Originality Staged

The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on Delaware, PA presented their Annual Series of Staged Readings February 27th and 28th featuring presentations of plays chosen to be the finalist of The Shawnee Playhouse 2011 Original Playwright Contest. Those reading the works while seated were Travis Southard, Kevin Hillman, Mark Lichty, Nance Brown, Mark Pender, Kim Moldovan, and Midge McClosky who served the event as it’s emcee and the Playhouse as its General Manager. The plays were varied in style and topics and members of the audience were given an opportunity to select their favorite play. The play generating the most interest will become a full production at The Shawnee Playhouse in January 2011.

The plays read on Saturday February 27th at 2pm were “Mandarin Dinner For One” by John E. McGuigan, “Orpheus” by Paul Adam Smeltz (Yeah, that’s me), “Occasional Versus” by Robert Grogan, “A Night in the Toll Booth/Pyscho Soccer Mom” by Tom Hudak, “Whimsical Grimm” by Stephen A. Williams. The plays read later that day at 8pm were “Keeping My Voice Down” by Craig Czury, “Tolstoi in Trepidation” by Maureen Bunns Shannon, and “Spanakopita” by Larry Rosler. On Sunday February 28th at 2pm the plays to be presented are “Light From Us would Set the Sun on Fire” by Craig Czury, “On Innocent Ears Befallen” by Jonathon Davies, “Ethereal Killers” by Zanne Hall, “The Scranton Poem Opera” by Craig Czury, and “Ukelele Land” by Uke Jackson. I was only able to attend the Saturday 2pm performance.

However, if my experience that afternoon was any indication how the remainder of the series went, I would say it was a great time to be in the theatre. It was wonderful being able to hear new and exciting works written for the stage while imagining in your mind’s eye what they would look like upon the stage in a full production. This exploration into our imaginations were enhanced by the opportunity to actually selecting a play that will become a full production in the future. It was like being a producer with plays being in audition.

I was pleased to have my play, “Orpheus,” included among them. From a playwright’s perspective, it was good to be able to hear my work. Every writer knows the act of writing is a solitary one with certain limitations. You can read your work over and over, you can mouth the words to your self, or you can email it to friends to see what they think. But, until you actually hear someone else read the words, you never really know the language of the piece you’re writing. How does it sound? Is there a natural flow in the dialogue? Are the themes germane to the work being communicated? All these questions and more can be answered by hearing the work thus enabling us writers to modify, enhance, or discard aspects of it.

Although I had hoped to win the competition, I mainly wanted to hear how my play sounded so I could determine whether it needed more work. Well, I heard it and it does. I’ve discovered some inconsistencies and repetitions I had no idea existed from just reading the material silently to myself. I have come to believe quite some time ago it is bad form to vote for yourself in this type of competition. I voted for another play but not merely because if was in good form to do so. I felt the play was much better written than my play as it presently is and would be a much better production. It was very amusing and I’m still thinking of the funny lines it contained.

As I’ve mentioned, I only attended one of the three presentations and I haven’t seen all of the plays to be selected. So, I won’t reveal the play I voted because, if another play is selected, it might indicate the audience didn’t chose the best of the plays presented. This may be a slightly egotistical presumption on my part as it may not matter if I reveal who I vote for or not. But, just in case it does matter in some parallel universe….

The final series of plays to be presented in a Staged Reading will be 2pm today. It may be already too late for many of those reading this to attend. I’m sorry this did not get to you sooner as it was a very good experience for those who love the theatre and would like to catch a glimpse in the theatrical process. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Theatre 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The next Shawnee Playhouse presentations will be “A Wee Bit O’ The Irish” by Rod Foote March 5th - 14th, “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde March 27th - April 11th, and The Center Stage Players’ production of “Fuddy Meers” by David Lindsay-Abaire April 30th - May 9th.

Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $3.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse Productions (excluding Children Theatrical Productions and those presented by non Shawnee Production Companies). Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse at 570-421-5093 for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Websites and email addresses of those mentioned in this article are The Shawnee Playhouse at www.theshawneeplayhouse.com and The Center Stage Players at centerstageplayers@yahoo.com.

Theatrical Review: Lovers, Winners, Losers

Theatrical Review: Lovers, Winners, Losers
Written by: Brian Friel
Directed by: Robert Taylor
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Star Gazer Productions presentation of the play entitled, “Lovers, Winners, Losers” written by Brian Friel on Sunday February 21st. This was the first live theatrical production presented at the theater which has become known for its introduction of Independent and Foreign Films not commonly shown in larger movie venues. It is hoped The Pocono Community Theater will present more live theatrical productions in the future.

