Friday, March 14, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Moral Decay in the West End: Sargent & Victor & Me
I had a chance to go check out Theatre Projects Manitoba's presentation of Sargent & Victor & Me Tuesday night at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film at the University of Winnipeg. This blog post is an assignment for my Journalism class.
Some background information on the play: It's a one-woman show, written and performed by Debbie Patterson (and directed by her husband, Arne MacPherson). Patterson, who has multiple sclerosis, plays a number of different characters congregating around a food bank near the West End cross-street of Sargent and Victor.
The play centres around Gillian, a woman based on Patterson. Gillian is bitter about having MS, and spends a lot of time reminiscing about what the disease has cost her. Along the way we meet a pastor, two senior citizens, a 7-year-old-girl, and Gillian's brother Bob, all played by Patterson. We also meet a 15-year-old aboriginal girl named Theresa, who is a member of the 'Gangster Crips'.
Patterson uses the setting of the food bank to explore different attitudes surrounding the beat up West End neighbourhood. Not surprisingly, most of these attitudes are negative. The people there either feel persecuted unfairly by the police (Bob), they're giving away chocolate to volunteers but not the no-good-homeless-folks (Fred), they're incredibly racist and old-fashioned (the senior citizens Tom and Sharon), or they're a seven-year-old that somehow manages to come off as bitchy.
I was repulsed by all of these characters. They had few, if any redeeming qualities. I don't say this as a criticism. The fact that Patterson was able to fully inhabit all of these persona's and get me to hate them was remarkable.
In an interview I read before seeing the play, Patterson says that she was trying to use her MS as a metaphor for the decline of the neighbourhood in which the play is set. While this is effective, I found the moral decay of her characters to be a better parallel for the neighbourhoods struggles. Maybe it's not the aboriginals or the child gangs or the crooked cops that's ruining the West End. Maybe it's the cynicism and hatred spewing from the "good" residents that's the problem.
The most interesting character in the play is definitely the 15-year-old Theresa. Theresa was raped, beaten, left for dead more than once. She lived with a mother who sniffed gas instead of collecting welfare to feed her children. Theresa became addicted to drugs and fell into a gang.
While on the surface, this type of person might seem to be the problem in an impoverished neighbourhood, Theresa is the only character that displays any redeeming qualities. She shows compassion to Gillian, helping her up off the concrete in a moment of need. We hear about the mistakes that she's made, but we see why she's made them. She's a fully developed, complex character, but her and "her kind" are painted out to be nothing more than lazy gangbangers.
The juxtaposition between Theresa and her neighbours works beautifully to illustrate Patterson's point that there's more to people than what one see's on the surface.
The only problem I had with the play was with those other people. They're presented in only one dimension, as ugly, racist, vile people. They're painted with black hats. In a play that seems to tell us that people are complex and we don't know their entire story, I felt as though these characters were too one-dimensional. Patterson writes that we all have broken minds or broken bodies — her characters seem to have broken souls.
While I've seen tons of plays over the years, this was the first time I've ever been to a one-person play. I was expecting little-to-no movement, basically a series of monologues that would be broken up noticeably. I was pleasantly surprised when the play started. Patterson makes seamless transitions from character to character without missing a beat. In order to keep the audience aware of who exactly is speaking, Patterson uses distinctive mannerisms and voices to clue us in, and the lighting changes depending on the character were wonderfully done.
I've never thought much about the West End. When I hear news stories about shootings or gang violence in that area it doesn't phase me. I expect that from the area. I had my eyes opened up a bit, because I could relate to what some of the characters that repulsed me were saying. I might never make some of their statements out loud, but I can't say I haven't thought them before. I felt ashamed, especially after hearing Theresa's story.
I really enjoyed this play, even if it made me feel uncomfortable at times. It's an unflinching look at attitudes towards poverty, and manages to use a number of beautiful metaphors to express that.
Some background information on the play: It's a one-woman show, written and performed by Debbie Patterson (and directed by her husband, Arne MacPherson). Patterson, who has multiple sclerosis, plays a number of different characters congregating around a food bank near the West End cross-street of Sargent and Victor.
The play centres around Gillian, a woman based on Patterson. Gillian is bitter about having MS, and spends a lot of time reminiscing about what the disease has cost her. Along the way we meet a pastor, two senior citizens, a 7-year-old-girl, and Gillian's brother Bob, all played by Patterson. We also meet a 15-year-old aboriginal girl named Theresa, who is a member of the 'Gangster Crips'.
