What do you do after a week full of 20 hour days, jet lagged, after way too much public speaking, with a east-coast/west-coast flight ahead of you? Some might suggest a stiff drink and a long (albeit uncomfortable in coach) nap. I chose to dip into my slow-moving Netflix queue and pulled out a winner: L’Auberge Espagnole
The setting: seven grad students from seven countries sharing a single apartment in Barcelona.
The main character: a young French kid named Xavier, gone to sharpen his Spanish to help him land a plum government job back in Paris.
Funniest moment: When Wendy’s boyfriend arrived for a surprise visit from England. You’ll have to see it to appreciate it. I literally laughed out loud, an odd experience on a airline at full capacity.
The film is less about micro-parallels to the EU than some reviewers have suggested, and more about living with your eyes wide open and learning from each other. Worth watching.
Barbara, just a heads up — it is Rated R and contains some content not suitable for kids.
Barbara, just a heads up — it is Rated R and contains some content not suitable for kids.