Gin Fizz, Anyone?

Last night, Robin and I drove about an hour to see our friend, Robert's, musical recital down at WVU.  Three students, as part of their studies, had to compose a piece or two and then musicians performed them using various instruments; violins, violas, cellos, vibraphone, french horn, bassoon, oboe, piano and an assortment from the percussion grouping as well... I haven't seen a spread of instruments like that since band camp.  Not being partial because of our friendship, Robert's piece was the best.  It had a film noir feel to it, and a sort of 1959 housewife vibe; lively, then full of angst.  You could almost see the wife doing her morning chores to be a devoted wife and mother, getting her husband off to work and kids to school, but then hitting a dark spot mid-afternoon when she realized that her wifely duties had replaced her own dreams, but then reconciling (over a whiskey sours or ten) that her family was her dream. 

It reminded me of the 2002 movie, Far From Heaven, where Julianne Moore plays the devoted wife and mother, Cathy Whitaker to Dennis Quaid's Frank Whitaker, the ad executive husband.  Set in 1957 Hartford Connecticut, we see the families existence rooted strongly in family values and social etiquette, until it all goes awry.  After Frank get a case of the wandering eye and goes poking around the wiener buffet and wants to go up for seconds, he then has to deal with his full-on gayness and how that would affect his family, job and social standing.  Meanwhile, Cathy, trying to keep a brave face, turns to the comfort of the colored gardener and falls madly in love, entangled in their taboo tryst.  You can't make this shit up... coming out... interracial love... gay love.... Harvey Wallbangers at 11 a.m. at the office with a pack of cigarettes... I'm surprised that Jackie Collins wasn't all over this shit way before this movie came out.  Anyway, point is... the music captures the 1950's feel for the dramatic.  Below is a piece from the movie... it gets really moody around 2:00.