Patterson uses the setting of the food bank to explore different attitudes surrounding the beat up West End neighbourhood. Not surprisingly, most of these attitudes are negative. The people there either feel persecuted unfairly by the police (Bob), they're giving away chocolate to volunteers but not the no-good-homeless-folks (Fred), they're incredibly racist and old-fashioned (the senior citizens Tom and Sharon), or they're a seven-year-old that somehow manages to come off as bitchy.
I was repulsed by all of these characters. They had few, if any redeeming qualities. I don't say this as a criticism. The fact that Patterson was able to fully inhabit all of these persona's and get me to hate them was remarkable.
In an interview I read before seeing the play, Patterson says that she was trying to use her MS as a metaphor for the decline of the neighbourhood in which the play is set. While this is effective, I found the moral decay of her characters to be a better parallel for the neighbourhoods struggles. Maybe it's not the aboriginals or the child gangs or the crooked cops that's ruining the West End. Maybe it's the cynicism and hatred spewing from the "good" residents that's the problem.
The most interesting character in the play is definitely the 15-year-old Theresa. Theresa was raped, beaten, left for dead more than once. She lived with a mother who sniffed gas instead of collecting welfare to feed her children. Theresa became addicted to drugs and fell into a gang.
While on the surface, this type of person might seem to be the problem in an impoverished neighbourhood, Theresa is the only character that displays any redeeming qualities. She shows compassion to Gillian, helping her up off the concrete in a moment of need. We hear about the mistakes that she's made, but we see why she's made them. She's a fully developed, complex character, but her and "her kind" are painted out to be nothing more than lazy gangbangers.
The juxtaposition between Theresa and her neighbours works beautifully to illustrate Patterson's point that there's more to people than what one see's on the surface.
The only problem I had with the play was with those other people. They're presented in only one dimension, as ugly, racist, vile people. They're painted with black hats. In a play that seems to tell us that people are complex and we don't know their entire story, I felt as though these characters were too one-dimensional. Patterson writes that we all have broken minds or broken bodies — her characters seem to have broken souls.
While I've seen tons of plays over the years, this was the first time I've ever been to a one-person play. I was expecting little-to-no movement, basically a series of monologues that would be broken up noticeably. I was pleasantly surprised when the play started. Patterson makes seamless transitions from character to character without missing a beat. In order to keep the audience aware of who exactly is speaking, Patterson uses distinctive mannerisms and voices to clue us in, and the lighting changes depending on the character were wonderfully done.
I've never thought much about the West End. When I hear news stories about shootings or gang violence in that area it doesn't phase me. I expect that from the area. I had my eyes opened up a bit, because I could relate to what some of the characters that repulsed me were saying. I might never make some of their statements out loud, but I can't say I haven't thought them before. I felt ashamed, especially after hearing Theresa's story.
I really enjoyed this play, even if it made me feel uncomfortable at times. It's an unflinching look at attitudes towards poverty, and manages to use a number of beautiful metaphors to express that.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Oscar Predictions
I love the Oscars. Even though the Golden Globes are a bigger party, and the Grammys have better musical performances, the Oscars have always been my favourite awards show. Tonight's Academy Awards will be celebrating what was a really great year for movies, so let's go through the list and make a couple of predictions.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominees
John Ridley — 12 Years a Slave
Steve Koogan and Jeff Pope — Philomena
Billy Ray — Captain Phillips
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater — Before Midnight
Terence Winter — The Wolf of Wall Street
Who I Think Will Win: John Ridley — 12 Years a Slave
The script has been the frontrunner for this award since the movie premiered early in award season. Nothing has really emerged to challenge it as the favourite.
Who I Want to Win: Billy Ray — Captain Phillips
I really enjoyed Captain Phillips. It ran over two hours, but didn't feel too long, and told a great story about a really interesting subject. I feel like Tom Hanks fully deserved a nomination for Best Actor, and I can't see Phillips winning any other category. So even though this movie might not have the best script, I'd like to see it walk away with something
Best Original Screenplay
Nominees
Woody Allen — Blue Jasmine
Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russel — American Hustle
Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack — Dallas Buyers Club
Spike Jonze — Her
Bob Nelson — Nebraska
Who I Think Will Win: Spike Jonze — Her
Spike Jonze's script managed to take home both the Golden Globe and the Writers Guild of America trophies. Add that to the fact that I think Academy voters will want to reward this wonderful little movie, and Her should be a favourite in this category.
That being said, 20% of the Academy is made up of members of the acting community, which could lead to strong support for the actor heavy American Hustle. That script is an actor's dream.
