In light of recent events on this blog - specifically last days blog post, and the nature of comments in the comments section of that post, my mind went to this old stage play. I have been searching high and low for this one - for years! I was shocked to find it on YouTube.
This is a part of Sam Shepard's True West. A stage play that was filmed, starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. Quite possibly the best ever dark comedy stage play I have ever seen.
The story revolves around a writer (Sinise), and his troubled brother (Malkovich) who shows up after being gone for many years. I am not going to spoil anything - because I will recommend you find this one and watch it in full. It appears you can get the whole play in segments like this one from YouTube, but I'm sorry to say that the capture isn't all that great. The picture is very dark.
As I said at the beginning - all this talk about writing, about darkness and about the human psyche that's been going on made me think about this stage play. I think this captures the mood set in these comments quite well... and it does it in a very funny way.
PS. You only need to watch the first 4-5 minutes. The "pen or pencil" sequence is what is important here. I couldn't find only that scene in a clip, so feel free to stop watching once the phone is over and done with ;)
Malkovich is simply brilliant in this one!
27 comments:
I have not thought of this play in years. I think I might have to go rent the film today.
Uh. I think if I knew the context the scene it would have made more sense. LOL.
You should know that my respect for you has increased by seeing how you handled all the confrontation that came your way from "unsigned".
Have a great weekend. :-)
Malkovich is riveting. Sinise is heartbreaking (I watched all the way - there's a close-up of Sinise's face that just struck me).
There's about 5 lines that I loved - just in the first 4 minutes.
Funny - Malkovich always looks the same to me. Sinise looks so much older now.
I hate watching anything on Youtube for more than a few minutes but I feel I may need to see this beginning to end.
Cheating again...haven't played the video. But, in my new obsessive effort I have to post one comment [of often three] to each of your blogs.
I've added it to list along with WWC and PFC...
Gotta make dinner. Hope to have something better to say if I get the computer back tonight.
I really gotta' find a way to fund that Laptop!!! Then, I could take "everyone" with me, everywhere...um, almost everywhere.
Catch ya' laters!
Knight: Can this one actually be rented? With Malkovich and Sinise?
As I mentioned, I've been searching high and low for this one for years. Now I haven't looked every day - and I guess it may be a year or two since I last tried, but I was shocked when it popped into my head, and I caught it on YouTube.
(Watched the whole thing through YouTube, in those 10 minute clips - darn this one is good!)
Karen: Yeah, I forgot about that. I should've explained a little - but I hadn't seen it in 10 years myself, so I had limited memory of what lead up to the scene. That scene alone was what I remembered the most.
Sparkling Red: Thanks. It's been an inspiring challenge.
Dianne: Malkovich is simply outstanding in this one. Yes, you should watch the entire film - it's truly worth your time.
I have a hard time seeing Gary Sinise in C.S.I. New York these days...
Farmer's Wife: You should watch the clip. It is guaranteed to make you laugh ;)
So you'll be a three times a day stalker... good thing my lucky number is 3 ;)
I've got a laptop that I rarely use... I like my stationary ;)
John Malkovich and Gary Sinise are both really awesomely talented actors!
As far as I can find only used DVDs of True West can be found online. And the cheapest price is $80!!! Wow!
Whoa! I just went back to read the comments in the previous thread. Anon/Unsigned has a lot of free time on her hands.
Why is that when you get heckled it's by somebody who can write looooong and rather interesting comments and mine just call me a "pig?"
Wait, don't answer that. I might come off as looking bad. LOL ;-)
My computer is becoming possessed. Last night was the flippin' the bird and tonight, it just generally is trying my patience. F*#er!
But, I am already frust-er-a-ted (Can't really spell it anymore as I have it imbedded in my head the way my 4 yr old says it) cuz' just as soon as I steal away a few minutes to watch the "video" I get a "visitor." "We neEEEed COLD water.
CRAP-EE-ola. Okay. So what I "did actually get to watch" was the whole freak out scene with needing the numbers and not having a pen or pencil and I TOTALLY LMAO and fell outa' my chair crying laughing! Whew! Needed that.
You gotta' read my post about "The List" or Thursday's List or whatever I called it to understand my obnoxious laughter that he didn't have a writing tool available.
Oh, and I also related cuz' I have meltdowns like that almost every other day -- kid induced, of course. If they get to melt down, I've taught them....SO...do...I.
But, on a side note: Gary was really good in "Forrest Gump." And, I like CSI...all sorts. But, Tom Hanks is a better actor (or, just got better scripts? I remember those Boosom Buddy days.) CRAP Kids calling and Hubby found me...living in bloggie world again [he doesn't get it].
