April 30, 2009
Hey guys,
Peter’s son brought back Solaris last weekend. He was gracious, apologized and generously paid the twenty-five-dollar late fee without trying to haggle. I couldn’t wait to share the film with Svetlana so I called her up right away. She thanked me for remembering her (as if I could ever forget the woman who’s been driving me mad for days) and said that she would pick it up as soon as she was free. I put the movie aside and waited expectantly.
The following day, the charming professor and the film at the heart of our destiny were on my mind when I came in for the evening shift, so I was disappointed to see its case no longer there. Steve was sitting quietly on his stool behind the counter, staring dimly across the store. He let out a long, contented sigh.
“I’m happy to see you Vic,” he said peacefully. His greetings were getting more profound. “I love a good shift change,” he went on, “A new energy; the cash is balanced… Zen.”
Without another word he walked out popping milk duds into his already overstuffed mouth.
Seeing as my mood can be easily influenced, I began my shift just as Steve had left his, in a state of tranquillity and contemplation. My disappointment melted away and wholesome infatuation rushed in to take its place. My meeting with Svetlana was a beautiful chance encounter; the Earth, the sun and the moon briefly aligning, but instead of falling under the shadow of an eclipse, my heart was brightly illuminated and a cosmic tingle ran down my spine.
Sooner or later, she’ll come back in and we’ll get to talk about Solaris. Our connection is already strong – I know she’ll love it.
Now allow me tell you about the movie I watched the other night. Hitchhiker’s Guide surpassed my expectations, though maybe that’s because they were low to start with. Most movies fail to jog my imagination the way the books they are based on do, but this one was lots of fun to watch. I even decided to watch it a second time at the store, which got a few of the customer’s talking.
One of them was Jed Kildare, a regular who looks more like a member of the Hell’s Angels than a typical movie buff. His head is completely shaven except for a thick goatee. To complete the effect, he tears off his T-shirtsleeves to expose a pair of mammoth biceps and some badass tattoos, but he’s a gentle giant who teaches gym at the local high school. Coach Kildare loves his job, his movies and always brings along his trusty whistle and team-first enthusiasm when he drops by for a rental.
“What a great movie! It’s funny, exciting, very well made,” he raved, then he grew serene and philosophical, “It also makes you think Vic, it really makes you think. Our lives are so fragile. Just think about it – there could be aliens out there circling our planet right now!” I could tell he was thinking hard, that this movie had opened up new avenues in his brain.
“That would be scary and exciting,” I observed.
“Exactly, dude.”
Despite my mild protest, he ended up renting Braveheart, the glorified child’s fantasy that made off with the Oscar for best picture. I get why he rents it; the David and Goliath jingoism and stirring cheers rouse the noble kilted warrior in his soul, but I’m wary of movies that depict historical figures.
Of course, I didn’t want to get into a long discussion with Jed; it would have cramped his positive vibes. In this job you need to know when to use a light touch with customers, but it is a topic I feel strongly about. Too many people learn history through the version warped by Hollywood’s simplistic requirements for good guys, bad guys and happy endings. If it’s interesting, don’t settle for the re-enactment – rent the documentary and make sure you can separate fact from fiction.
All this talk has me in the mood for a real documentary. I’m going to re-watch the powerful Hoop Dreams, which reminds me of my own days as a rising star on the university scene. Like the boys in the film, my aspirations were dashed, not in the melodramatic fashion of Braveheart, but by real life’s capriciousness. No exaggeration needed.
Comments:
drphyllis_md: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
averagejoe66: Have you given up on the cafe princess? I was getting to like her.
videostorevic: We were just two ships passing in a sea of coffee. Who knows if I’ll ever see her again?
jukeboxsuperhero: braveheart was the best. im half scottish, dont say anything bad about it or ill show up in my kilt blasting bagpipe music and get up on the counter and moon your whole store
videostorevic: Hey jukebox, there’s no place for threats on this blog. The fact that you’re half Scottish has nothing to do with my opinion on Braveheart.
Interested in movie reviews unlike any other? Sign up for free alerts from The Man Who Came to Rent Inc.
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
The Man Who Came to Rent 