This sonnet is a bit contradictory in what it says, but in a way that sort of makes sense. The writer bemoans the fact that this partner is lying to him and treating him like a young fool; but then, if she treats him as young, he also denies he is old and therefore she is accepting blindness to this deceit, even as he accepts hers. It is an engaging and smart sonnet and one that rings true today more than some of the declaration ones perhaps do. In delivering this the film sets itself at the foot of one of the least pleasing buildings in NYC, the Met Life Building, one that seems to try to stand out even despite being one that should be shying away into the middle of a block where it is less apparent.
It is very possible I miss a context, but the location just seems to be a place with no relevance to the sonnet, which is a shame because there must be something that such an unpopular building could be worked into. Anyway, the film plays it as one may expect, placing an older man with a deceptive younger partner; it is a straight bat and in fairness it works well because it aids understanding of the sonnet with the context and also clears away any clutter to allow the delivery to be clear. The one issue I did have is that I thought the film could have sold the relationship more – explained the relationship and the lines about the woman accepting the man's age, probably most easily done by playing up his wealth. Instead the man is in a fairly regular coat and I found it distracting from the text that I wondered why she would accept her side of the bargain, where at least the wealth would have taken that off the table.
This aside it is a well delivered sonnet; the film makes things clear, and the delivery of the text by the actor is accessible and aids understanding, which is really what a layman like myself is looking for as a base when they come to these films.
It is very possible I miss a context, but the location just seems to be a place with no relevance to the sonnet, which is a shame because there must be something that such an unpopular building could be worked into. Anyway, the film plays it as one may expect, placing an older man with a deceptive younger partner; it is a straight bat and in fairness it works well because it aids understanding of the sonnet with the context and also clears away any clutter to allow the delivery to be clear. The one issue I did have is that I thought the film could have sold the relationship more – explained the relationship and the lines about the woman accepting the man's age, probably most easily done by playing up his wealth. Instead the man is in a fairly regular coat and I found it distracting from the text that I wondered why she would accept her side of the bargain, where at least the wealth would have taken that off the table.
This aside it is a well delivered sonnet; the film makes things clear, and the delivery of the text by the actor is accessible and aids understanding, which is really what a layman like myself is looking for as a base when they come to these films.