Writer Photos Darrell J Banks

Stripping Varnish- A Film Theory

By Darrell J Banks

Cr 2021 All Rights Reserved World Wide

If you have ever worked on a piece of used antique furniture, you know it is not easy work. Stripping Varnish is very difficult work.

The old varnish has either faded or peeled on the surface of the wood work.  There may even be water spots underneath the first layer of old, clear varnish.

While you can use a belt sander or  even a round drill sander,  chemicals are often used to strip the old varnish off.

But the best  tried and truth  method to protect your health and the environment is hand sanding. Using a  large sheet of fine sand paper is a very slow process. You might start with a coarse sand paper if the varnish is thick, but generally you start with something smoother, something to get the job done effectively and without damaging the “antique wood’.

Which takes me to  my theory on films.  Some films immerse you within the grasp of its premise like boom.  Think of Chris Nolan’s Batman trilogy.  Then compare that to  Tenet ( see my review on that slow piece of work).

The Batman moves at a meandering pace, but it is a fast sanding job compared to Tenet ( an action picture)

This was my experience in watching the movie Ten Items or Less.    The movie starts out with Morgan Freeman, riding in a van.  Is he like playing himself or a parody of himself?  It turns out he is playing him self headed into the southern hinterlands of Los Angeles.

Now a few years ago I was stuck on a Los Angeles Freeway, something happened I panicked and well, as my hija said, she had never been to this part of South Los Angeles.

Which is the premise of this film.

Unbeknownst to most of the West and North of side of Los Angeles (Manhattan Beach, Bel Aire, Brentwood and of course Pacific Palisades) another part of the city does exist.

PREMISE

ACT 1

We find Morgan Freeman in a grocery store, the only black person there.  We have Paz Vega, making customers return items because their groceries total more then ten items.  Morgan Freeman studies her, the manager, customers and does a perfect Laurel and Hardy 1930’s comedy routine in the beginning of the film.

Act 2

Paz has a job interview, the conflict within the film has been established, she works with her usurper, who is pregnant by her husband. Can she maintain her cool with the help of Morgan Freeman to obtain the new job, her car and maybe her husband?

Act 3

Can a millionaire actor have lunch and remain friends with Paz Vega and faithful to his wife and perform chores that he actually enjoys?  Well, that question remains open  ended throughout the film.

This brief summary does not do the film justice. In fact this Hollywood film industry movie about stardom deserves a better rating.  It is comparable to the Player and the Muse with Sharon Stone. A  See the prior article on Ms. Stone. It is smooth sanding at its best.

Until next time.

Ciao.