What a difference an audience makes.

I had the opportunity to see Woody Allen's latest, Vicky Christina Barcelona, twice - once on opening day in New York City and subsequently in Toronto . The film was outstanding, very funny, loaded with Woody even without his physical presence in the film. But to see it in two different cities was to see two different films. In NYC, the film was extremely funny. The audience was laughing throughout. We saw VCB at the Angelica Film Center in Greenwich . What a terrific place to see a film. Not a great cinematic experience - small theater, small screen, average sound. But, the audience more than made up for the theater's shortcomings. I have, in the past, criticized American film audiences.

Well, I completely take back any previous generalizations I may have made. This audience was one of the best I can ever recall seeing a comedy with. Laughter in all the right places, silence otherwise. By contrast, in Toronto , you could barely tell you were watching a comedy. A few well placed laughs here an there from a 35% filled theater. About as many laughs as you might expect during a drama. I tried my best to laugh out loud, but it's difficult when you're the only one laughing. Torontonians have little sense of humor.

I've mentioned many times how I dread going to the theater for all the noise, cell phone lights, talking, baby crying, poor projection (yes, the theater in Toronto was using an old bulb, so the entire film looked dark - so typical). Well, the experience at the Angelica has renewed my faith, at least temporarily, that on occasion, it's worth seeing a film in a theater, even a comedy (in this case, especially a comedy).

By the way, the soundtrack is wonderful. Pick it up at Amazon.com.

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