A Friday of Firsts

On the corner of Olive and Wishon avenues, the iconic tower and lighted marquee of the Tower Theatre welcomes patrons to the Tower District, an older part of Fresno that is home to dozens of eclectic shops, cafes and eateries. Although I had visited the Tower District on occasion, I admit that in my seven years as a Fresnan I had never once set foot inside the Tower Theatre. Well, that was about to change…

On Friday, I attended a Fresno Filmworks presentation of the independent film “The Messenger.” Fresno Filmworks is a non-profit organization that brings alternative films to the Fresno area and provides a viewing experience that encourages dialogue, awareness and education. Every second Friday of the month it showcases international and American independent feature films at the Tower Theatre.

As I waited for my friends to arrive, I stood under the covered outdoor foyer and watched as a steady stream of people passed through the glass doors into the theater. Much like the surrounding area, the crowd was a picture of diversity. College students from a film class checked in with the professor while an older woman, smartly dressed in a bright red coat repeatedly checked her cell phone as she apparently waited for an acquaintance. Near the box office a woman in her mid-20s held a 2-for-1 ticket, also appearing to wait for an expected friend. On the sidewalk an older man with a friendly smile stopped passersby to hand out small yellow flyers for the upcoming Peace and Justice Festival. Those in line to purchase tickets were a mix of young and old, all eager to find a seat for the 5:30 show.

Inside the theater, it was as if I had entered a bygone era with its rich art deco interior and velvety seating. As our little trio settled into our plush red seats, all three Filmworks virgins, we really didn’t know what to expect of the film. I had read the synopsis and knew it would be a hard film to watch. When U.S. Army Officer Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) returns home from Iraq, he is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. As he and fellow officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) bear the horrible news to loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will struggles with the pain and grief he is witness to and deals with his own emotions of loss and regret from his tour of duty in Iraq. I thought that the raw emotion and relationships were portrayed in a very realistic way, and although the film ended on a hopeful note it was an intense and often painful two hours. Thankfully Harrelson’s comic relief was tastefully sprinkled throughout the film, allowing for any of those pesky tears to dry before actually having to dig out my Kleenex.

It’s funny how being in a certain place or taking in a particular event can make you feel more “cultured.” That’s sort of how I felt when the final credits rolled and we made our exit from the historic theater. And after this first trip, I am confident that I will be back to catch more Fresno Filmworks shows and to enjoy the classic beauty of the Tower Theatre.