The play “Lovers, Winners, Losers” by Brian Friel is actually two plays weaving a set of comedies which are equally entertaining. The first is about a couple (portrayed by Smeraldo and Kevin Holbert) who fall in love on a hill in Ireland. Their frolicking romance begins to turn sour as she becomes pregnant and he focuses his attentions to his studies. Like a popular song has said, They “Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.” But, unlike the song, the frivolity that attracted the couple towards one another returns from time to time and it is seen during the final moments of the piece.

This brought a smile to each member of the audience’s face, but (at the risk of sounding a bit cynical) since we’ve seen the couple go through sullen and joyful times together, one wonders how long this joyous mood will continue. But then, one soon realizes all of life is filled with sullen and joyous moments otherwise life would have little meaning. It is joy that allows us to dance to the celebratory tune of living while our sober times helps us to connect with our deeper richer feelings whose absence would make life a bit hollow.

The second play was about a man (portrayed by Robert Taylor) whose wife (portrayed by Rebecca Koval) is caring for her “invalid” mother (portrayed by Pamela Kelley). The play centers around the man’s frustration which accompanies not seeing his wife. Although they have a home of their own, she is living with he mother in order to care for her every need. Even when he comes to visit and they are about to engage in some marital intimacy, the mother rings an interrupting bell (tonal interuptus?) demanding her daughter stops what they’re doing in order to attend her.

The play comes to a climax (no pun intended) when the man decides to enter the inner sanctum of the mothers room while intoxicated. Unfortunately, if the desired results would have been the mother kicking both him and his wife out so they can go home, this did not happen. Instead, not only is the mother and her friend (portrayed by Jennifer Smeraldo) angry at him, so is his wife. It seems this guy can’t win from losing. But, eventually a peaceful coexistence develops and everyone winds up pretty much where they started at the beginning of the play.

The only unfortunate thing to say about these plays is they were only shown for one night. They are amusing pieces with enough pathos to enhance them. It’s like making a simple soup from a recipe handed down through generations and adding just a pinch of something to tweak it a bit. All in all, these were very enjoyable pieces to watch and the acting in them was very good. You’ll find more Photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Pocono Community Theater 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

This production of “Lovers, Winners, Losers” written by Brian Friel was presented at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA by Star Gazer Productions on Sunday February 21st. Although it is now at an end, it was a delight to watch and it was well worth seeing. The next events scheduled to be held at The Pocono Community Theater (in addition to the films they regularly show) will be The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering on Friday March 5th beginning around 4pm, a class entitled, “Coffee 101: basics of the Brew” and an Artists Reception on Saturday March 6th, and The Black Maria Film Festival on Saturday March 20th. Please Contact The Pocono Community Theater at 570-421-3456 for more information.

The Websites mentioned in this review are The Pocono Community Theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org. Robert Taylor of The Robert Taylor Foundation at www.robbtaylor.com/foundation, The Forwardian Arts Society at www.theforwardianartssociety.com, and The Black Maria Film Festival www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

McLaughlin at Main

The Main Street Jukebox in Stroudsburg, PA presented musician Daniel McLaughlin on Saturday February 20th. A sizable crowd gathered to hear this young performer in a solo performance before his departure to live in far away lands. Many of the attendees were family and friends yet many more came as those who enjoyed his past performances consisting of both solo and ensemble collaborations.

The evening was filled with an eclectic mix of original and cover tunes which were equally pleasing to the ear. As with many songwriters, many of the original works came from his experiences in the realms of relationships. Some were touched with melancholy while others were complimented with humor. All were recognizable to those who only recently experienced such situations to those who have done so repeatedly throughout the years. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Main Street Jukebox 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The Next events at The Main Street Jukebox in Stroudsburg, PA will be an evening filled with the music of Strand of Oaks and White Pines beginning at 6pm on Thursday March 4th and an Opening Reception on Saturday March 6th featuring The Art of Ainslie Hielich beginning at 6pm with musical guest Dark Matter Void beginning at 7pm. The Exhibition continues until March 28th. Please Contact The Main Street Jukebox at 570-424-2246 for more information.

