However, I celebrated my own little way by re-watching Hal Hartley's "Surviving Desire". I was aware of this movie in the very early 90es, in the hay days of Hartley's fame on the indie circuit, having seen "Simple Men", "Trust", "The Unbelievable Truth", but never had a chance to actually watch it before last summer.You know the plot: Jude (Martin Donovan) is a literature professor trying to find answers in books, one paragraph of Dostoevsky's the Brothers Karamazov in particular (Book 2, Chapter 4). He falls for Sofie (Mary B Ward), one of his students, they have a (very) short affair, she dumps him. 60 minutes of pure Hartley's charm: witty, overplayed dialogs that drift in the absurd, choreographies, indie rock, the boroughs, what else can you ask for ?
Retrospectively, I'm glad that the 20-year-old hipster from the early-90es missed the film, as he most likely wouldn't have connected as strongly with the character of Jude. Observing yourself falling in love with somebody far too young for you, half-heartedly resisting the crush, knowing far too well that the story will end up in tears (yours), but going for it nevertheless full blast, to end up dancing with strangers after the first kiss, is something that has to be actually experienced to be truly enjoyed.
"Never be frightened at your own faint-heartedness in attaining love... But active love is labour and fortitude, and for some people too, perhaps, a complete science."
Jude: Listen pal, you can't just waltz in here, use my toaster and spout universal truths without qualification!
(Henry smells something.)
Henry: What's that?
Jude: What?
Henry: You smell that?
Jude: Oh yeah.
Henry: (Sniffs) She's left her fragrance here.
Jude: That's it. Get out!
Henry: What about my toast?
Jude: Get out!
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