Please let me know if I am going over my word count (don't wanna' be an anon or anything...s/he probably won't find that funny like I do).
Now does anyone have a post it note?
Jay: What? $80 for a used DVD? Well, it IS that good though...
...and on the Anon/Unsigned comments. Yeah, I do prefer this psycho-analysis over someone stepping in here calling me a "pig", hehe.
Farmer's Wife: Are you sure your computer hasn't been possessed?
Yeah, when Malkovich freaks out is the best scene in the movie.
"This is the LAST time, that I try to live with PEOPLE, boy!" - that line cracks me up.
And of course, screaming to himself:
"Now, here I am... here I am again in a totally desperate situation"
God, I wish it was me who wrote "True West" - how proud I would be of a piece like that.
Unsigned: Now, I'm sorry - but I'm not following you there...
"This is the LAST time, that I try to live with PEOPLE, boy!"
that line killed me! as did - "she must have a pencil, she is a social person isn't she?"
and when he muttered to himself - "maybe it was Fresno"
didn't want to ruin anyone else's fun but I love to quote favorite lines and now that you did I came back to still the beast that is my need to quote.
That was great, REH...I never knew this existed! The 2 lines Dianne posted are the ones that slayed me too--I'm thinking of using the first one on my boys the next time I'm mental, I mean menstrual LOL Malkovich is brilliant, he always delivers.
My favorite part was where he found the pencil!
I rented it at either Tower Records or the Performing Arts Library a few years back. I didn't realize it would be so hard to find again.
Re: Your comment on my post...
Believe it or not, my white balance WAS on. That's actually how yellow the light fixtures in the bathroom are. It's really weird what people in the 80's thought were cool. Bleh.
PFC day!! PFC day!!! Yippee, hurrray for PFC day! [checking computer every ten minutes to see if the new PFC is there. Patiently, as I do understand you have a life beyond bloggie world.]
Okay, I'll get back to mine. [check back in ten? Though?]
I'm here. I'm reading. I'm busy. Sorry I haven't commented lately. I'll be better. Promise.
Here's a story idea for you to run with....
Me
You
Gary Sinise
Go!
Dianne: I also love how he says the
"Now, how can that be?"
and the
"Give me all ten of them then"
to the operator.
Don't worry about ruining it for anyone. If they don't watch the clip BEFORE they read the comments, they only have themselves to blame ;)
Jo: Do try to find the full movie to watch - it's good like this from start to finish. Worst case you can watch it in full on YouTube (I did, cause I can't find the darn thing anywhere).
Not only WHERE he found the pen - but the REACTION! when he does ;)
Tink: Are you saying that the light is that yellow when you see it with your own eyes? Wow..
Otherwise, if you use auto White Balance it may not correct it enough... manual WB should be available on most cameras (not necessarily those that are in fact intended for still photography - like my camera - it only has pre-set)
Farmer's Wife: I'm fixin' to post the PFC challenge soon. Will finish replying, and then I'll gather some pictures and write out the post.
Been working all day... just got home ;)
Jen: Good. As long as I know you haven't left me for good ;)
Leighann: That's not a satisfactory combo for me...
How'z about:
You
Me
Kate Hudson
?
Now there's a premise that gets MY creative juices flowing ;)
Now This I liked!! I have only looked at NY CSI when CSI Miami came together to solve a crime, but I will not look at it the same either, since I have seen him act in this.
Single!
Single In The City: See, I only know of quality movies ;)
Sinise impressed me in this one. I haven't seen him perform to this standard ever since. It's a shame, really.
Malkovich will ALWAYS give a mindblowing performance (ever seen him in "Of Mice And Men"?)
OMG you have a DEAL!
Me
You
Kate Hudson
I can't wait :D
Leighann: D'you think Paramount will pick up the rights for that script?
you know what struck me about this play? It's that, this is probably going on somewhere in the world. I've never seen it but I'm going to have to find it. Malkovich is beyond describing!
Sad...he reminds me of Babyboy whenever he's in a 'mood'....
TT: Many years ago... a theater group I was with aimed to do this play (I was the one who introduced it), and I was going to play Lee (Malkovich).
That would've been so much fun!
I randomly came across on youtube over a year ago and I've never been able to forget it since. Powerful stuff. Gary Sinise and John Malkovich are equally amazing in this. I don't think ive ever seen acting as jaw droppingly fantastic! But now that its been taken off youtube I have no way of seeing it again :/ do any of you know where i could get this? Either online or by dvd. I'm in Ireland so the dvd would have to be able to play over here. Thanks :)
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