The Main Street Jukebox at www.myspace.com/mainstjukebox, Strand of Oaks at www.myspace.com/strandofoaks, Ainslie Hielich at www.myspace.com/vintagekarmatattoos, and Dark Matter Void at www.myspace.com/darkmattervoid.

An Artistic Inference Interrupted

The East Stroudsburg University’s Art Department held an Artists’ Reception on Saturday February 20th featuring the works created by Line Bruntse and Matt Ferranto in a show entitled, “Inference Interrupted.” The exhibition is being held in The Madelon Powers Gallery located in the campus Fine and Performing Arts Center. The reception was preceded by a workshop conducted by Line Bruntse. The show consisted of sculptured works along with some two dimensional pieces created by both artists.

However, the most dominant of the works was the large piece created by Line Bruntse which consisted of a series of strips coming from the wall beginning in an orderly path but becoming entangled as their journeys continue until they find themselves enmeshed in each others destiny. The work invited its viewers to ponder how often the goals and endeavors of our lives often begin simply but soon become entangled with the trappings of the additional ingredients we feel are needed to secure its success and thereby denouncing our original inspirations as inadequate.

In creating these unnecessary fear of failure complications, we diminish our accomplishments (if they’re even realized) and ourselves for the lack of trust in our visions undermines our trust in everything we do. We see ourselves as unworthy failures because we merely allowed our reasoning to get in the way of our dreams. Thus, from the order we find in our simplistic dreams filled with hope do we encounter our chaotic nightmares filled with disappointing despair.

The work presented by Matt Ferranto consisted of much smaller pieces. The majority of these were found on the upper Mezzanine level of the gallery whose composition of wood, cardboard, paper, pins, polymer clay, and paint made these intricate pieces a point of interests to not only the adults who attended the opening but for the children who were there as well. His portion of the exhibition included a video presentation in which his creations were given movement. Many comically wobbled along often falling over themselves which invited the viewer to ponder how often we dress ourselves in our intricacies only to find ourselves falling over our own egos as we seek to impress those around us.

Inference is often defined as the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former. This truth can be interrupted by the realities that encounter or by the fears we manufacture. What the artists in this show seem to have in common is the perspective that how we see ourselves often depend upon our original perceptions and what we allow to modify them.

However, each artist demonstrates the extremes of each approach. Ms. Bruntse’s work implies not staying true to the simplicity of our original visions by allowing our fears to complicate them can often lead us to a demoralized existence while Mr. Ferranto’s work implies only going with our self centered perception of ourselves and thus ignoring the reality of our humanity can lead us to a fall. Perhaps there is a common ground in which we can travel through life in a more balanced manner and thus avoid some of the falls and disappointments we inflict ourselves with. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The East Stroudsburg University’s Art Department Exhibition entitled, “Inference Interrupted” and featuring the works created by Line Bruntse and Matt Ferranto continues until March 5th. The next exhibition at the gallery will be The East Stroudsburg University’s Art Association Juried Student Art Show from March 18th to April 22nd with a Reception for the Artists on Wednesday March 24th beginning at 5:30pm. Please Contact The East Stroudsburg University’s Art Department at 570-422-3483 for more information.

The websites of those mentioned in the article are The East Stroudsburg University’s Art Department at www.esu.edu, Line Bruntse at www.LineBruntse.com, and Matt Ferranto at www.spareroom.org.

Theatrical Review: Love In a Time of War

Theatrical Review: Love In a Time of War
Written by: Catherine Ladnier and Paul Janensch
Directed by: Brydie Jacques
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented The Worthington Players production of “Love In a Time of War” by Catherine Ladnier and Paul Janensch. The play is based upon letters Eva Lee Brown of Easley, SC received from servicemen and others during World War II. These letters were discovered by her daughter (the play’s co-author Catherine Ladnier) 50 years after they were written and they provide most of the text of the production. The play serves as a tribute to those who participated in that war which defined the era and the generation who lived it.

These letters shared the stories of those who wrote them. Some were from servicemen who shared the excitement of being a part of history while others expressed their regrets of leaving their loved ones behind mingled with the realistic fears they may never see them again. Throughout the production, this reviewer began to notice how the authors of these letters seemed like ghost from another realm. It made me wonder if our memories are but ghostly apparitions of another time which does not exist in this world except in our thoughts. This observation may be a complete digression from the theme and focus of the play, but the thought inspired by its presentation enhanced this reviewer’s enjoyment of it.

