What Happened Was
Director: Tom Noonan
Screenwriters: Tom Noonan
Institute History
The date: a concept begun In puberty, sometimes abandoned for committed
relationships, springing up at unexpected—perhaps unwanted moments,
possibly a perennial lifestyle. A form of social confrontation
and Interaction that is often pleasurable, yet more often painful
Jackie, a secretary In a law firm, invites Michael. a paralegal
coworker, 10 her place for dinner. The film is primarily in Jackie's court.
We watch her change clothes five limes before Michael arrives' sexy,
sexy-comfortable, nonthreatening, plain, which? Then she rearranges
her space, the only locale in the film—a vibrant blue, mysterious loft
with a view of looming industrial buildings.
Michael arrives, clutching his briefcase. He IS uncomfortable, she is
uncomfortable. He has been to Harvard Law School, but didn't graduate.
She comes from Brooklyn and the Bronx and has had many demeaning
jobs. She is sensual; he acts as if he has never been touched They say
things like, "That's a joke, right' Oh, I gel it," and jump from topic to
topic. Finally they reach a subject that interests them both—writing. He
admits he is working on an expose of the firm; she claims she writes
children's fairy tales and he asks her 10 read one.
At this point, the film and its couple move into a different realm, the
"fairy tale" room. Lit by candles, it is as suffocating as the other room is
vast She begins 10 read her tale, a magnificent story of magic, child
abuse, terror. When she finishes, Michael is more uncomfortable than
ever. Nevertheless they risk a brief moment of intimacy, brought on by
the mystery of the fairy tale. The date moves toward its inexorable conclusion
as the alienated couple grapple with feelings of unaccepted
vulnerability, dashed attraction and miscalculated knowledge.
Has either been changed by this experience? Perhaps not, but we,
the third party in this triangle, have been Invited 10 share In a strange
intimacy. Even if we refuse, we still have a frame of reference in the
netherworld of our own psyches.
—Andrea Alsberg
Sunday Jan 23 1:20 pm
Holiday Village Cinema II
Monday Jan 24 10:20 pm
Holiday Village Cinema II
Wednesday Jan 26 4:20 pm
Holiday Village Cinema II
Friday Jan 28 Noon
Prospector Square Theatre
$7.00
- Dramatic Feature
- 1994, Sundance Film Festival
- U.S.A., 90 min.
- Awards
- Grand Jury Prize Dramatic