Mscellany

There is not much that beats a well told tale. If it is told through television or film, a good storyteller is worth more than a billion dollars of special effects. This little film tickles and delights and causes us to ponder the wonders of medicine and the human psyche.

Spalding Gray has a "photographic memory" which allows him to describe things in fascinating detail. He also has a rather neurotic take on the world, just slightly askew from the norm...which allows us to enjoy a more entertaining vantage point. Above all, Mr. Gray loves to spin a tale. He delights in sharing stories and tying them all together in one general rant.

This particular one-man-rant appealed to me even more than his others. Perhaps I liked it because I sought alternatives cures to my own illness and know all the crazies out there. Perhaps I liked it because I was raised by an optometrist and worked in his office a few summers...just enough to appreciate his eye condition (macular pucker) and his fear. Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed this and want to share it with all my friends now.

I could not tell if this was a documentary that wanted to be a comedy or a comedy that wanted to a documentary. It lost a little of its luster because of its undefined purpose. However, it was a great bit of entertainment. The people interviewed were very serious about their belief in superior beings on other planets...such as the moon, Jupiter and Venus. It does not seem to matter that we have not found cities or signs of life in our exploration of these planets. They are building machines to help us travel to meet them, machines to translate and understand them (although some think that language is not a barrier for the aliens) and finally a "spiritual battery" powered by crystals. Fascinating stuff! Watch it and decide for yourself. As the aliens say at the end of every communication..."Adunay Vassu Baragas" which means "Farewell Good Brothers".

I memorized this soundtrack and could sing along with every song before I ever saw the play. In the many years since, I try to see this production whenever it appears...such a fun Sondheim musical. Nobobdy will ever compare to Elaine Strich's vocals on the album as a jaded, oft married, oft divorced friend of Bobby's. She is wonderful. Another great number is "Barcelona", when Bobby beds numerous airline stewardesses... very clever. Listen and enjoy!

Excellent performance by Max Von Sydow as the self-righteous missionary with a narrow vision of redemption and worship. This movie is almost as infuriating as Michenor's novel. You will not believe the horrible changes wrought upon these beautiful natives done with the best intentions. Sad and lovely film.