With it being a school night for both of us we didn't do anything heavy, just a trip to the pics. After much deliberation we decided on Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the film based on the classic spy novel by John le Carré, the former MI5 & MI6 agent turned novelist. I should point out at this time that David wasn't keen on it. Really, really wasn't. But I got my own way and that's what we went to see.
The film was...well it was a little disappointing, truth be told.
But like everything, there were some positives.
Gary Oldman was amazing, but then he usually is. His portrayal of the taciturn, stoic George Smiley was excellent, and as the character communicated primarily through non-verbal cues, it's testament to his not inconsiderable acting ability that he managed to communicate every thought and emotion Smiley felt so well. Also of note was Tom Hardy as Ricki Tarr and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smiley's lackey Peter Guillam.
The latter rather convincingly plays an in the closet gay man in the early 70's, who is posed with a difficult choice half way through the film. When their undercover operation is at risk of exposure, Smiley advises Guillam to essentially tie up his loose ends. It's at this point that it's confirmed that he is in fact gay when he breaks up with his partner, the implication being that he does this in case he is killed in the line of duty. The subsequent emotional breakdown, despite only being on screen for a few seconds, was heart tugging.
Enough of that though.
I won't say much more about the film in case you go and see it; make your own mind up. Despite some good performances it wasn't for either of us, but I wasn't that surprised considering I'm a huge Spooks fan. That's more my kind of spy drama. You know, trashy and compelling. David's opinion on the film can best be summed up by the twenty minute power nap he managed to grab half way through.
But the best bit of the night was definitely the time we got to spend together.
Lately we've had to spend so much time at home for various reasons that cabin fever started setting in big time. We're not a couple who are prone to arguing or bickering. Partly because we just take the piss out of each other and partly because when I start spoiling for a fight David tells me to get over myself and that leaves me speechless. But as I said, cabin fever has been setting in, and this led us to bitching at each other every now and then
Tonight was a breath of fresh air.
Getting out of the house was David's idea, and what an idea it was. We found ourselves going back to being childish and affectionate in public with more reckless abandon than normal. It was great! We got some scared looks from the straight people, and a very confused one from a middle aged woman in the picture hall who couldn't stop staring at us. It was only when I put my head on his shoulder that she seemed to get it. I just smiled at her.
Despite us being together for years now I'm still learning about relationships in general, and ours in particular. You can never stop making the effort. When you get complacent about spending that quality time together things just don't work out. I've seen it with lots of friends and am definitely trying to learn from their example. So we've decided that once a week we're going to do something out of the confines of the flat, anything, just as long as we're together.
For any couples who are looking to shine the sparkle on their relationship I'd recommend date night. It's fun, it helps you reconnect, and best of all, if you're a gay couple you can scare the straight people!
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