Once in awhile V will see a movie with a friend. I’m pretty sure this is what happens: One of them mentions a movie he’d like to see. The other guy says “let’s go see it.” And they go. End of story.
V will also go to movies alone. Although mostly we go together. The minute I’m in the mix, things get trickier. I’m picky. I don’t like violent movies. I don’t like to go the first night a movie opens. I have to be in the right mood. No matter what movie I pick, V says fine, even if he’s seen it already. Even if he saw it the night before.
That’s movie night on Mars.
Things are different on Venus. I often go with friends too, but there’s more conversation involved, especially with a group. Planning what movie to see can take longer than seeing it. The way deciding where to eat lunch can take longer than eating it.
Take last night. About a week ago, Myra and I discussed seeing a movie, and put together the usual group of 4 who go to chick flicks every once in awhile. Finding a night that worked involved a flurry of emails and cancellation of a meeting. And this was before we got to the movie selection.
By the time we settled on the night, it was already Monday and over the weekend, Myra and I had both seen movies. Different ones, of course. I’m not naming names— but one of us, unlike her husband, is NOT willing to see the same movie she saw 48 hours ago. So the movie choice involved quite a bit of negotiation. One movie was too sad. One was too scary. One was animated. One got only lukewarm reviews.
At some point, dinner entered the conversation. Although that was the easy part since there are acceptable restaurants right by the theaters. Which brings up the most embarrassing part of this entire process. We don’t live in Manhattan with a myriad of choices. We live in a town with exactly TWO theater complexes to choose from. Still it might be easier to negotiate peace in the Mideast.
The day before our movie night, I was out of town and out of contact. I lost track of the email thread but the decision was made while I was gone. I woke up yesterday morning and got the message telling me the plan for movie night.
Ready for this? We met for dinner and skipped the movie altogether.
(P.S. We had a great time. And considering how long it took us to decide on our dinner order, we would never have made it to a movie on time anyway.)
There is nothing better than good friends, good food and good conversation…..no movie needed!
Make sure you see the new Woody Allen/Larry David movie. One of Woody’s best by far.
And at dinner, I would assume, items were ordered from the menue with with many unique variations 🙂
I love movies, but, going to them, with really great friends who have “communication chemistry” beats a movie anytime. Ya can’t talk to each other in a movie. I actually like going alone sometimes like V.
You’re all right.
Ruthie: It’s impossible to order from a menu without alterations.
Ron: I’ll probably see the Woody Allen movie this weekend—which might involve telling my Woody Allen story someday soon.
Karen and Deborah: No movie….in fact,NOTHING…beats good food and a good time with friends!
I’m just curious where you ate!?!
Nowhere near a movie theater: Luca in Carmel.
Let us know how you liked “Whatever Works” and do share your Woody Allen story with us.