The month of May might as well be known as Women’s Month because all of the Orinda Theatre films featured explore nearly every aspect of what it means to be a woman.
Starting on a light note, we have “Victor/Victoria” starring Julie Andrews and Robert Preston. Here they play, respectively, a down-on-her-luck starving vocalist and a drag performer who takes her in.
Blake Edwards, known for his many farces – as well as being Ms. Andrews’ husband in real life – directs with verve, taking every opportunity to rid Andrews of her squeaky clean image by putting her in scandalous situations. And what could be more scandalous than having her play a female impersonator in 1934 Paris?
Complicating a complicated matter even more, there’s James Garner, who strongly suspects everything is not as it appears, and goes to considerable lengths to prove it. This is a case of predictable outcomes, but getting there is half the fun. It will show at the Orinda on May 15. Admission free.
Next, as part of the Orinda Classic Movie Matinee series, we have “The Women.” Notable for its all-female cast, including Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer, this film is fairly dripping with sharp, acidic, rapid-fire dialogue. Although the tagline says, “it’s all about men,” a stronger theme would doubtless be the interactions between its central and secondary character, of which there are many. In many ways it’s an anthology film as it tells several stories at once. It will screen at 1 p.m. on May 27.
Lastly, the International Film Showcase gifts us with a film from Iceland. Of all the films mentioned, this one approaches this column’s theme from the side. “Odd Fish” tells the story of two long-time friends who run a successful though seasonal fish restaurant.
Good fortune comes their way when an opportunity presents itself that would allow them to stay open all year round. This good fortune is tempered slightly when it’s revealed that one of them has been leading an inauthentic life and now feels safe enough to reveal she is trans, or more accurately pansexual.
As this takes place in a fairly-close knit community, this revelation is met with trepidation, especially from the other friend, who, though they have grown up together, is quite taken aback at the news.
Still, I should be quick to note, this is the sort of film that approaches the subject matter with gentle humor and compassion – an attitude that should be more universally adopted. No dates have been set yet in May, but be sure to check out internationalshowcase.org or orindamovies.com for this and other non-cinematic information.
And, with that, I leave you to, as I always recommend, veer towards those wonderful images made of sound and light, for that’s where the reel magic lies.
