Film: Searching

Tonight, I was thinking film, and enthused about what was on the list - BlaKkKlansman and Searching, tying at the top. I decided I'd rather Searching, the story of a man who tries to track his missing teenage daughter's movements through her online profile, finding many surprises in the process. Very claustrophobic, all focussing on a computer screen - and wouldn't that be a busman's holiday, considering I spend my whole day doing the same! It's showing at my local cinema, but unfortunately too early, given that I had an evening meeting that I couldn't get out of. So instead, I'd have to go to the later showing at the Vue West End. What the hey, it did sound good.

Wouldn't you know it, the very most important attendee at that meeting had sent an email to say he'd be in training, and wouldn't be able to make it. With an eight-hour time difference, I got confused, and didn't realise he was talking about today..! No meeting! Naturally, off I schlepped to the Vue Islington then, for the early showing, which I could walk to, and which costs less than half the West End price. Result!

What you might not quite call a gale was definitely a strong breeze as I headed up there - but I managed, and arrived a little beforehand. Now, it's a while since I was in the Vue, and I'd forgotten that what they say on the ads is true - it is cheaper to book online. Which I did from the lobby, cheekily. Your email acts as your ticket, so that's ok - however, this is showing in Screen 10.. which turns out to be downstairs. I'd never been there before. When I got down there, it transpired that the door, which is near the main lobby door, has code access, and you have to get the code from a staff member who's verified your ticket - back upstairs. Duh. Got my email barcode scanned, got a slip of paper from them that had the code written on it. Back down again. And yes, it worked.

By 'eck, it's a comfy cinema! The showing was actually mostly booked out by the time I finally booked, and I was a little close to the screen - but the legroom is superb, and the seats are soft leather. It filled up, mostly, and there was some popcorn-rustling.. I'm happy to say that it didn't impinge on my film-watching experience at all.

Yes, it was just like being in the office - they use iPhones and Macs (is it sponsored by Apple?), and for goodness' sake, the thing is even set in San Jose! (Our West Coast office is there, too.) The entire film consists of the contents of a computer screen, which displays Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, YouCast, Twitter, and whatever else happens to be on the desktop. It's the story of John Cho, who seems to work for a software company, whose wife dies of cancer in the early part of the film, and who's become distant from his teenage daughter (her acting debut, and an excellent one!). So when she goes missing, he's not even sure who her friends really are! Quite realistically, he manages to hack her social media accounts - all he needs is to get into her email accounts first, to which the verification codes are sent, so he can reset her passwords. Debra Messing is compelling as the detective in charge of the case, once he finally decides to report her missing.

It uses some social media that I use, some I don't, and some I'd never heard of - but it's all believable. Cleverly, the story debunks the idea that Facebook friends are the same as real ones, and only by digging around on her laptop, which she's left behind, does he find clues about where he should really be looking. À la Agatha Christie, there's a hidden clue at this early point, although you'd have to be really imaginative to make anything of it - however, it is an indication of the film's attention to detail. Kudos.

I adored the twists and turns - as he uncovers more detail on her various social platforms, the story takes completely new directions - and although the various reviews are disparaging of the extreme twist at the end, I loved it! Again, it's believable, and several good stories have a twist in the tail. The observation of the story through various screen windows does put us at a remove, and I found a lack of emotional engagement - but it is a fascinating thriller, and don't give up on the story too soon - it does seek to wrongfoot the audience, and that twist is coming, believe me!

Glad to have gone to the early showing, as I have to be up fairly early tomorrow.. to get to Heathrow.. to fly to Madrid.. for my first U2 concert of the year, that evening..! I've bought a pocket guidebook (and a Kindle version), sourced a continental adaptor. I'm sure I'll find my t-shirts.. somewhere.. even managed to find travel miniatures in Boots as I was leaving the cinema, tonight! Staying in the Novotel Madrid Center, just a block away from the concerts at the Wizink Center. Olé!

Yes, concerts. I have one on Friday too. ;-)

I'm staying for the weekend - it makes a change from Barcelona, which is great, but I've been so often before - and having been to Madrid before and seen most of the city sights, I always wanted to go to El Escorial. Well, I am on Saturday morning.. way too early, ugh! English-language tour, with Ticketbar. And that night, I'm finally fulfilling my ambition of seeing a flamenco show in Madrid - love Flamenco! La Quimera is just up the road from the hotel - show includes a meal.

I fly back, exhausted, on Sunday. With Ryanair, carefully avoiding any of their strikes. On Monday, back with Let's Do This for Duo at Wilton's - always a great night, there. Always great company with them, too!

On Tuesday, our now-monthly writers' social event - we're just going for drinks, this time, what with work pressures.

Next Wednesday, finally back with London Literary Walks for his final walk of the year. Vanity Fair, and I'm the only one has signed up for it - tsk! Damned if I'm missing this one, though.

On the 27th, I'm with my £3.60 club for the final night of Between Us, at Theatre N16. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 1st, back with North London Friends for Every Day I Make Greatness Happen, at Hampstead Theatre - which I hear great things about. Nice to get a group discount, too.

And on the 2nd, another thing I've heard great things about - I'm taking myself to Eugenius, at The Other Palace. Finally, after all the praise I've heard of it.. This theatre used to be known as St. James', and is dreadful for legroom - take an aisle seat if you're at all lanky of leg!