This was another momentous week in U.S. history. For many of us, the fact that actions have consequences was gratifying. Now on to Joe Biden’s inauguration and the next step in dealing with the soon-to-be former president.
When not watching or reading the news, the Chief Penguin and I turned to other diversions, a feature film and compelling and engaging TV programs.
SWEET FILM
Sylvie’s Love (Amazon Prime)
This is a 1950’s love story about a young black couple. Sylvie’s father owns a record store in New York and Robert, a talented saxophonist, works there one summer. When his job ends, Sylvie and Robert part ways only to reconnect some years later. How their relationship plays out will both tug at your heartstrings and make you smile. The soundtrack is wonderful with jazz and many pop hits of the early rock ‘n roll era. It brought back my own memories of that age.
SOBER DISSECTION OF AN ASSAULT
Room 2806: The Accusation (Netflix)
This is a 4-part documentary by a French director. It peels back the layers of the 2011 sexual assault case brought by Nafissatour Diallo, a hotel maid, against Dominque Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund. Against the backdrop of French politics and the expectation that Strauss-Kahn could be the next French president, DSK’s politics and personal life are carefully examined. He’s a brilliant and successful economist with three wives and a reputation as a womanizer.
Diallo, an immigrant single mother with one daughter, works hard at the Sofitel Hotel, and yet her life is scrutinized to an extreme. New York City police brass and detectives are interviewed as are DSK’s lawyers, French and American journalists, and Diallo herself. The series is comprehensive, probing, and ultimately damning. It’s hard to view it and come away believing anything but that Strauss-Kahn was guilty of a sex crime. (~JWFarrington)
PARIS CHIC
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
This comedy about a young American woman in Paris is fun and frivolous. Emily is a substitute marketer from Chicago sent to provide an American perspective to a French firm. She doesn’t speak any French, is unsophisticated and overly direct, and sometimes just clueless. I thought she might become tedious, but I’m enjoying her adventures. Add in wonderful scenes of Paris landmarks plus a stunning wardrobe and you too might be hooked!
BOOKS IN MY STACK
For me, Christmas always means lots of new books and this one was no exception. Here are a few of the titles I will be reading in the weeks ahead.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd (novel)
Divorcing by Susan Taubes (novel, 1969)
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (historical novel)
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro (memoir and book club title for February)
Mill Town by Kerri Aresenault (nonfiction about the paper industry in a Maine village)
Hamnet was my favorite book of 2020. I highly recommend it!