Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Summer Hours/Oswego Days

I was just in NYC this weekend and I can't believe I missed seeing Summer Hours, an apparently wonderful story about three French siblings dealing with the disposition of their mother's estate. Kate told me about it Sunday night (too late for me to see given my upstate schedule), and then another friend told me about it today. I now have it as one of my highest priorities on my next movies' list.

In lieu of seeing it, I went to the reviews. A.G. Scott's NY Times review is a rave and other reviews I've found are similar in their high praise. Scott notes that "one of Mr. Assayas’s themes is the way that inanimate things accrue value, sentimental and otherwise — the curious alchemy that transforms certain objects into art."

I also loved this article (and not just for its title) -- Familial Bric a Brac by Dennis Lim -- in a Summer Movies summary back in May.

I wish we could all see Summer Hours before we start the Oswego meetings, but whether we see it before or after (or never), it's nice to know that someone has taken the care to explore how to deal with the emotions of "life goes on" with grace and intelligence.

It can be either homework or vindication.

PS: I tried to get it on Netflix, but it's a new release and while they know about it, they can;t supply it yet. If anybody has any ideas about how to get a DVD or live stream copy before next weekend, let's hear 'em.

7 comments:

Kate C. said...

It is on IFC on demand, but my VCR seems to be broken. I am going to see if Neilson can figure out how to fix it.

Trish said...

That's great news, Kate. Good Luck with the VCR

Molly said...

I just found out that is is actually playing at a theater in San Antonio! I am planning to go see it this week.

Kate C. said...

It is not looking too good for the VCR. A tape is now stuck it in and it won't play. But I'll try again in the morning.

Kate C. said...

Ok, I think I'm going to be able to tape it. My VCR is shot, I think, but I remembered I could bring down the little tv from upstairs, which has a VCR built in. It may not be a high quality recording.

Molly said...

I also found it ondemand, and Jerry and I are planning on watching it tonight. I will try to tape it and send it priority to Oswego.

Kate C. said...

I got it taped Molly. Don't worry about sending it. But thanks for the thought.