Rampant with Memory

Just watched an excellent adaptation of Laurence's _The Stone Angel_. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth your time — if you can find it. (In the Edmonton area, it's available on DVD from the public library.) One of the reviewers said Ellen Burstyn deserved an Academy award for her performance, and it was indeed admirable. But maybe I'm more apt to respond to a film about mothers and sons. Amazing, though, that one instance of a naked male bottom got it an R rating!

It's been a weekend for movies, actually. Saw the new Harry Potter yesterday — very dense story-telling and painting-like cinematography, I think; I'll have to see it again soon. Maybe it will still be in theatres by the time we're back from France, although that seems unlikely. Apparently the final book will require two films to adapt. Good: more to look forward to!

Also watched _Away from Her_ on Friday afternoon. Hard to believe that was a directorial debut: impressive! I really must look for the short story on which it was based. I know I have lots of Munro packed away somewhere... should unpack it...

Terrible weather right now, after a mild early morning; looks like it could storm at any minute. Last night's storm was electric, wild. But "This is what the world is for / Making electricity."

Adieu.

High praise

"No one ever understood better the art of having grace without affectation, raillery without malice, gaiety without folly, propriety without constraint, and virtue without severity." — a description of a fictional character, Princesse Clarinte, who represents the historical salon hostess Madame de Sévigné, now memorialized by a street in le Marais, Paris