The play’s focal point is Eva Lee Brown (as portrayed by Amy Cramer who also serves as The Shawnee Playhouse’s Publicist) who describes how these letters came into being and answers the questions many of the missives left unanswered throughout the piece. The remainder of the cast consists of those who penned these letters. They include Marshall Haskell in the roles of Bill, Clifton, and an unnamed soldier, Travis Southard in the roles of Carl, Art, Harry, and an unnamed soldier, Kevin Hillman (who also served the production as its Stage Manager) in the role of an unnamed soldier, Lydia Samson in the roles of Helen, Mae, Mrs. Leach, Annabel, and an unnamed girlfriend of a soldier, and Lillian Gonzales in the roles of Bea and an unnamed girlfriend of a soldier. The cast also included Midge McClosky (who also serves as the Executive Director of The Shawnee Playhouse) who (in addition to portraying an unnamed girlfriend of a soldier) performed songs from the era which allowed the audience to retrieve some memories of their own.

The Worthington Players production of “Love In a Time of War” by Catherine Ladnier and Paul Janensch and directed by Brydie Jacques with Lighting Technician Emily Cioc and Sound Technician Kyle Mahaney. The producers are Ginny and Charlie Kirkwood. Group Sales of their productions are handled by Mary Horn (who also served as a member of the Box Office Staff) as assisted by Becky Haskell.

This production of “Love In a Time of War” by Catherine Ladnier and Paul Janensch continues its run at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA until February 21st. It was extended from its earlier scheduled run apparently due to the recent inclement weather conditions common throughout the area. Although this extended run is almost at an end, I would encourage many who would like to honor the veterans in their lives to see this play while it‘s still available. It is well performed and staged which makes it well worth seeing. The next Shawnee Playhouse presentations will be The Shawnee Playhouse Annual Staged Readings February 26th - 28th featuring the finalist of their 2011 Original Playwrights Contest. The audience will have the opportunity to choose the play they enjoyed the most and that play will become a full production presented in January 2011.

Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $3.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse Productions (excluding Children Theatrical Productions and those presented by non Shawnee Production Companies). Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse at 570-421-5093 or Explore their website at www.theshawneeplayhouse.com for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Photograph provided by The Shawnee Playhouse and depicts Midge McClosky in “Love In a Time of War.”

A Story Told and Heard

The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA presented a lecture on Saturday February 6th entitled, “Hearing the Story: Becoming an Active Story Listener and Teller” given by East Stroudsburg University of PA (ESU) Assistant Professor of English Dr. Sandra Eckard exploring themes relating to story listening and telling featuring stories from her recent book entitled, "The Ties That Bind: Storytelling as a Teaching Technique in Composition Classrooms and Writing Centers." The lecture was given as part of the Pocono Community Theater’s Educational Outreach Program.

The small gathering of former students and those with great interest in the topic gathered to learn not only how to understand the stories of others more fully but were given an opportunity to examine their own mythologies as well. This led to an afternoon of discover and introspection welcomed by those who attended. You find more photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Pocono Community Theater 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The Pocono Community Theater offers film lovers an opportunity to see numerous independent and foreign films not commonly shown in larger commercial venues. In addition to this, they also have special events for the community to enjoy. These include “A Tribute to Valentine’s Day” on Thursday February 11th beginning at 9pm featuring classic silent films relating to love set to live music as part of their Silent Films to Loud Music Series, their “Mingle and a Movie Singles Mixer” to be held Friday February 12th at 8pm, and a class entitled, “Brewing Coffee: The Many Methods” held on Saturday February 13th. Please contact The Pocono Community Theater at 570-421-3456 for more information on all they have to offer.

Websites and emails of those mentioned in this article are The Pocono Community theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org, East Stroudsburg University (ESU) at www.esu.edu, and Dr. Sandra Eckard at seckard@po-box.esu.edu.

An Egression of Red Exploring Dreamlands

The Dreamland Creations Tattoo Studios in Stroudsburg, PA held an Opening Reception on Sunday February 7th entitled, “The Red Show” featuring works inspired by the color or word red by over twenty artists. The event included music by Sarah Shown on Keyboard and Taylor Galassi on Cello and Accordion of This Way to the Egress. Their repertoire included a song written by Abby Braman who joined them on Banjo. The evening was filled with some tasty morsels of food and wine, intriguing conversations among the many who attended, hypnotic music, and a flow of images encompassing not only the walls of the studios but the depth of the souls of all who experienced the body of works.

