tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post6342118809115278544..comments2024-01-02T15:37:04.858-05:00Comments on Caravana de recuerdos: The Night of the IguanaRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-24849993211092725002010-04-03T22:11:02.919-04:002010-04-03T22:11:02.919-04:00*Gavin: Thanks for the kind words and the "go...*Gavin: Thanks for the kind words and the "go ahead" to have more empanadas--had them three nights in a row at one point since my father-in-law took me a place we both like so much!<br /><br />*E.L. Fay: I know you're not the only one who feels this way, but I'm not sure I agree with the idea that a lot of what I'd consider the overkill theatricality actually does get "muted" on stage. I think people are just more receptive to it than I am--on paper at least, since it's been a long time since I attended a play. On the other hand, I think Williams' setting--which you've described so well--probably corresponds to a fairly accurate remembrance of the playwright from his boozed-up perspective at the time. I.e. it may be less over the top than his tone in general. I can't remember: did you see the movie yet to compare?<br /><br />*Sarah: I can understand the reactions you and Jill had since I had some of the same reservations myself. May try and start the movie tonight, but I want to read some more Proust for Frances' readalong before I get too sleepy first!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-68113847020249339642010-04-03T17:52:26.734-04:002010-04-03T17:52:26.734-04:00*Jill: While I hear what you're saying and don...*Jill: While I hear what you're saying and don't really take issue with any points that you've made, embracing the "theatricality" live is a different beast than embracing it on paper if you know what I mean. With Williams or anyone else for that matter. Also don't usually care for plays that have been transformed into films (they seem too artificial and overacted to me), but we'll see what happens with <em>Iguana</em> before too long. Thanks for reading along with us again, but I hope we can find you a readalong work that you actually enjoy one of these days!<br /><br />*Teresa: I think your point about the characters' "talkiness" prob. explains why I ended up enjoying them in spite of their over-the-top tendencies in other ways. Have to say that I haven't been to the theater in the last 5-6 years, so I envy the background that you and Frances brought to this reading. Thanks again, of course, for joining us for the discussions, and apologies to you and all the others for the delay in my response time (I was away on vacation and am only now catching up again). Cheers!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-16639875012986477642010-04-02T20:58:07.363-04:002010-04-02T20:58:07.363-04:00*Emily: I had some down time in my schedule that d...*Emily: I had some down time in my schedule that day, so I was happy to fulfill my contractual obligations from abroad. May finally get to the DVD this weekend, so I'll soon be able to see whether the corniness or the grandfathered-in affection is the cream that rises to the top for me in the celluloid version. Great anecdote about that doc, by the way!<br /><br />*Claire: We had remarkably similar reactions, didn't we? Sorry I couldn't deliver on the empanada front, but I can tell you where to find some really great ones if you ever visit Buenos Aires!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-14007936542213476842010-03-29T19:48:53.709-04:002010-03-29T19:48:53.709-04:00I definitely struggled with the format of the piec...I definitely struggled with the format of the piece - the theatrics - but I realized that I would like it much better staged, and therefore needed to immediately watch the film version. I liked the experience more, and some of the conversations were even more striking when spoken, but overall I was underwhelmed by the story.Sarah (tuulenhaiven)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11007601900702081303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-75165501170950149072010-03-28T12:25:03.567-04:002010-03-28T12:25:03.567-04:00I like your observation of the play having an &quo...I like your observation of the play having an "anachronistic vibe." That's definitely something I should've picked up on. It goes with the setting as one of overheated tropical decay, which I agree could've been a bit much but, like Rhapsody said, a lot of the grand dialogue and overdone setting probably gets muted onstage.<br /><br />You're on vacation! How very lucky!Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058705381647529328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-15841445289169469242010-03-27T21:00:57.080-04:002010-03-27T21:00:57.080-04:00I've seen the movie, I remember liking it but ...I've seen the movie, I remember liking it but it was a long time ago. As usual, your "review" is side-splittingly funny. Enjoy the empanadas!Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12865699135545209220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-59771268998112875252010-03-27T09:36:19.760-04:002010-03-27T09:36:19.760-04:00Oh, I just love the theatricality of Williams'...Oh, I just love the theatricality of Williams's plays. His characters are so over-the-top, but he still manages to make them something other than mere types. Maybe it's by having them talk so much about their feelings, making us as readers or audience members get inside their heads and see where they're coming from and even experience a little of the crazy along with them.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09896331683344872038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-81946848998779870992010-03-27T09:00:34.347-04:002010-03-27T09:00:34.347-04:00I actually want to defend the theatricality becaus...I actually want to defend the theatricality because I think the word itself tells you why a play would be written thusly; that is, on the stage, overwrought prose and big speeches and caricatured people tend, on the one hand, to get muted a bit, and on the other, contribute to the magic atmosphere that is supposed to envelope you in the theater and help you suspend reality while the lights are down. (And perhaps in a way this is also what Emily was saying - that "some of the corniness is intensified but some of it is smoothed out by the great performances.") <br /><br />I would also suggest that in 1961 we were still not really in the "modern age" with either sensibility or with thoughts about acting, and Williams' style was not aberrant for this time. In fact, this was probably the heyday of "method acting" and Williams was a perfect fit for that style of acting craftsmanship.<br /><br />...none of which is to say I liked the book all that much!rhapsodyinbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-66344767291038268992010-03-27T01:35:06.100-04:002010-03-27T01:35:06.100-04:00My sentiments exactly. But you said it a million t...My sentiments exactly. But you said it a million times better than I. So corny and cliched and the conversations dated and still enjoyable! After reading, I was craving to read more just to see maybe if I can get more satisfaction out of his other works? (And because I secretly liked the cheesiness.)<br /><br />I haven't had an empanada in five years and have been craving! Will you mail me some?clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397226316253896335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-75445607730180881142010-03-27T01:27:55.665-04:002010-03-27T01:27:55.665-04:00I can't believe you posted on Williams when yo...I can't believe you posted on Williams when you are still on VK in Argentina! Such dedication is truly commendable.<br /><br />I think my grandfathered-in affection for Williams means that some of his more over-the-top qualities don't bother me as much as they otherwise would...I remember a scene in the documentary <em>The Celluloid Closet</em> in which someone makes fun of him for the scene in his play <em>Suddenly Last Summer</em> where his main character is literally EATEN ALIVE by the "native boys" of the village after whom he'd lusted, and the interviewee says something like "Is Sebastian gay? Well, Tennessee did sometimes go a bit over the top..." :-D<br /><br />But I think I was exposed to him at just the right time, when all the theatricality seemed very appealing and raised no eyebrow. And now, of course, I will always have a soft spot. I would recommend watching the John Huston version when you get back & get a chance - some of the corniness is intensified but some of it is smoothed out by the great performances.Emilyhttp://www.eveningallafternoon.comnoreply@blogger.com