Blizzard

We’re supposed to get a blizzard late this afternoon. It’s supposed to last through Monday afternoon at some point. 

A blizzard, by the by, is different than your basic snowstorm. What makes a blizzard? Winds greater than 35 mph and visibility of less than 1/4 mile/white out conditions for extended periods of time (at least 3 hours).

Up to two feet of heavy versus fluffy snow, big strong winds (with tears in their eyes?), and coastal flooding is expected. Valhalla, in case you’ve forgotten, is on the coast. Am I worried? Not particularly. I think most of the big, old trees closest to our houses have already come down. I’m just hoping the power doesn’t go out.

Ten and Jen made a big run to the grocery and Trader Joe’s yesterday so we have snacks to go along with our books and movies. At worst we may lose power later and be forced to read by the light of our camping lanterns. Yes, I’m fully aware that I’d wear heels and makeup before I’d go camping (and none of that’s gonna happen in this lifetime) BUT I’m smart enough to have some of the useful outdoorsy type gear hanging about.

Last night Jen, Oni, Kevin, Walter, and I rewatched Big Night (actually, I think it’s the first time Walter’s seen it). I don’t know why it’s billed as a comedy. It’s a warm, very bittersweet story. A comedy? Nope.

Primo and Secundo’s restaurant is not succeeding despite the fact that Primo (Tony Shalhoub) is an absolutely brilliant chef. Secundo (Stanley Tucci) asks for help from Pascal (Ian Holm), the slimy owner of the significantly more successful (but decidedly inferior) Italian restaurant across the street. 

Pascal says he knows Louis Prima and can get him to stop by for a meal, a party. This will create a HUGE buzz, attracting loads of new customers thus saving the business. Primo and Secundo go all out to make this happen.

Apart from this, I’d forgotten so much. Isabella Rossellini is in this. Oddio, I pity the actors who had to appear alongside her. She is absolutely incandescent. Unmatched.

I did remember that the evening’s big guest of honor, Louis Pima, never shows, but I forgot why. Pascal never made the call. He set them up to fail. He wanted Primo and Secundo’s restaurant to go under. Why? He wanted to force Primo to come and work for him in his third rate, chain restaurant-esque spaghetti house.

The party, despite the celeb no-show, was brilliant. The food scenes were positively orgasmic (except for the thankfully brief dead boar scene which was just a bit gross). The conversation between tired and tipsy Gabriella (Rossellini) and Phyllis (Minnie Driver) is interesting.  It’s not about the words. Maybe none of the movie is. Maybe it’s all a metaphor.

Gabriella clues Secundo in on what Pascal has done – the cheat, the betrayal, the dirty trick. Primo wants to go back to Rome – he and Secundo can work for an uncle there. Secundo is adamant about staying in the U.S. They fight. Secundo then confronts Pascal, basically telling him to fuck all the way off. They’ll never, ever work for him.

Primo and Secundo come back together in the kitchen of their restaurant. It’s morning. Secundo makes scrambled eggs for them and it’s like watching Baryshnikov perform simple turns – it looks so casual, so effortless. Beautiful.

I want a sequel. I want to know what the brothers did next. Did they stay together in the U.S. – find work in another restaurant (NOT Pascal’s!)? Did they both move back to Rome? Did Gabriella leave that scumbag? Did Primo ever see his crush, the neighborhood florist (Allison Janney) again? 

One more thing – the actor Tony Shalhoub is my absolute favorite in everything he’s in.

Men in Black  √
Big Night  √
Galaxy Quest  √
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel  √

Okay, he’s been in a ton more movie and teevee shows than just these but…you get my point. Right?