So how did I go about treating myself today? Well, I went and saw The Artist at the movies and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is set in Hollywood in the late 1920s/early 1930s and centres on the careers of two actors - George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), an established actor struggling with the emergence of the talkies and Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), an up-and-coming movie star.
This movie is predominantly silent (aside from some well placed music and sounds) and I found it particularly intriguing viewing for the modern day. It left me contemplating the negative effect that words and noise can play in our society. How it seems that everywhere we turn these days, we are bombarded with intrusive clatter and banging, all in the name of must do, must have and should be.
Football games are a perfect case in point. Part of the attraction of going to the football for me is the social aspect. Life can be hectic and football has always been a great way to see a game and catch up with friends and family. My recall of games is often according to who I have attended them with and the hilarious and passionate debates and discussions we have had in the breaks.
Well, not much chance for that now. As soon as you enter the ground these days you are confronted with thunderous, insistent and ear-splitting noise. Advertising, commentating, money-making rubbish. Watching a good game of football can be exciting, exhausting and loud. What a shame that we can't just relax and ponder the atmosphere for a bit at half-time any more.
Fortunately there are many other ways to enjoy the company of others in peace and there will always be the memories of those great "silent" games of old!
