There is a viral video going around of Alan Rickman saying that basically says doing a monologue is not acting, it just shows that you can memorize. He further adds that ‘real acting’ is being in the moment, listening and reacting to other actors. I don’t know if I will agree with that, as I have just finished watching ‘Seawall/A Life,’ playing at The Hudson Theater on Broadway. It stars Jake Gylenhaal and Tom Sturridge each doing a monologue. I thought both were very well-written, and presented fully formed characters that I felt I knew after the evening.
The first act has Sturridge playing a young British photographer. Written by Simon Stephens (he wrote The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time ) Sturridge takes us from something light and funny to a darker place, and he does it effortlessly. The director, Carrie Cracknells gives this part a light touch, and when the second sad part comes, you ease into it almost unknowingly, and then you find yourself in the wallows. Of the two monologues, it is the one that shines better.
Jake Gylenhaal’s second act piece, ‘A Life,’ has less depth, but is showier. It also benefits from Gylenhaal’s star power – boy can this guy command the stage, as he has that undeniable charisma that will make you want to look at him, and look at him more. His piece centers on a young man experiencing the circle of life, experiencing the loss of his father as well as the birth of his child. Gylenhaal gives his all, and there is that much-talked about part where he goes into the audience and makes personal connection with them. Even if you are far from that row, you will feel he touched you too.
All in all, this is the kind of theater that will feel more like an experience, as these two actors present two variations of the young males at similar points in their lives. It’s not too deep, and certainly not shallow.
What business do I have watching ‘Spiderman: Far From Home?” I mean, I don’t follow these comic book movie, and I didn’t even see that mega hit Avengers. (Thank God by the way for that sequence int he beginning explaining major plot points from Avengers) But there are some compelling reasons that made me want to see this film. First of all, Tom Holland. I just have this major crush on him, and it doesn’t hurt that he has stage roots, playing Billy Elliott on the West End (have you guys checked out his dancing videos?) Add to this the fact that I will never resist a European vacation movie – and this is set in various cities, like Venice, Prague and London (among my top five favorites, by the way) And just to make it even more attractive, the film has Jake Gylenhaal, who is always a draw for me. So screw continuity problems, no one could stop me from seeing this opening weekend.
‘Wild Life’ is one of those movies that are a lot of things, but never feels crowded. It’s a story about a marriage and its disintegration. It’s a coming-of-age film. It’s a snapshot of life in a particular time (1960) in rural America. It’s all beautifully woven anchored by great performances, directed with grace by Paul Dano, sensitively written by hom and his girlfriend Zoe Kazan.
When I was talking to a friend when ‘Stronger’ first came out, and he said, ‘Isn’t this the kind of movie wherein you just know what is going to happen based on the story?’ and back then I agreed, and I believed it. I also remember seeing the previews for this so much that I felt I had already seen the movie.
I have fond admiration for a lot of Tom Ford’s work: his designs in fashion aren’t a;ways for me, but there’s no doubt they are all beautiful. His perfumes, aesthetic-wise, all match mine, or what I aspire for, since I cannot afford all of them. And he’s a fellow Virgo, so in my head we are kindred spirits. I of course have been wanting to see ‘Nocturnal Animals,’ his latest directorial effort after ‘A Single Man’ from 2009.
Luha Thoughts 