The Writer's Life 10/14 - Teamwork

Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling are great actors. Any film in which they team is worth seeing. Such is the case with The Sense of an Ending (2017), the type of movie made only independently in the States, a quiet slice of life. I watched it last night courtesy of Netflix. Broadbent plays a divorced, technically retired owner of a shop that sells only used Leica cameras. One day he receives a letter informing him that he has inherited the diary of his former best friend, who committed suicide while they were college students. It was bequeathed by the mother of the girl he lost to that friend. That woman is in possession of it and refuses to relinquish it. Emily Mortimer, another great Brit talent, plays the deceased mom. The story moves back and forth in time. There is a subplot about a lesbian daughter having a baby on her own. Whether one considers that just another politically correct teaching moment or poignant dramatic addition will depend on the individual. I know it happens in real life, but I'm always skeptical of it in the arts. I read underlying motive into it. Anyway, the rest of the narrative is infinitely more interesting, the characters genuine, the dialogue intelligent, the actions plausible. 2600+ users at IMDb have rated The Sense of an Ending, forging to a consensus of 6.3 on a scale of ten. Its appeal is limited to folks who prefer subtlety, serious work that explores the mystery of life, that does not move very far from the every day. Nick Payne adapted the screenplay from the novel by Julian Barnes. It was directed by Ritesh Batra, who was born in Mumbai, India, his second stint at the helm of a full length feature.   

There were two shocking upsets last night in college football. Defending national champs Clemson lost at Syracuse, 24-27. Its chance of repeating appear slim, as its starting QB, who played on a gimpy ankle, was injured. Washington lost at Cal, which is surprising only in that it was a complete drubbing 3-37, as the boys from Berkeley have pulled surprises before. The Tigers and Cougars are now 6-1, the Orangemen and Golden Bears both 4-3. It was Syracuse's most significant victory in many years. At the moment it appears no team is even close to being in Alabama's class.

My thanks to the young Latina who purchased the entire Twilight series, the only sale of the day. A lot of folks passed on the Russian translations of Danielle Steel. It was frustrating. There was a light moment when an Asian woman who spoke no English forced a shopping bag into my hands. I caved, accepting it, and thanked her. Inside were a Minicci handbag and a black winter coat. I wonder if the woman thought I'd need the latter this winter. I left the bag in the lobby of our co-op. A similar one lists for $12.99 at Ebay. I'll put the coat in a charity bin tomorrow. I hope the items make the recipients happy.

Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story Collection:http:// tinyurl.com/lh2tepa 
Vic's 2nd Novel Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Vic-Fortezza-Author-118397641564801/?fref=ts

Read Vic's Stories, free: http://fictionaut.com/users/vic-fortezza