Today, November 13th

DEEP (WATER) DISSAPOINTMENT: “Deep Water,” Adrian Lyne’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, and the rare film that I was expectantly waiting to see in theaters—was scheduled for release today. Being a fan of “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” another Highsmith’s adaptation, I’d made a note of it—but now see it’s been pushed back to August  13, 2021.

The psychological thriller about a husband (Ben Affleck) and wife (Ana de Armas) whose boredom leads them dangerous (and eventually deadly) mind games promised the nuanced expressions of suspicion and fear and climactic cinematic shocks I’ve always thought played out best in theaters. It’s why I wish I’d seen Hitchcock’s “Suspicion” (1941) or Fritz Lang’s “The Big Heat” (1953) on the big screen.

While a huge movie lover, I’ve felt the pull of the multiplex lessen with every year’s rise in ticket prices—$25 if you visit the concession stand—and have not gone since I treated my mother to an early evening viewing of last year’s “Downton Abbey.” (Which I’m not ashamed to admit made mutually relishing Maggie Smith’s sardonic barbs from our leather reclining seats worth every penny!)

It will be interesting to see the pandemic’s effect on movie-going if/when a vaccine makes it safe again. I imagine many who once resigned themselves to sofa-streaming will by then find that preferable to harried crowds and sticky floors. I for one—having heard my brother recount his suburban Saturday evenings enjoying a family favorite under the stars via projector—know where I will be.