The Entertainer

I head up to the 9th floor in the elevator. The five other people riding with me are all elderly. As the elevator doors open, I am greeted by stylish lettering illuminated by lights.

Bunkamura LE CINEMA

The movie theater "Bunkamura Le Cinema Shibuya Miyashita" is located in a building on Miyamasuzaka in Shibuya. They were holding a memorial screening for Robert Redford, and today was the final showing of "The Sting."

The great Hollywood actor Robert Redford passed away on September 16th of this year. When I heard the news, I thought, "So it finally happened..." Since he passed at 89, I think it was a life well-lived.

It was actually in "The Sting" that I first learned of him. I remember being shocked, thinking, "Does a Western beauty like this, straight out of a painting, really exist in this world?" And the duo of Robert Redford and Paul Newman captivated me. What is this combination? Truly a golden duo. I can't put it into words, but it just felt right, and it was just so cool. Robert Redford, with his blonde hair and incredible coolness, and Paul Newman, with his silver hair and a "dashing" coolness that didn't lose out to Robert's. These two, who shine brightly on their own, increase their brilliance many times over when paired together. It is truly a multiplicative combination.

Knowing that this wasn't the only movie featuring the two of them, I immediately watched the other one: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." It's a Western about the flight of an outdated gang and one of the representative works of American New Cinema. Here, too, their golden duo status was fully displayed, and the coolness of Robert Redford playing the ultimate gunman was truly unparalleled. (The direction of the ending of this film is miraculous, and I sincerely hope to discuss it with someone someday.)

If someone were to ask me, "Who is the best duo for you?" I would undoubtedly answer, "Paul Newman and Robert Redford." That is how deeply etched this duo is in my heart.

To tell the truth, I had watched "The Sting" on DVD more than five times, so I hadn't planned on seeing it in a theater this time. However, I happened to be invited by a movie-loving friend—though he couldn't make it in the end—and thinking it was a good opportunity, I decided to see it on the big screen and made a last-minute reservation two days ago.

The first time I visited "Bunkamura Le Cinema Shibuya Miyashita," I found it to be a calm space, hard to believe it was inside a building in the bustling Shibuya station area, with a lovely atmosphere based on black. My eyes suddenly drifted to the concession stand. Since I'm a dreamer working a part-time job living in poverty, I don't usually buy drinks at concession stands. But I wanted to etch today's movie experience deeply into my heart. Once I thought that, I found myself heading to the counter naturally. And I ordered the chai tea that someone I liked said they liked. I paid with the PayPay balance I received when I went out for a meal with her. ...Sigh, if she had a boyfriend, I wish she had told me before I started liking her.

I enter the screen and sit in the seat at the far back left. Looking at the seats, which were about 60% full, most of the audience were middle-aged or older. I'm sure these long-time fans came to see Robert Redford. The trailers start to play. Ah, I want to hear that favorite opening song soon. And finally, the main feature begins. Along with the old gold Universal Pictures logo, the lovely piano melody slowly begins to play. The Entertainer. This is it, this is it. Ah, what a wonderful opening. The moment I heard that melody, my heart fluttered and thrilled in an instant, and I was immersed in the story—.

* * *

I'm glad I watched it in the theater after all. The level of immersion is completely different from watching it at home. I was able to enjoy the movie with 100% purity. I was able to feel the excitement and the thrills directly.

In the film, there is a gesture that the protagonist's allies use when they want to communicate their intentions. I love this gesture so much that at the end, I secretly made that gesture toward Robert Redford. Then, I stared intently at him, trying to burn his image into my eyes.

Bunkamura Le Cinema
Chai tea
Robert Redford

Because I want to remember today's viewing experience of "The Sting" vividly forever, I will write it on note and store it in the drawer of my heart.

What manga would you want to erase your memory of just to read it again?

"Slam Dunk"

What movie would you want to erase your memory of just to watch it again?

That is the movie 'The Sting' I watched today. Ah, I envy those who haven't seen this film yet. I truly hope many more people get fooled by it in the future. Thank you, Robert Redford. And I look forward to seeing you again from time to time.