In the far eastern traditions, there are many healing arts. Some deal with the seven energy centers believed to exist within the body known as “Chakras.” The first of these are located at the base of the spine and is known as Muladhara or root Chakra. It’s associated with the color “Red” whose energies is related to instinct, security, survival, and to basic human potentiality.

It is this human potentiality that is felt throughout the show as many showing their work are young artists exploring the boundaries of their skills. These artists included Will Mohlenhoff, Shane Izykowski, M. J. Smith, Tom LeFevere, Joe Mooney, Victoria Penna, Chris Francz, John Kolbek, Myke Maldonado, Rendi, Nara Strete, Earl Kess, Abby Braman, Laura Below, Eryck, Sander Martijn, Sherley Ebcribino, and Kailei Picciotti. The pieces these and other artists presented run the gamut from the sublime to they hypnotic leading each viewer back to the root of their imagination’s potential. The Exhibition Continues until February 27th. You find more photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Dreamland Creations 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The Dreamland Creations Tattoo Studios offers its customers an opportunity to adorn their forms with body art while offering the community a chance to experience the creative voice of those artists not heard in more traditional gallery environments. Their next exhibition will begin with an Opening Reception on Sunday March 7th beginning at 4pm entitled, “The Landscape Show.” Please Contact The Dreamland Creations Tattoo Studios at 570-421-6313 regarding their exhibitions and all they have to offer.

The Websites of those mentioned in this article are The Dreamland Creations Tattoo Studios at www.dreamlandcreations.com, This Way to the Egress at www.myspace.com/egressthisway, Shane Izykowski at www.myspace.com/shaneizykowski, Joe Mooney at www.myspace.com/artistjoemooney, Chris Francz at www.chrisfrancz.com, Will Mohlenhoff at www.myspace.com/wilbium, John Kolbek at www.johnkolbek.com, Myke Maldonado at www.myspace.com/tatmyke, Earl Kess at www.photobucket.com/ekdesign, Nara Strete at www.myspace.com/hondurastoxicdogstar, Abby Braman at www.myspace.com/rivalstag, Sander Martijn www.sander-martijn.com, and Sherley Ebcribino at www.myspace.com/Sherley_tattoo_girl.

Francz and Strete at Main with Music

The Main St. Jukebox in Stroudsburg, PA held an Opening Reception featuring The Art Of Chris Francz on Saturday February 6th featuring a musical performance by Eric Becker and Abby Braman along with Keith Leslie. During their performances, artist Nara Strete recorded their images on canvas. The many who attended looked on entranced by the mastery of her colorful talent while being captivated by the music and art surrounding them.

The work presented by Chris Francz consisted of a wide variety of styles he has become well known for. But, I was drawn (no pun intended, well maybe it is) to the intricate line drawings presented throughout the store. The lines in these pieces are so numerous, they seem to invite the viewer in to explore the destinations to each one. One wonders what they will find at the conclusion of their journeys.

Will it be the beginning of another line? Will it be the heart of the overall image? Will it be something within oneself? These questions are aspects representing the power art has to move the experience into deeper realms of thought. This is what Chris Francz does for his audience and those who are familiar with his work and they adventures they inspire are seldom disappointed. The Exhibition will continue until March 4th. You find more photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Main Street Jukebox 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The Main St. Jukebox offers a variety of CD’s, Tapes, and Records containing numerous musical tastes as well as showcasing artists not commonly shown in traditional gallery settings. Their next events will be an evening of music on Thursday March 4th beginning at 6pm featuring Strand of Oaks and White Pines along with an Opening Reception featuring The Art of Ainslie Heilich of Vintage Karma Tattoos on Saturday March 6th beginning at 6pm with musical guest Dark Matter Void starting at 7pm. Please Contact The Main St. Jukebox at 570-424-2246 for more information about these events and all they have to offer.

Websites of those mentioned in this article are The Main Street Jukebox at www.myspace.com/mainstjukebox, Chris Francz at www.chrisfrancz.com, Nara Strete at www.myspace.com/hondurastoxicdogstar, Eric Becker at www.myspace.com/ericjbecker, Abby Braman at www.myspace.com/rivalstag, Keith Leslie at www.myspace.com/thebusinessfairy, Strand of Oaks at www.myspace.com/strandofoaks, Ainslie Heilich at www.myspace.com/vintagekarmatattoos, and Dark Matter Void at www.myspace.com/darkmattervoid.

