It's hard to get to see foreign films on the big screen, especially when you live in a small town, but just occasionally there are advantages.
Living in a relatively small town has advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, it's much cheaper than city living, but on the minus side getting to see the latest movies can be a problem. No Country for Old Men wasn't deemed worthy of a release here, despite its Oscar winning status, and although the local cinema does try to offer a choice, the vast majority of films inevitably tend towards the mainstream, teenage market. When they do get hold of a foreign film or a classic, it's usually only shown once. That's why I made sure I went to see La Vie En Rose, for its singular screening last Wednesday.
One of the best things about the one off Wednesday specials is that they get shown on the posh screen, which has a bar. Obviously the foreign film crowd are thought of as a well behaved bunch, who can be trusted to take beer into the cinema. It's all very civilised. Unfortunately, the normal disregard for small town audiences was in place, leading to my cinema being supplied with the very worst print available. La Vie En Rose was still watchable, but it was in no way enhanced by the presence of a nasty green line running down the screen. Worst of all, the climax to the film was beset by sound problems, giving the impression that Edith Piaf was duetting with a chicken.
Still, shouldn't complain, at least I got to see the film. Even better, on the way out everyone was handed a free ticket, by way of apology. Now I bet that never happens at the Odeon, Leicester Square!
