The City Sleeps

Since seeing a trailer for Quiet City a few months back, I'd been eagerly awaiting the chance to watch it. Last night was my chance. This really is a simple story by Aaron Katz, with a simple backdrop and just a hint of a soundtrack. Jamie (Erin Fisher) comes to New York to meet up with a friend who never shows and ends up meeting Charlie (Cris Lankenau), who tries to help her find her friend. They end up spending the next 24 hours together, hanging out and getting to know each other.

Part of the reason I loved this movie so much was because the characters were so ... real. I could relate with what they were doing, saying, feeling. Jamie was the kind of girl I could be friends with. I loved her hair and wanted to ask where she got her cute red shoes. Things she would giggle about were things I have giggled about, I understood her looks she gave to Charlie. And Charlie reminded me so much of an ex-boyfriend, it made me wish for the simplicity of someone in a hooded sweatshirt and holey jeans. Charlie is the guy you glance over at a party but once you start to talk to him a little bit of you falls in love.

The scenery is beautiful. A lot of still shots of trees and buildings are shown throughout. There are many shots of just a hand, close up of someones eye, a book in the corner. The film was actually full of the kinds of photos I like to take. More than once I thought "I would love to have that scene on my wall".

Basically, this was an easy movie to enjoy. I loved the story, I loved the characters and when the credits began to roll, I had a smile on my face.

Afternoon Daydreams

Lets just go. Get out of this grey city where everyone knows our stories. Pack up your bags and we'll go, drive south to the coast where the sand is soft and the ocean sings lullabies to the stars up in the sky. We'll take photos of buildings and people standing against cars broke down on the highway. I'll find the perfect light to capture your perfect smile and you'll tell me to stop distracting you as you drive. Looking out the dirtied window I'll pretend to pout as I watch abandoned fields fly by. You'll turn up our favorite song and we'll sing to passersby and they will smile, wishing to be on our adventure. The night will turn cold and I will blow warm breath onto the glass and draw hearts and stars. You'll decide to stop for the evening in a gas station parking lot where there will be dimmed street lights shining in our direction. We'll sleep uneasy dreams and wake exhausted in the day.

I will take over the wheel as you gaze out into the world. You'll take photos of yourself against the ever changing backdrop we pass. I'll tell you my new favorite joke and you'll roll your eyes as I laugh hysterically. The day will turn warmer the further south we ride and we'll lean our arms outside as the sun burns our skin to an amber brown. I'll gaze up into the sky and wish to be a bird, able to fly so free and unafraid. We will take a wrong turn and discover an old rusted barn. I'll insist on exploring and you'll insist we turn right back around but as usual I will win. Behind the barn will be a flower garden, somehow maintained though the rest has gone to pieces. I pluck an orange bloom and place it behind my ear. We will take a photo of us leaning against the rusted red wall. You'll see something inside and we will make our way in, giggling nervously. We will have discovered a secret hideaway, a mattress covered in red sheets and a bouquet of daisies lying upon the pillows. A photograph of young lovers smiling will sit on a pile of books. You'll look at me and I will nod and we will leave quiet and calm. We take the road back to our destination, both thinking about our own stories hidden away. If only they could be as beautiful.

Finally the coast will appear and we will cry out joyfully. It will be just dusk, when the sun begins to make it's way to bed and the fireflies begin their dance. We will stroll barefoot down to the water and feel the blue water soak us between the toes. I'll lie down on the warm sand and smile into the setting sun. You'll take a place beside me and take our photo once more. We'll close our eyes and fall asleep to the ocean's lullaby and wonder if anything had ever been so perfect.