A tale of two “Patriots”
Plus: Jim Harrison’s Legends of the Fall
This is my Weekly Roundup! — May 5, 2024
Welcome to Weekly Roundup!, where we explore captivating films, books, and stories that grabbed our attention this week.
Watches of the week
Patriots Broadway
If you read my latest post, you know I recently marked a major birthday. How did I celebrate? A quick weekend trip to NYC. During our stay, we ensured there was time for a Broadway show amidst the onslaught of food comas and retail therapy. The play, called Patriots, traces the ascent of Vladimir Putin from his days as a mid-level KGB officer, to deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, to the now infamous President-for-life-because-I-can’t-call-myself-a-Dictator.
Peter Morgan—the screenwriter and playwright behind the likes of Frost/Nixon, The Crown, and The Queen—masterfully turns a complex history into gripping drama. Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man, Call Me by Your Name) embodies oligarch Boris Berezovsky, a titan of the turbulent post-Soviet Russia, while Putin, played by English stage and screen actor Will Keen, feebly looms in the background.
Within the confines of the neon-trimmed stage of the Barrymore Theater, the show unfolds with Stuhlbarg’s Berezovsky exuding personality and chaotic energy while Keen’s Putin quietly evolves from timid to terrifying. It’s a narrative of election engineering and assassination attempts, shifting allegiances and bitter ironies, and how two unquestionably flawed individuals can both claim a motive of patriotism. We see that even the most powerful of destiny shapers can eventually become ensnared in the very webs they wove. Patriots isn’t just about politics; it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing with fire.
Patriots is now at the top of my despicably short list of Broadway shows. While I’m sure it would be even better with more knowledge of post-Soviet history, I was able to understand most references and characters from an hour of research beforehand. One of the countless upsides of New York—not needing to drive. Subways and taxis offer plenty of time to browse through the Wikipedia rabbit hole and soak in V’s pre-show knowledge share.
Good things don’t come for free though. We held off long enough, but our luck ran out this time, and we were finally forced to walk through Times Square after our show. And I get it. If that is your first impression of NYC, I can understand the dislike or borderline disdain. I have been fortunate to have an amazing travel partner who has sheltered me from that unsavory experience for many trips. I assure you, the other parts are much, much better.
That said, we already have plans for our next show (thank you Spirit for sub $100 flights to NYC). This time for Broadway’s new take on Anton Chekhov’s classic, Uncle Vanya, where none other than Steve Carell takes on the titular character.
Reads of the week
- Legends of the Fall by Jim Harrison
- Revenge
- The Man Who Gave Up His Name
- Legends of the Fall
Legends of the Fall by Jim Harrison
Jim Harrison. Born in Michigan and a Michigan State alumni, he was among the greatest and most under-appreciated American authors. His extensive collection of works across various forms—from poetry, novels and novellas, food and travel essays, and one children’s book—will surely live on long past his death in 2016.
His most famous work, Legends of the Fall (1979), is a collection of three novellas. First is Revenge, about a navy veteran found on the cusp of death in Mexico and the tale of betrayal and vengeance that follows. Next is The Man Who Gave Up His Name, about a man who renounces his past and embarks on a solitary journey of self-discovery, grappling with the ghosts of his past while seeking solace in the new simplicity of his life. Last is the titular Legends of the Fall. A saga of love and loss against the backdrop of the American frontier during World War 1.
These three novellas delve deep into themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of rugged America (or Mexico). Each offers different but equally poignant insights into the human psyche, portrayed with lyrical prose and vivid imagery.
Take, for example, the two quotes below from the different novellas. The first is a man irritated by the known challenges and unlikeness of changing. The second, in contrast, is a man who realizes things are constantly evolving; he is lost, but none of that matters because he’s content knowing this is how it’s always been and will continue to be.
“The most vexing thing in the life of a man who wishes to change is the improbability of change.”
“He looked around the clearing in recognition that he was lost but didn’t mind because he knew he had never been found.”
In 1994, the novella Legends of the Fall turned to the silver screen starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. When I watched this movie last year, it was, at the time, unbeknownst, my initial introduction to Jim Harrison. I watched it for the same reason I watch most movies—because V suggested so. With Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins, I needed no more of a push.
I don’t know if it was because I had previously watched the movie (I’m always torn in what order to experience a story first because it will inevitably influence the other), but despite Legends of the Fall being the most popular and celebrated of the three novellas, it was actually my least favorite. I found Revenge to be more gripping and suspenseful with better imagery, and The Man Who Gave Up His Name, my favorite of the three, a more hypnotizing story.
Harrison’s writing is a testament to the power and art of storytelling.
If you’re still reading this, here is a great bonus article about Jim Harrison after his death.
Reader Recommendations
Now, I want to hear from you! What movies, books, or articles captured your attention this week? Share your top picks in the comments below; your insights might just lead someone to their next favorite film or book.
Stay tuned until next week!
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