High Art Redux

Last month, “High Art” was added to the Criterion Collection. The 1998 indie was the debut feature from Lisa Cholodenko, who would go a dozen years later to make some lesbians very, very upset about the also excellent “The Kids Are All Right” (and, yes, I still stand by that assessment, now another 16 years after that – whew, time is crazy). Now, I haven’t rewatched “High Art” in a decade, possibly two. But I remember how viscerally I felt this movie, with its arty intensity and grungy tragedy. Also, Ally Sheedy was obviously a revelation after only knowing her from her 80s brat pack days. I wonder now, much older and possibly a little wiser, if I would feel the same way about “High Art.” Guess I have to pick up the Criterion edition to find out. Also, what happened to Radha Mitchell? I definitely had a little crush on her. I mean, remember “Love & Other Catastrophes?” Gosh, I wonder if that’s available anywhere? Anyone up for a 90s lezzy movie marathon? Deep cuts only.

My Weekend Crush

Radha Mitchell has a new TV show. It looks pretty bad, but that’s not really the point. The point is seeing Radha Mitchell on my TV screen makes me get butterfly like feelings of nascent 90s lesbianism when there was no such thing as “Queer as Folk” or “The L Word” or “Lip Service” or “Skins” or “Glee” or “Pretty Little Liars” or “Lost Girl.” There was just indie movies caught in darkened arthouse theaters that made us gleam with recognition. And so seeing Radha on my screen again reminds me of a sweet little Aussie import “Love & Other Catastrophes” which featured a young Radha and a young Frances O'Connor in love and other catastrophes. It also reminded me of “High Art,” which was mesmerizingly beautiful but like “Old Yeller” a lot better if you just stop before the end. So, while I have no plans to watch “Red Widow,” I do have plans to go on a YouTube bender and find a wee Radha and a wee Frances falling in love all over again. Happy weekend, all.