Sankofa at The Bookhouse

The Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg PA present Maxwell Kofi Donkor and his Sankofa African Drum and Dance Ensemble on Friday February 5th as part of the library’s Bookhouse Series and in celebration of African American History Month. The many who attended the event were treated to an evening filled with joyous and high energy celebration of the African culture regardless of their cultural or ethnic background. This was especially true of the children who were present as their dancing and drumming added to the excitement inspired by the ensemble. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society EMPL Bookhouse 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg PA has many services and events to enhance community growth and involvement. Their next event will be The 21st National African American Dead-Inn on Sunday February 21st at 2pm which is sponsored by The Black Caucus of The National Council of Teacher of English and the NCTE. The event will feature Book Displays and Special Guest Presenter Liz Pemberton who will read from her book entitled, “An Autumn Sunrise” and discuss her fiber artwork which will be on display. Please Contact The Eastern Monroe Public Library at 570-421-0800 for more information regarding this event and all they have to offer the community.

Websites mention in this article are The Eastern Monroe Public Library at www.monroepl.org, Maxwell Kofi Donkor and his Sankofa African Drum and Dance Ensemble at www.bak2roots.com and Liz Pemberton at www.wix.com/lizpemberton/textiles.

Film Review: An Education

Film Review: An Education
Directed by: Lone Scherfig
Performances by: Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard.
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

“Forbidden Fruit creates many Jams” Fortune Cookie

The film, “An Education” is based upon an article written by the British journalist Lynn Barber for the British Magazine called, “Granta.” Although the article later became an autobiographical novel entitled, “An Education (a memoir)”, the film is not based upon it. The film gained critical acclaim when shown at The 2009 Sundance Film Festival and The Toronto International Film Festival as well as being nominated for Three Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award (AMPAS) Award in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Although the film is very good and very well made, this reviewer doesn’t see why it’s receiving so much acclaim.

The film takes place in England during the early 1960’s and is about a romantic relationship which develops between a 30 something year old man named, “David Goldman” as portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard and a sixteen year old girl named, “Jenny Miller” as portrayed by Carey Mulligan. Watching the film through modern eyes, it’s difficult to understand the only objections the young woman’s parents or teachers have in regards to the relationship is that the man is Jewish. In fact, it’s later in the film when Jenny confronts her father asking him why he never raised any objections to her desire to abandon her educational pursuits in order to begin a life with David.

Throughout the film, we see the development of Jenny and David’s relationship which is often manipulative and creepy. This is most evident in the scene depicting David waiting outside Jenny’s school for her and the scene she discovers his wealth come from thievery and deceit. These include visiting elderly people and stealing their artwork in order for it to be in his apartment where it would be better appreciated and the practice of moving black families into homes near elderly women who are afraid of them so he can then buy their homes below market value. When Jenny objects to these practices, she’s reminded this is how they’re able to have so much fun together and her sixteen year old understanding of the world succumbs to his reasoning. We also see how these experiences lead to the educational development of Jenny as she begins as an ordinary school girl prone to an affectionate flirtation, to an exploration of independent thinking willing to give up what is expected of her in order to pursue something she thinks is much worthwhile, to finally realizing all her thoughts and perceptions aren’t always what they seem.

The film is also an educational experience for those who view it as well. The audience is shown how those with an adult perspective can be easily deceived and manipulated by those who have a welcoming and self-assured air of respectability and financial success. Jenny’s parents are impressed by all this and often winds up suggesting trips David plans for himself and Jenny well in advance. It caused this reviewer to wonder what would impress those watching this film enough to forgo their better judgment.

As mentioned earlier, “An Education” is a good film and I recommend as a meaningful look into the life and discoveries of the Jenny Miller character. Was this the best film this reviewer has ever seen? Not really. This reviewer may not have heaped all the accolades it’s receiving. But, a film does not need a great deal of praise to be good. In fact, a great deal of praise sometimes indicates a film isn’t all that good at all. Fortunately, that’s not the case with this film so one can be assured, while they’re not watching something of great magnitude, they are watching something very meaningful.

“An Education” is rated PG and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday February 5th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was very engaging. We invite you to join us Friday March 5th to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts. Please contact us through our website for more information.

Websites of those mentioned in this review are The Pocono Community Theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org and The Forwardian Arts Society at www.theforwardianartssociety.com.