Sunday 3 May 2009

Performing zeal

I'd planned this evening to watch Performance (James Fox to Mick Jagger: "You'll look funny when you're 50") in the company of a bottle of Burgundy. But "Dad, dad, can I make you a cocktail!" Don't complain, the alternative is being lectured on the environment by a 14 year-old who takes half-hour showers. However, except for Alexanders, I loathe cocktails, and there was neither brandy nor cream in the house. So we compromised on pastis, which I do like, provided I'm not expected to drink 6 oz of it. Now I'm off to watch Performance without the Burgundy; it'll be better that way, trust me.

27 comments:

Kevin Musgrove said...

about a quarter of an hour in you'll be changing your mind...

xerxes said...

Hah! I have out-generalled you, Mr Musgrove, by watching the first 3/4 of the movie yesterday. So there.

Ms Scarlet said...

Well you didn't say that when you posted did you... tut.
Sx

Kevin Musgrove said...

I'll bet you've toped the burgundy too

xerxes said...

Scarlet-Blue... blood is scarlet, veins are blue. Lots of red (not just blood) in Performance, and Jagger was funny-looking even then.

Kevin, not all of it, there's some left for breakfast, to wash down the cold grouse.

Gadjo Dilo said...

I've never seen the film, but it does sound as if a gin/light-ale cocktail would be more suitable than a Burgundy.

Anonymous said...

I liked the Mick Jagger in "Stella Street" better than the one in Performance

xerxes said...

Gadj, I should have been clearer; it's brandy Alexanders I like, gin is such a depressant.

Nurse, you are as provocative as ever.

BEAST said...

Ok so I am going to ask what everyone else is pussy footing round
why ???

Inky
WHY THIS FILM AND WHY NOW ????

I think we need an answer

xerxes said...

Straight to the point Beast, well done.

It's a good-looking and stylish movie, despite the violence, with a great soundtrack. The gangsters are portrayed in a much more vivid and interesting way than, for example, Scorsese ever managed; the interaction between doomed artiste and doomed criminal is novel (or was then; it was made in 1968). Oh, and Anita Pallenberg takes her shirt off with intriguing results. The only aspect that bores me is the whole thing about confused sexual identity. But again, that was less ordinary 40 years ago.

Why now? Because it arrived from the rental company.

BEAST said...

There you go , Your review has made me want to rush out and watch it now :-)

Mrs Pouncer said...

Oh don't bother, Beast. It is a big yawnerama and pretentious to a T. Inky and I fall out over films. Back in the last of the great hot summers, when I was doing my French A Level, I was obliged to see Godard's Deux ou Trois Choses que je sais d'elle at the local university. I haven't really enjoyed any other film quite so much since then, although I quite liked A Song for Europe, which noone else in the whole world has ever seen, and Home Alone. Also, a film version of the Birthday Party with Dandy Nicholls. And maybe Bambi. Also, I do like a gin Mojita.

xerxes said...

"... to a T". Very good, Mrs P.

Probably you've also seen Sympathy for the Devil. When I did, exactly when you saw 2 or 3 things, the projectionist (the college socialist and intellectual, so would not have done this on purpose) transposed 2 reels and nobody noticed, not even he. This doesn't reflect the movie's pretentiousness, just its vacuity.

Kevin Musgrove said...

I spent a couple of years watching Jean Luc Godard movies in the name of love. George Melly once said that: "Godard used to make really interesting movies but he soon put a stop to that," and I can only agree. I actually think I'd prefer watching Sex In The City.

I'd forgotten The Birthday Party. Lord, that was dreary.

xerxes said...

Punitive film is the phrase. You have to be careful what you do in pursuit of love; the love of my life dumped me soon after I took her to Eraserhead.

Anonymous said...

I think you and had better go to the movies together! Anyone who doesn't see the overly cautious Donald Sutherland as sexy be the end of Klute, just doesn't know what he is missing when he finale take command.
As a young girl I always found Mick Jagger a little scary. Now however that weathered face and those mischievous eyes are looking kinda great! Maybe because I am so much more woman then I was.

How weird is it that my verification word was trippy?!

Ms Scarlet said...

Weird. I dumped a boyfriend after Eraserhead.
Sx

xerxes said...

Beverly, are you asking me out? I love, absolutely love, being asked out by beautiful women, so yes please, pick me up at 8 and I promise you won't regret it, I'm no tease.

Scarlet, give us some info about the bf for ID purposes. Please.

Lulu LaBonne said...

Blimey Inky - d'you think you might be Scarlet's ex-beau and now you've got all these part-time husband jobs ...

I think someone should warn Beverly

xerxes said...

Lulu, I shouldn't complain should I. I mean, what would Mick do? Yes, I know, everyone, ho ho. (No nurse, not the Stella St Mick thank you v much.)

Mrs Pouncer said...

Lulu, for the love of Christ! I thought we'd been through this before: on no account, on absolutely no account, should anyone mention mistaken-identity husbands at Inky's. He has a backstory here which one day will be told.

And Inky, you are a git. Scarla and I have asked you out at least thrice, and you have blown us out every time. Even when I promised nekkidness under my Proenza Schouler, and Scarla told you about her tongue action, you said nein danke. Wait, are you suggesting that we're not beautiful?

And Kevin, you philistine. The Birthday Party is not dreary; it is a laugh a minute. And Goldberg's soliloquy, where he remembers his Uncle Barney, is my fave rave speech evah.

xerxes said...

Mrs P, you and Scarlet make a boy feel a bit shy. You know, OMG, what if she's bored by me?

I wish I could help with the Birthday Party discussion, but I've never seen it.

Kevin Musgrove said...

That's the best way to see that fillum Inky

Mrs Pouncer said...

Fascists. I won't be dragged into a discourse tonight. I've decided to be shomer shabbas for a change.

Ms Scarlet said...

My ex... he dabbled in stocks and shares... [true].
Mistaken identities eh? What kind of idiot does something like that?
Sx

xerxes said...

Scarlet, he's not me then. I mean, I could have gone off and fiddled around with stocks and shares etc. and become filthy rich, but I chose not to.

Kevin, I appreciate the advice, you are clearly a right-thinking chap.

Mrs P, is it kosher to swallow?

BEAST said...

"yes please, pick me up at 8 and I promise you won't regret it, I'm no tease."
So !
We have established Inky
'Puts Out' on a first date.
Now we just have to establish wether you have to buy /dinner/drinks/a bag of chips
You see Mrs P and Miss Scarlet you just don't ask the right questions