Besides spending time with our son and family in this Christmas season, we took in several films and also an exhibit of works by women at the Grolier Club. And, as always, we ate well! Vinegar chicken and an assortment of tasty veggies on Christmas plus good Italian fare at favorite new and old restaurants.
ON SCREEN
Two Popes (Theaters & Netflix)
This is an engaging and witty film. It’s the fascinating fictional account of a meeting between Pope Benedict and then Cardinal Borgoglio who became Pope Francis. The cardinal has gone to Rome to submit his resignation to the pope, only the pope refuses to accept it. The two men are diametrically opposite in both their views and their approach to the pomp of the office; Pope Benedict revels in it while Pope Francis eschews the red shoes and other trappings. Anthony Hopkins portrays a wry and solitary pope while the cardinal has deep regrets about some actions in his youth that he feels preclude him from ever becoming the pontiff. While these men did have a meeting in real life, it came later, but with this film, I felt I learned more about Pope Francis’ early career.
A Hidden Life
I don’t know if I’ve seen other Terrence Malick films, but this one is both beautiful and moving. I became immersed in the life and fate of Franz Jagerstatter, a real Austrian farmer, who when conscripted into the army, refuses to swear loyalty to Hitler. A devoutly religious man with a strong moral sense, he risks his life and his family (his wife Fani must manage the farm and their two young daughters with minimal help) for his beliefs. But, will his sacrifice make any difference in the larger sense? Scenes of green pastures and mountains alternate with the torture of prison in this three-hour film. The dialogue is mostly English with some untranslated German. Worth seeing.
Little Women
This “Little Women” is wonderful! Like many, I’ve read the novel multiple times, seen movie versions, and know the story well. This is an exuberant version punctuated by sadness, the heartaches of young love, and the toll of grinding poverty. But these girls, Meg, Amy, Beth, and particularly Jo, romp and bicker and love each other. They have talents and minds as well as hearts. I recall Marmee in the book as seeming too goodie-goodie, but here she is a giving neighbor and also a woman occasionally frustrated and angered by life’s lacks.
The cast is all-star including Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Meryl Streep as cranky, rich Aunt March, Laura Dern as Marmee, and the handsome winning Timothee Chalamet as the irrepressible Laurie Lawrence. Even Sydney from Grantchester, James Norton, shows up as Meg’s suitor. My only quibble is that if you don’t know the story, the back and forth jumps in time can be a bit confusing. But, overall it’s simply marvelous!!
ON PAPER
Five Hundred Years of Women’s Work (Grolier Club)
Although it’s a private club devoted to books and printing, the Grolier Club opens its occasional exhibits to the public at no charge. This current exhibit of works by women is a rich sampling from the Baskin Collection: women as authors, printers, publishers, and bookbinders from the 15th century onward. The Lisa Unger Baskin Collection is housed at Duke University and these items on display here until early February.
Many of the works relate to the suffrage movement both in the UK and the United States, as well as to the fight for women’s reproductive rights (contraception, abortion, etc.). There is correspondence by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony as well as between several generations of Pankhursts, a letter by Charlotte Bronte, and works by an early Dutch artist and scientist. Also treatises on the treatment of African Americans. One final case highlights lovely examples of elaborate bookbinding.
Ms. Baskin began collecting rare works by and about women with her late husband, but after his death continued to collect and until 2015, the 11,000 item collection remained in her hands.
DINING—MORE ITALIAN
It seems that Manhattan has more Italian restaurants than any other cuisine, at least on the Upper East Side! We tried another one the other night and will add it to our list for a return visit. Bella Blu is a long narrow space with a bar on the right and walls splashed with bright colors. Add to that lavish Christmas wreaths and bells and you have sensory overload. We dined early, but already two-thirds of the tables were occupied in this family friendly place.
The tasty frisée salad with walnuts and Gorgonzola was big enough to share while the ravioli with guanciale were superb. We also sampled the fritto misto and the penne with cubes of fresh tuna in a tomato, black olive and oregano sauce. They also have pizzas and many other pasta and meat entrees that will lure us back. Service was efficient to brisk, but it is the holiday season and everyone wants to dine out!
Text and photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
