Film: Argylle

Last night, I flew back to Ireland for the weekend. Two notable things about the flight - the first was that it was not only on time (!), but I actually think it must have left early, given how early we arrived! Now, this is unheard of for Ryanair.. and must have had something to do with the fact that, as someone near me remarked as we passed through - Stansted was deserted. Speaking of Stansted, I loved how we had a choice of whether to go through the "new" system - and why anyone wouldn't is beyond me, considering it means you don't have to remove liquids or electricals from your bags for inspection! Anyway, the second notable thing about my flight was that I slept for practically all of it.. boy, did I need that.

The film for the weekend was - Argylle! Well, everything else I might want to see is on in the evening, which I can't manage.. and it looked fun. A spy caper involving a cute cat (apparently this breed has suddenly become very popular) - another of those where an author (Bryce Dallas Howard) discovers her plots coming to life - this stars Richard E. Grant in a cameo as the head of the fictional espionage network, with Bryan Cranston as his real-life counterpart, Dua Lipa in a cameo as the fictional baddie, Sam Rockwell as the real-life counterpart to Agent Argylle, and Samuel L. Jackson as a bigshot in the CIA. And yes, it's on in the Omniplex.

I left in good time.. just as well, with the dreadful traffic. Just sat down as the ads were starting. And wow, this is way better than I expected! From the get-go, it's a classic spy thriller, fast chases, evening dress, glamorous locations. (London has never looked prettier.) There's a really clever breaking-down of the fourth wall, as our author chats to Argylle - not to mention the suggestion that she's unwittingly describing real-life events. And it has plenty of twists and turns - you really won't expect many of them. Sam Rockwell plays a great, mostly comical, role. All great fun! Plus there's the cat.. ah, I really have to recommend this, I don't think its IMDB rating does it justice!

I only have two quibbles with the whole thing, and they're minor, cosmetic things. Firstly, about that cat - he's very obviously CGI-ed in some scenes, and it looks so artificial. I know it's nigh impossible to get a cat to follow stage directions, but still. Secondly, our author dons an evening gown for the last part of the film - and honestly, couldn't they have found one more flattering? This one does nothing for her - nor does her hairstyle. Oh well..

Back to London tomorrow, yay. On Monday and Tuesday, back with CT for the Bitesize Festival at Riverside Studios - on Monday, it's for Second Temple, a Jewish comedy.

On Tuesday, it's for All the Men Are Going to Hate Me, another comedy, about a woman trying to write the century's great (female) novel!

Then I have five (!) days of Meetup: the next three with Up in the Cheap Seats. On Wednesday, we're at When You Pass Over My Tomb, at the Arcola. A "story of love and lust beyond the grave", as described, it sounds like an interesting way to spend Valentine's Day.

On Thursday, we're at Double Feature, at Hampstead Theatre.

And on Friday, we're at Hir, a transgender comedy at Park Theatre. My companion of last Friday is coming to that as well.

Next Saturday, I'm back (whee! at last!) with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners.. I've been persuaded to redo his Dickens walk. Well, it's months since I was on one of his - and he now only does one Saturday a month, says there's no real demand! And since I can no longer go on the midweek ones, in general.. well.. it'll be great to be back with them anyway.

And on the 18th, back with Discover London - History Walks and Events: it was a while before I thought to check that website to see whether there was another walk, and there is, that day! So we're off to Discover London's Oldest Market and Original "High Street"..