Who I Want to Win: Spike Jonze — Her
Her was easily one of my favourite movies of the year, and the script was a big reason why. Jonze managed to craft a world that seemed familiar yet foreign, and told a traditional love story while also commenting on our relationship with technology. It was the most human movie of the year, and it dealt with a man in love with an operating system.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees
Jared Leto — Dallas Buyers Club
Jonah Hill — Wolf of Wall Street
Bradley Cooper — American Hustle
Michael Fassbender — 12 Years a Slave
Barkhad Abdi — Captain Phillips
Who I Think Will Win: Jared Leto — Dallas Buyers Club
Leto did a phenomenal job transforming himself into Rayon for Dallas Buyers Club, but I think the most powerful scene he had in the movie was when he dressed up in a suit to go talk to his father. It was a great performance that required a massive change in a movie about a serious topic. All of those things lead to Oscar gold.
Who I Want to Win: Jonah Hill — Wolf of Wall Stree
Jonah Hill was great in this movie. He had so much fun, but managed to play a convincing character across from Leo. He ate a live goldfish. And he did it all for $60,000, the minimum amount a member of the Screen Actors Guild is allowed to be paid, simply because he wanted to be in a Martin Scorsese movie.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees
Sally Hawkins — Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence — American Hustle
June Squibb — Nebraska
Lupita Nyong'o — 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts — August Osage County
Who I Think Will Win: Lupita Nyong'o — 12 Years a Slave
The narrative is too good for the Academy to pass up. Mexican born, Kenyan raised, Yale educated Lupita Nyong'o plays a beaten slave in a Picture of the Year favourite. It doesn't hurt that she's phenomenal in it.
Her biggest competition is Jennifer Lawrence, who won in this category last year. The Academy won't want her to win back-to-back Oscars before she's 25. Sorry JLaw.
Who I Want to See Win: June Squibb — Nebraska
This Vine is why she deserves to win.
Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Matthew McConaughey —Dallas Buyers Club
Leonardo DiCaprio — Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor — 12 Years a Slave
Bruce Dern — Nebraska
Christian Bale — American Hustle
Who I Think Will Win: Matthew McConaughey — Dallas Buyers Club
See the reasons I listed for Jared Leto as to why McConaughey will win. Combine that with the fact that Hollywood is going crazy over the McConnaisance and he's pretty much a lock.
I really liked his performance. I though Dallas Buyers Club was a flawed movie that oversimplified a very complicated issue. The movie gave everyone a white hat or a black hat, but McConaughey managed to wear a variety of hats (literally and figuratively).
Who I Want to See Win
Leonardo DiCapri — Wolf of Wall Street
This is my favourite Leo performance ever. He gives a controlled insanity at all times, and brings the audience along for a wild ride. This movie is incredibly divisive, which means it probably won't win anything, and that's too bad.
Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Amy Adams — American Hustle
Cate Blanchett — Blue Jasmine
Judi Dench — Philomena
Sandra Bullock — Gravity
Meryl Streep — August Osage County
Who I Think Will Win: Cate Blanchett — Blue Jasmine
I haven't seen this movie yet, I was trying to before today, but it'll have to wait. But apparently she's the lock of the century, so, yep.
Who I Want to See Win: Amy Adams — American Hustle
I loved American Hustle. It was probably the most fun I had at the movies all year. Amy Adams, and her sideboob, was a big part of that.
Her energy throughout the movie is off the charts, and the fact that she's basically playing two characters helps.
Best Director
Nominees:
Alfonso Cuarón — Gravity
David O. Russel — American Hustle
Alexander Payne — Nebraska
Martin Scorsese — Wolf of Wall Street
Steve McQueen — 12 Years a Slave
Who I Think Will Win: Alfonso Cuarón — Gravity
This movie, much like James Cameron's Avatar, has changed the rules for what is possible in the world of filmmaking. I saw this in IMAX 3D, and held my breath the entire time. It was visually astounding.
Who I Wants to See Win: Alfonso Cuarón — Gravity
Gravity was remarkable bit of filmmaking, and it deserves to be recognized here.
Best Picture
Nominees:
Dallas Buyers Club
Nebraska
Her
American Hustle
Wolf of Wall Street
Philomena
12 Years a Slave
Gravity
Captain Phillips
Who I Think Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
12 Years a Slave is a hard movie to watch. It's a brutal look at slavery, and an important film. The Academy will reward it with a Best Picture statuette tonight.
Who I Want to See Win: Her
My favourite movie of the year, but it doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell at winning tonight. I'm glad to see it was recognized with a nomination, and I'll be rooting for Spike Jonze's incredible little film tonight.
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