
A few nights ago, when Matt and I viewed THE GRADUATE again, it reminded me that I still had Alvin's screenplay, and I couldn't wait to read it again. Well I did, and now I can't stop thinking about it! It's so good. It was written in 1988, and has that feel of what Matt would call "The Golden Age of Cinema" (1967-1982). It's such a wonderful character piece, and I pictured the main character as a cross between a grown-up Benjamin (from THE GRADUATE) and Roy Neary (from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS). I love how there are moments of pure "being" in it. And the story is so beautiful; it's about a person who's at a pivotal turning point in his life, and you can feel the pull toward each side. He will either become completely introverted (giving into his fears of the world), or find a way to break free of it at last. Thinking about it now, PURGATORY HOUSE, ODD BRODSKY and MADLY IN LOVE all have a common main theme: the heroes are trying to break free of their self-imposed limitations, to create a more passionate and fulfilling life for themselves. That seems to be my archetype!
To be honest, Alvin has been a hero of mine for quite awhile, and he doesn't know it. I never told him and we've sort of lost touch. He's been so supportive of me, and of my career as an actress and as a director. Back when I originally read this script, I wanted to impress him, and somehow think I held back by not saying how much I loved this piece. I am sheepish to admit that I can be very shy, and I have never expressed to him how much I admire him (both as a person AND as an artist) or how honored I felt that he let me read this personal script! Life is so short. I'm going to send him a letter and tell him how I feel.
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