Author: JWF

CINEMA

Continuing our German theme of last week, we went to see Labyrinth of Lies, a subtitled German film about bringing those who perpetrated crimes at Auschwitz to trial. This trial, held in Germany itself, is probably one most Americans don’t know about.  Even though I was barely a teen. I certainly remember when Adolf Eichmann’s trial ended with guilty on all counts.  This movie details the investigation leading up to a later trial of a number of individuals who committed crimes in the Auschwitz camp. The young investigator/prosecutor is dogged and relentless in his quest until he learns truths close to home that threaten to derail his pursuit of justice. Or, if not justice, then giving the survivors, those still living victims of the Nazis’ atrocities, the opportunity to tell their stories. This is a well-made film and depicts the German government’s resistance to exposure and society’s desire to keep this travesty deeply buried. Definitely worth seeing.

On Monday, we did back-to-back movies—nothing like getting to the new films right after they open. I think Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies is well done, but could have been better paced. The opening scene was too long and there were points farther on when the editing could have been tighter without sacrificing anything. That said, Mark Rylance is marvelous as Abel, the Russian painter spy of few words (one of those times when you like the “bad guy”).  Tom Hanks is appropriately serious and committed as the lawyer who defends him and then works to negotiate an exchange for Gary Francis Powers. I recall the newspaper headlines when Powers’ U-2 plane was shot down, but had not remembered the details of his release.  For us, this film resonated on another level from our having been in Berlin just a year ago and having visited the Topography of Terror museum and Checkpoint Charlie.

The second film was Truth starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford—very gratifying to see a woman with the leading role!  She plays Mary Mapes, the producer  who worked closely with Dan Rather on stories for the CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes. Rather is played by Robert Redford, some might say convincingly, but I kept seeing Redford himself. This is an account, based on a book by Mapes, of the production of the news story about George W. Bush’s service in the National Guard and the ensuing controversy over the documents and then CBS’s subsequent internal investigation. Like Bridge of Spies, Truth raises questions of values, of individual integrity versus government/corporate pressure, and what organizations do to save face. Whether you accept this version of the truth or not, it’s an engrossing film.  Cate Blanchett deserves to be nominated for an Academy award.

LECTURELESS LUNCH

Yesterday we headed to the University Club for lunch and a talk by Barney Frank. A stack of books, his latest one, was for sale on a table by the door. We hesitated, but did not stop. This event sold out several weeks ago, we were told, and we were eagerly anticipating hearing him. Lunch was lovely—micro greens and a stack of veggie rounds with goat cheese followed by a tasty chicken breast in mushroom sauce over polenta with some sautéed spinach. Dessert was a respectable crème brulee. We enjoyed getting acquainted with our table mates, two Brits with whom we talked politics and traded restaurant and viewing recommendations, and a threesome from Westchester, an elderly couple and their widowed friend.

Lunch proceeded and it was then almost one o’clock; a man got up to say that Barney Frank was expected. Finally at 1:20 or so, another gentleman, the chair of the lectures committee, rose to tell the audience that he had no idea where Rep. Frank was. He listed all the contact and cell numbers he had for Mr. Frank’s assistants and arrangers and reported he had tried them all without getting any answer. No Barney Frank, so we were formally dismissed. We did wonder if he just forgot us or if something more serious had happened. Oh, well.

FOOD NOTES

It was cool to cold the other day, only 50 degrees with a stiff wind. which meant that lunch called for soup, quite a tasty chicken vegetable from Gourmet Garage. We ate dinner in also—some hearty, but light, meatballs in marinara sauce from Citarella. This was after we spent a bracing half hour at the playground with our granddaughter and daughter-in-law and the other grandmother, recently returned from a trip to Ireland. One of the joys of New York is the ready availability of quality takeout items. No need to cook unless you really, really feel the need!

What makes a French bistro French? Hard to answer, other than being in France. But, here in the West Village, Le Gigot fills the bill. It was warm inside, felt cozy, and there was the fragrant aroma of garlic in the air. Tables are very close together (this is Manhattan where real estate is dear), and you can eavesdrop or even, as we did, engage your neighbors in conversation. (They were a couple about our age from New Jersey who have two grandsons in the city.)

Our meal was just about perfect. I sampled the spinach soup (a special of the day, essence of spinach with just a hint of cream), and my spouse loved his pate which was prettily presented on a plate with mustard, sliced gherkins, bits of carrot, and caramelized onions. Toasts on the side. Our main courses were equally satisfying: I had the chicken with perfectly crisped skin served with a mix of veggies (nicely seasoned) and potato gratin while he enjoyed his duck confit. He was into serious comfort food! Everything here worked and we look forward to a return visit this month or later in the year!

Header image:  Redford and Blanchett in Truth (www.hdvietnam.com)