Last night I got to hang out with Brandon for the first time since he left LL, really. We caught The Queen at the Century, and it was superb. If Helen Mirren does not win Best Actress then something is seriously wrong–she was so dead on that she literally disappeared into the role. At no point did I feel I was watching a performance. In fact, everything about the whole movie was so well-crafted, so underplayed and straightforward. I was talking to Brandon about the fact that when Princess Di was killed, I really had no emotional reaction to it; so, watching the film last night I had a definiite detachment that made everything a lot more interesting. Simultaneously detached and fully engaged, an interesting tension. I think Frears’ direction was spot-on: he didn’t go over the top, beat us over the head; it was just “here’s the story and I trust it’s solid enough to present to you simply.” Why does restraint seem so difficult for contemporary filmmakers? Is it all the bells and whistles that technology has made available to us? Screw all that. A good story doesn’t necessary require all that, and a bad one isn’t disguised by them.

Then after the film we had dinner at a new Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. BYO (which I love). Very loud and boisterous, but somehow I didn’t mind. Great food too. Brandon got me all caught up on the latest theater gossip. 

Andy was having a Long Existential Moment last night, which I caught the tail end of. His assigment for me today is to complile a dossier for him entitled “What I’m Doing With My Life” and email it to him. Perhaps the NSA can help. I gave him a lengthy hug before leaving for work. Good coffee first thing in the morning makes the whole day better.