A security guard standing nearby was looking me over. I smiled at him, and he turned away without returning it. A few steps closer and I noticed the guard giving me the once over again, looking at my backpack. I smiled again because I didn’t know how else to inform the guy I’m not Travis Bickle.
I was just about at the front of the group when a reporter was brought around and she begun asking him questions. Woody turned back and I stepped forward. I shook his hand and introduced myself. I haven’t washed it since. It’s wrapped in a plastic bag, which has really made typing this a difficult task. I told him I thought the film was brilliant and asked if I could ask a question about the film.
“Sure,” he says.
A few elements of the plot I had found similar to Crimes and Misdemeanors, one of his best films. I had skimmed the beginning of a couple of articles about Match Point and they mentioned C&M as well, so I asked him what about those elements drew him back to explore the material again.
Time froze. I was able to step back from the moment, observe and appreciate it. What the hell is going on?! I’m having a discussion with one of my top three favorite American directors of all-time about his film. How cool is that? I’ll need to learn some basic French when the staff from Cahiers Du Cinema calls. What if Woody asks me to dinner tomorrow? I've already got plans. And just as I was planning my response to him suggesting we get together the next time I’m in New York, he punched me so hard in the gut that it knocked the wind out of me and I fell to one knee.
At least that’s what it felt like, but it wasn’t physical. The punch to my psyche was Woody telling me that aside from that one element I mentioned, the films are totally different. C&M was about faith and this was about luck and the role it plays.
Ugh! What an idiot. Why the hell was that my question? I should have come up with something better. However, I disagreed with him. There were other mutual elements. Chris and Judah get themselves into a similar situation and act to save their position, which is upper class, and their families. They struggle with what is the correct action. They are both able to justify and accept their actions. I had more, but he’s Woody Allen. He’s smarter than I am, he certainly knows more about the film than me since I had just seen the it 30 minutes ago and he’s lived with it for months, and he probably thinks I know nothing about film now.
Article comments
1 - Jenifer Gonzales
What an absolutely fabulous experience you just recounted. I would have melted into a puddle of nerves on the red carpet if I had been given the opportunity. Nice job!
2 - El Bicho
Thanks, Jenifer. Glad you liked it. The carpet's not a scary place, but it is odd.
3 - Alisha Karabinus
Oh, I seethe with jealousy... but since you gave us all these great pictures, I can almost pretend I was there!