The Power of Hugh

"Feeling love is very important,
but loving is the necessity."
-Amy Irving
in the 2009 film "ADAM"

Nope, I did not mean ‘The Power of You’. I really did mean ‘The Power of Hugh’. I am referring to actor Hugh Dancy, an up and coming one to appreciate.

I first took notice of his performance in the 2002 film “Daniel Deronda” via a Netflix ‘random pick’. I still remember him in character as Daniel Deronda (in a romantic scene) saying, “I spent my life in doubt and confusion, but it was your voice I always heard.” After seeing his fabulous work in “Daniel Deronda” I wondered ‘Who is that guy?’


I realized that I had actually seen Hugh Dancy before in the 2000 film “Madam Bovary” and in the 2007 film “Evening” (another favorite—and it’s no wonder he became engaged to actress Claire Danes after seeing her lavish beauty shine in that film and “Stardust”). Wonders never cease.
Yesterday, Alan and I went out to see British born Hugh Dancy in his most recent released film, “Adam”. It had a soft opening with limited release in theaters in Los Angeles and New York. The film is getting critical acclaim as I read a tidbit in Venice Magazine, the Los Angeles and New York Times well before the release date. We ‘fell in’ on the screening last night as the brilliant Writer/Director, Max Mayer, and the lead Australian actress, Rose Byrne were there for commentary and a ‘Q & A’ session after the show.

“Adam”, the film, is about a young twenty-nine year old man who has Asbergers Syndrome (a form of autism). The initial piano melody that begins during the funeral of Adam’s father is sensitive and heartfelt in and of itself. Adam seems to show such genius qualities as he has such impressive knowledge of how the universe was formed after ‘The Big Bang’.

Here is a website that gets into detail about ‘The Big Bang’ theory:
http://www.big-bang-theory.com/

The film shares a heartwarming story about raccoons in Central Park and how ‘they don’t really belong here, but here they are’. This line ties into the whole “Pretending to be Normal” premise of the Asbergers Syndrome. The music was sensitive and soothing as the audience felt the close knit connection between the main characters. I have already put my order in for the original soundtrack:
http://www.amazon.com/Adam-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B002BNTO4C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249060632&sr=1-1

I loved it when Adam was courting his neighbor (played by Rose Byrne) and she said, “Eating mac and cheese every night is a meager life. It lacks stimulation.”
The actor, Peter Gallagher, says it perfectly in the film, “There are things you do, things you have to do. We make our choices.”

If you do one thing this month, make the choice of seeing “Adam”. You won’t be sorry. Now that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences are nominating 10 films this year I will not be surprised if “Adam” is a top contender with Hugh Dancy as a hopeful ‘Best Actor’ nomination.


Twenty-five years ago today:

August 1, 1984
Wednesday

It was fun. Our training group had a field trip outing today as we visited our new Business Office. I had a great time. We left at 1PM but it was encouraging to see the entire work group being productive.

I enjoyed lunch with Barbara Reynolds at the Health Food Store (great turkey/avocado sandwich).

After work I went to see a film called “Another Country”. It was not as good as I had hoped but well worth my viewing time (even if I did not ride my bike). It was a smash hit London play that was turned into a film. The film explores the effect of Public School life in the 1930’s on Guy Bennet (played by Rupert Everett) as his homosexuality and unwillingness to ‘play the game’ turns him eastward towards communist Russia.

After the movie I went to John & Sherri’s house once again to play with Ashley and deliver some mail that came to my address. I watched bits of the Tom Cruise movie “Risky Business”.

I left to keep company with Dad while mom was at work. I prepared myself a hamburger there while I watched the Women’s gymnastics.

Once I returned home I took a relaxing shower and decided to give Karyn Kossoff a call at about 9:30PM. We talked until about 10:45PM or so. She loves talking on the phone and admits to it. She mentioned the idea of having a Happy Hour drink this Friday (after work). I cannot believe it is almost Thursday. I did say “okay” to the drink idea.