Gay, Kaufman, Old Navy Taxi
posted on december 18, 2002, tag: entertainment
Just before viewing Adaptation: Guy sitting to the right of me, talking to his female friend. Conversation ranges from his "art" to her intense enjoyment of Björk's vidoes, some of which "can't be seen on television, but are just brilliant." Moments later, Guy says that a friend of his is having a bit of trouble with his husband. You see, they only support same-sex marriages in Vermont and Hawaii, and, well, "Brian and Tom have residence in New York and Connecticut, but not in Vermont." So, you see, ironicly they're currently fighting the system here in New York. They want the courts here to recognize same-sex marriages. But not because they want to be viewed as a regular married couple, but because they don't. "They're fighting the system to have the state recognize their gay divorce."
Adaptation: Being John Malkovich was an excellent film. For the first 45 minutes. Then it went downhill. Adaptation was exactly the opposite: excellent until the last 45 minutes. That aside, the film was unique and funny, interesting and depressing all at the same time. The idea of writing a screenplay about yourself writing a screenplay was done quite well. The ironic issue of this film, though, is Kaufman's insistance (in the film) that he doesn't want to make a "Hollywood" movie. It's unfortunate that this is exactly what Adaptation becomes in the last 45 minutes. It was going so well, and then, well, it missed a step and couldn't recover. Then again, perhaps this is exactly what Kaufman wanted. I have to give kudos to Susan Orlean, however, for allowing herself to be portrayed the way she was in this film, because it isn't flattering at all and actually quite horrible at times. Worth seeing, but not if you have to travel.
After viewing Adaptation, in NYC Taxi number 1N56: Sometimes advertising executives come up with a new idea, one that is sure to make people like you and me curious as to what they were drinking at the meeting. Katia and I hopped into the backseat of the cab, only to find it covered in red fleece. In the center of the red seat, on the back, was a large patch sewn into place exclaiming, "Old Navy Performace Fleece!" The cab driver, in response to why his seat isn't covered: "I dunno... apparently they felt I didn't need it." That makes sense... someone who sits on their ass all day really doesn't need the soft touch of fleece down there. In fact, they shouldn't really even give him a cushion at all.
Comments
There are 8 comments, comments are closed
Shawn on 12/18/2002:
Correction: Being John Malkovich was brilliant from start to finish. Check your facts buddy!
Garrett on 12/18/2002:
Right, and Magnolia is the best film ever, and Pulp Fiction is masturbatory and oh, God, how I loved What Fades to Purple!
Christ in a blender!
Shawn on 12/19/2002:
I think I've actually said that outloud at one point. So, yes.
Paige on 12/19/2002:
Hey, don't talk smack about What Fades to Purple...that was quite possibly the funniest movie I've ever seen.
Garrett on 12/19/2002:
But it wasn't a comedy. That hurts me inside.
Shawn on 12/19/2002:
It should be noted that I was also hurt by that. Unless you laughed at the funny parts. Then I'm not. Otherwise I'm crying. That kind of crying where you start whining nonsensically. Otherwise not. But if so: crying.
atkins diet on 11/17/2003:
Interesting post.
poetry on 01/04/2004:
I thought the film becoming 'hollywood' in the last 45 minutes worked well under conditions of the plot: as the screenplay's writing became more and more frustrating, the influence of Kaufman's brother comes in more and more... I think a couple of suggestions the brother made offhand earlier in the film actually do happen toward the end. That's funny.