As previously confessed as one of my 30 secrets in 30 days, I only like to watch films I’ve seen before. I’m the first to admit the rather limiting nature of this part of my personality and thus I did, as part of 39 things to do before I’m 40, commit to watching 5 films I’d never seen before. Actually I did that relatively easily through a combination of the magic of Disney/general wonderment of Pixar and a couple of films recommended by Bee who I like to follow in a sheeplike fashion. Baaaaaaaa…..
So far, so dull. And then I met theshopkeeperswife and we somehow fell in to a ‘Mummies Film Club’ thing. We didn’t plan it. Neither of us are passionate about film, nor did either of us have a burning desire to become Film Literate. I think time and circumstance has kind of shaped our new club. We can go to the flicks in the evening (when the children are asleep and our husbands are home), we can go any night of the week and it doesn’t involve any preparation. We can be totally flexible about it, we get TWO HOURS of total escapism and we get to eat chocolate. Could anything be finer?
Actually, for me, what seals the deal is the TWO HOURS of escapism. I hadn’t been to the cinema for years, literally, until recently. I took Diggy to the morning showings for parents when he was little, as I’d done with Bertie. It was fine when they were tiny and slept throughout, or fed. But once they were a bit awake, ie about 6 weeks old, it was so dull. Just bouncing a baby on your knee in the dark and hoping they wouldn’t scream/throw up/poo all over you. I don’t think I’ve been to the flicks without a potential screamer/vomiter/pooer for 6 years.
So I’d forgotten how blissful it is to slip back in your seat and switch off. Really, really switch off in a way you can’t anywhere else. Films at home are great, but there’s always the temptation to nip off and do something. At the cinema you have to kind of ‘give yourself up’ to the darkness. What bliss.
Better, our Mummies Club is driven by date and not by film. We have a vague (very) idea of what we’d like to see but that’s not the point. The point is getting out and going to the cinema and, more of less, what’s on is irrelevant. We’ve kept it simple by limiting our chosen cinemas to two local ones, both rather quaint one screen affairs. The film starts at the same time every night, 7.30pm, just perfect for us Mummies (late enough to be after bedtime, early enough to sneak in a drink afterwards).
So, we choose a date we can both do and then see the film we prefer from a choice of two cinemas. Marvellous! What I LOVE is that I am watching films I would never, normally, have chosen to watch: Sex and the City 2 (compulsive crap: knew it was dreadful but enjoyed every minute), Whatever Works (would NEVER chose a Woody Allen movie, although I love Larry David), The Ghost Writer (WONDERFUL!)….last week it was supposed to be Gainsbourg but schedules meant it didn’t happen…so we’ve moved our date to next week. I can’t tell you what we’re seeing because I haven’t looked at the programme yet. Who cares?! I’m going to the cinema, whoop whoop.
What a joy this new hobby is! Minimal input but such a joyful output. TWO HOURS (did you get that yet?) of escapism, good company, drink and a debrief (but not like that) afterwards, chocolate…so delightful. What’s so surprising to me is how much I’m enjoying, really properly enjoying, the element of surprise. I’m sure there will be some losers, but thus far they have all been winners for different reasons. I especially enjoyed The Ghost Writer although I know, in a million years, I wouldn’t have ever chosen to see it.
I’m embracing a new, relaxed, “let’s just go with it and see where it takes us” approach. I have definitely ‘unclenched’ since we moved out of London and perhaps this is another manifestation of that. Although MrSpud, natch, is taking credit. He told me today that I’ve let go of all my Catholic “hang ups” since I met him. Yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah.
Or perhaps I’m just older and more knackered and can’t be bothered with it anymore. Either way, it involves TWO HOURS of no-one asking for a drink or a snack, or asking me to find something, adjudicate some ridiculous argument or mop up bodily fluid. Love that…love…it….
Viva Mummies Film Club xx
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