Cleveland

Got that Switched-On Cleveland Feeling

Everyone knows I love to travel for work.  I love almost everything about it:  the change of pace, the change of scenery, meeting new people.  I love cities and I love having the chance to explore different ones.

Whenever I’m in a city for work, I usually spend most of my time downtown, because that’s generally where the office of the client is and where my hotel is.  This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on the city.  Some places have downtowns that are fun and vibrant. 

Some don’t.

Which brings me to Cleveland.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining.  I’m sure there are nice parts of Cleveland.  But downtown ain’t one of them.  It’s pretty much desolation city. 

Today I took an excursion out to Cleveland Heights to see two movies that weren’t playing at the creepy downtown cinema that’s the only one within walking distance of my hotel. 

I am confident that I am the Caucasionist person who has ever attempted to use public transportation in Central Cleveland.  Didn’t bother me of course, but I did notice it.  Between waiting for the train and the bus it took me an hour and a half to get to my destination, but it was worth it.  The movies were fun.

The areas I went through to get to the multiplex weren’t terribly encouraging, though.  It does look like Cleveland is having a hard time.

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The first movie I saw today was The Lincoln Lawyer.  I was apprehensive about this film for two reasons.  First, the only other adaptation of a Michael Connelly novel that I have seen – Clint Eastwood’s Blood Work – was awful.  It looked like a bad episode of “Mannix, ” and it needlessly changed the ending to accommodate the “To Famous To Just Be Playing the Nice Neighbor” Rule.  Second, I just didn’t see Matthew McConaughey as slick defense attorney Micky Haller.

But I have to say the movie made a believer out of me.  It reminded me of why Connelly is my favorite crime writer:  He has a talent for telling stories that feel like they matter.  And for whatever reason, McConaughey has decided to remember that he used to be considered an actual actor.  He’s quite fine in the role, and the complex story crackles with energy just as the book did.  Ryan Phillipe is also quite good as his rich boy client.  The movie is lean and unpretentious.  It also reminded me of the 1970s – but unlike Blood Work, it did so in a good way.

The second movie was the preposterous but irresistible Limitless, starring handsome naughty boy of the moment Bradley Cooper.  Cooper starts off the movie playing against type – a scruffy, unattractive loser.  Quite a stretch for someone as ridiculously attractive as Cooper.  But as the crazy plot unfolds he quickly gets a chance to have his appearance polished to a mirror-bright shine.  He does seem the perfect person to play a character who discovers a seemingly easy way to turn, overnight, into the perfect version of himself.  This is good casting, because I’m sure there are many moviegoers who look at Brad and consider him the “perfect” version of themselves.

What if a little clear pill could make you smart and accomplished overnight?  What would you do?

More importantly, what would you do when the bill eventually comes due, as it always does in stories like this.

I enjoyed the movie.  It was fun to see Robert De Niro also playing against type (a ruthless but well-mannered finance tycoon).

All in all, it was a good outing for my first Saturday on the road.

Movies I’ve Seen Matthew McConaughey or Brad Cooper in

The Lincoln Lawyer

Tropic Thunder

Sahara

Reign of Fire

Frailty

U-571

Amistad

Contact

A Time to Kill

Lone Star

Dazed and Confused

Limitless

The Hangover

He’s Just Not That Into You

Wet Hot American Summer