Shariq’s Département

Hanna Schmitz, as played by Kate Winslet in what will probably be the Oscar-winning performance by a leading female actress at the award ceremony on Friday, is a desolate, scarred soul.  She has a secret that will be uncovered during the course of the movie, but from the very first instant we see her, we notice the glaze in her eyes, the intense concentration she puts on small events, the weariness with life that is alleviated by the wonder of hearing others read fantastic tales of literature to her.

As the movie progresses, Hanna is put on trial for Nazi era crimes, and we feel a mix of horror and recoil from this simple-minded person who cannot comprehend the nature of her crimes (seducing an under-age boy, Michael in the first segment of the movie was just a start).

She ends up in prison partly because Michael (played very naturally by the talented David Kross) is apalled at what he learns and chooses not to disclose a vital piece of evidence that could save her.  He walks away.  But his life also falls apart.  He is haunted by his lack of compassion for this woman who was his first love (albeit under false pretenses).  He fails to connect to his wife or his daughter.

The adult Michael (played by the handsome Ralph Fiennes), revives by finding the fountain of compassion within his soul.  He reaches out to help and teach a Hanna who still disgusts him.  And he flowers with this act of kindess.

The ending of the movie (which I will not disclose) complicates things as Michael finds his embarrasment a deterrent for a more complete forgiveness, resulting in disastrous consequences.

But the compassion he shows for Hanna while she is in prison will stay with me for a long time.  For such acts are what brings out the divine within each of us and brings us happiness as we align with our soul.

Amidst the controversy over whether Indian slums are really quite as dire as the movie makes them out to be, “Slumdog Millionaire” shines because of the focused spotlight it puts on those forgotton beggars and indigents on the streets of Asia who are accepted as a part of everyday reality.

And what Danny Boyle is able to achieve in this movie, within the conceit of a “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” gameshow format, is quite remarkable.  The fact that there are still millions of children in this world who are denied schooling, forced to work and open to exploitation is graphically depicted in flashbacks as the slumdog protagonist Jamal (played amiably by Dev Patel) gets his day in the Sun.  The editiing is crisp, MTV-like, with quick jumps and panoramic vistas of slums extending in serpentine ways across Bombay, as a pulsating soundtracks underscores the harsh reality of that we would all like to avoid.

No matter how technologically advanced India is today with its software and global outsourcing industries, no matter how much growth is projected for its future, the world cannot allow such debasement of children and humanity, not only in India but in so many countries of the world in Asia and Africa. 

The movie heralds a clarion call to arms to the world to make the changes necessary.  No human being deserves such a life of misery.

And for this, in addition to being an entertaining movie with a satisfying ending, I would be happy if “Slumdog Millionaire” won the Oscar for best movie of the year.

Amidst the winter woes of restaurant disarray in NYC, a bright light shines on Bridgehampton transplant “Almond” in Gramercy, which has filled in the old “Borough” space.

The restaurant, although large, was so crowded on a Saturday night that we had to wait for 20 minutes even though we had a reservation.  This is a testament to to tasty and well-priced food available at the restaurant.

Management was extremely apologetic for the delay and sent a free seafood platter to our table immediately to try and make amends (picture 1).  The platter included a spicy scallop and fennel ceviche, marinated octopus and curried mussels - all very delicious.  We immediately returned to a good mood, encouraged by a very tasty and well-priced Minervois wine from the Languedoc region of France (picture 2).

Among the appetizers, my duck confit with lentils was amazing (picture 3).  The duck was crispy and tasty.  H.’s salad of arugula, beets and roquefort was well received (picture 4) as was L.’s salad of field greens and warm chevre (picture 5).  P. very much liked his appetizer of salt cod croquettes (picture 6).

For mains, I ate steak frites (very classic and nice) with au poivre sauce (picture 7).  P. ate cavatelli pasta (picture , while L. ate mussels (picture 9).

Desserts were simple, yet delicious: chocolate mousse (picture 10) and creme brulee (picture 10).

All in all a very satisfying meal with terrific atmosphere.  We’ll be going back soon - but make the reservation for 15-20 minutes before you really want to sit down to eat!