on twitter @jldprod2002 or here at the blog. I will post about the next film soon, as it may not come this upcoming weekend due to schedules and what not.
I think the Coens are in a position where they make lazy, indulgent projects in between the Oscar-winning beauties. All the greats do it. (PS I'm having a very sugary cake as I type this).
ReplyDeleteAnother position was pointed out to me by my friend who is watching the films with me. He thinks that they are following what he defines as the "Steven Soderbergh" model of make a successful film(s) and then make one that you want to make. The most perplexing thing about the Coens (although I think it is an enjoyable quagmire) is that they do indeed continue to make the same kinds of films (essentially a scheme or plan goes wrong is the main idea), but yet find an amazing amount of success in execution and style, and when it is firing on all cylinders it is really enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of sugary cake? I always need new emergency treat ideas for films that go south on me.