seventies goodness

joan didion is my favorite writer, and i've always been curious as to how they adapted her 1972 (and best, i think) novel, 'play it as it lays' into a movie, but could never find out as the movie isn't available on video and i've never seen it listed as airing on tv, either.

as it turns out, the egyptian theatre on hollywood blvd. is running a 70's film festival all month, and we went with friends last night to see the movie there (after a delicious dinner at the pig 'n' whistle of -- wait for it -- nachos made out of wontons -- am i in heaven??).

wow! it was amazing. i forget how great american movies once were and how flippin' french-like! also, because l.a. and its desert surroundings are such a big part of the emotional landscape of the movie (and the novel), we ate it up. and the clothes! j'adore! also, i'm wondering if all the reports of smog's effect on the body are exaggerated, cause that '70s l.a. air was brown as gravy, yo, and my next door neighbors who have lived in the same house for 60 years, enveloped in said smog, are 93 and 96 and drag their trashcans up from the street (50 yards i'd say) their own damn selves!

aside from the aesthetics, the performances were fantastic, especially tuesday weld (talk about 'whatever happened to...') and anthony perkins. if you ever get a chance to see this one, do. it is well worth it (and the novel makes for a great summer read, particularly if read while doing something debauched, like smoking by a pool with no sunblock on).