Three films, two people, and one day… at the LA FILM FESTIVAL.

Written by Adam Schomer and Ann Kowaleski on Tuesday, 30 June 2009 23:51

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Three films, two people, and one day… at the LA FILM FESTIVAL.
Harmony and Me
No Impact Man
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This LA FILM FESTIVAL movie romp takes us through three distinct independent movies and genres: Mid Afternoon Lunch (Italian slice of life comedy), Harmony and Me (Love sick semi-improvised comedy), and No Impact Man (One family’s real life Eco-Documentary). All were funny, which helped pull Ann (my lovely woman) and I through a wonderful evening of film. I gave the first film a Good (3) rating and so did Ann, but by the end of the night Ann wanted to downgrade it to a Poor (2) - that means the films get better as this article jumps onward.
Mid-August-Lunch

      It was a slow start to the day, hanging out with four old Italian women in Mid Afternoon Lunch, but it garnered enough passion to get me eager to swirl a glass of Pinot Grigio for my approaching post film meandering. It’s hard not to desire just even a sip, as our main character Gianni drinks enough wine to inspire a new fraternity drinking game, and deservedly so as he has to deal with four old women, even if it is just for one day.
      In his somewhat forced circumstance of elder sitting, there are plenty of funny moments and a few of life's hiccups, but basically we find ourselves back where we began. Except in the end we appreciate each other’s intrinsic charisma and take a few more moments to be grateful. You might say that we find ourselves reminded that we are who we are, good or bad, and that we like to share that with others… what else is life for? As you will see, Ann and I have differing views on this film:

Adam: I loved seeing the wonderful slowness, customs, and subtleness of Italian life and charm. Everyone is so kiss kiss, familiar, and yet so wonderfully covering their true sentiments. Old women are such brilliant bullshitters.
Ann: Wonderful customs?! I remember a man jamming his hands down Gianni’s pants. I was thinking “Is this going to go twist into a homosexual plot?" It did not, as the guy ends up being a doctor… That’s as exciting and shocking as it got.
Adam: Maybe that is the custom in smaller Italian towns? To just shove your hands down the pants and say cough. It’s an interesting move.
Ann: The only movement in the movie was the fact that it wasn’t shot with a steady cam.
Adam: Yikes! Well, I liked every character. The little interactions were enough for me to enjoy watching. For the first film of our day I’d say it was not so moving, but enjoyable, and touching a couple times if you let it be.
Ann: True. And you know, for four old women I guess some simple meals, wine, and coming together as ladies again is something of an event. It does tend to remind us to not only enjoy the simple pleasures of food and wine, but also the need for community and the need to feel special somewhere.
Adam: It did make me think of how we treat our elder parents in our country. (Note: In this film, every old person lives with their child, and they all want to pawn their moms off on Gianni so that they can have a moments peace away… kind of opposite to the USA where we only take the moments to visit.)
Ann: It’s a tough place when you are a caretaker of an older person… I am sure you want to get away.
      After the film, Ann and I stole away to Damon’s and Pythian’s (in Westwood right next to the Regent theatre) for a nice warm sandwich and perfect glass of Pinot Grigio. I’m telling you that you will want to drink after this film.

Website: http://www.pranzodiferragosto.it/

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 July 2009 11:06 )