Last night, I stumbled on an unwatched movie in my queue and decided to give it a shot.

I haven’t always been a Neil Simon fan... and perhaps it’s safe to say I’m still not. The one exception that springs to mind is Barefoot in the Park, but there are three distinct reasons for that. 1.) The first time I saw it was a local theater production, and the female lead was insanely hot. 2.) In the movie, Jane Fonda was also insanely hot. 3.) Most importantly, the character that drew me into the play/movie amidst all of the fighting and panic was the character of Victor Velasco... a passionate man of the world who lives life on his own terms with no fear—something I can identify with and the kind of person I strive to become.

Anyway, I enjoyed Barefoot enough to seek out other Neil Simon works, which lead me to last night’s entertainment, Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Even in typing that, I mistyped “not” for “hot” and was super tempted to leave it.

I always enjoy Alan Arkin, and in this movie he was superb. But the movie felt more like a tragedy than a comedy to me... again, I think that’s just a trait of Simon’s movies.

I felt incredibly sad for Arkin’s character, Barney. He was more of a mouse than a man, and with each woman he invited to his mother’s home for an affair, I became ill at how trapped he was in his head, and how it ultimately ruined each attempt.

Since Simon is known for writing about his own life, I wonder if he was as tragic in life as his characters are on stage and on the screen.

Yes, Barney Cashman is a tragic character. I read once that the best characters are the ones that learn nothing from life’s little lessons. Well, that may be so, but frankly, I just find them pathetic.

Someone, please, stop me before I decide to watch another of Simon’s tales... or tell me if any of them include a vivacious, inspiring character like Victor Velasco.

And if you don’t hear from me in a week, I will be at the Nacional Hotel in Mexico City... room 703!

What i'm listening to:

Wot’s It to Ya?
Robbie Nevil
Robbie Nevil