Join us for Movie Night. Each month we will present a different thought provoking movie that addresses topics of transformation. Our movie of the month, in honor of Valentine's will be the sweepingly romantic "Déjà Vu " (1997) followed by an open discussion of the film. We will also be serving refreshments.

Synopsis: Dana (Victoria Foyt), a young American woman traveling on business in Jerusalem, meets a mysterious older French woman at a café who shares a fascinating story of lost love revolving around the expensive antique ruby pin she's wearing. The woman exits the café abruptly, leaving the pin behind and Dana, who is on her way to meet her fiancé (Michael Brandon) in London, finds herself forced to reschedule her trip - and her life - as an unexpected but expected stranger (Stephen Dillane) crosses her path. Or has he already?

Editorial Reviews:

1.) So romantic and haunting is Déja Vu's premise, it cries out for a director with more magic than Henry Jaglom can muster. Just before a long-engaged woman (Victoria Foyt, Jaglom's collaborator and second wife) slips into a serviceable marriage with a nice, if rather dull, guy (Michael Brandon), a chance encounter with an older Frenchwoman--a ghost?--derails her. After confiding memories of a dead-ended World War II love affair, the mysterious lady disappears, leaving behind a ruby pin that signifies one should never settle for less than the love of one's life. Drawn into the woman's past, Foyt travels from Paris to the White Cliffs of Dover--the WWII song, promising happy endings, is reprised at every turn--where she discovers the (married) love of her life (Stephen Dillane). Should they ruthlessly follow the dictates of their hearts? Or reject serendipitous passion in favor of familiar, safe lives? The star-crossed couple's dilemma comes into dramatic focus during a house party, when the guests (especially the charismatic Vanessa Redgrave) share tales about defining emotional moments, seized or allowed to pass. Director Jaglom likes to let a movie "happen" during such get-togethers, with family or friends improvising on often intimate themes (e.g., Babyfever's shower, 1994; Eating's birthday celebration, 1990). Such cinéma vérité can pay off in the freshest kinds of insights about the human condition--or it can be like getting cornered at a cocktail party by a pack of garrulous solipsists. Look for some of both in Déja Vu. --Kathleen Murphy

2.) An Old-Fashioned Love Story for Cynical People. Deja Vu is a wonderful movie! I saw it in the theaters over a year ago, and I have been awaiting its release on video. It's a story about two cynical 90s people who meet and know that they are destined to be together. But not in the silly, Hollywood, Sleepless in Seattle kind of way. These characters are just as cynical as most of us are about romantic destiny. It's not supposed to REALLY happen. It's supposed to be something that we only see in the movies. BUT the strong pull of emotions and, ultimately, more cosmic forces, draws them together. This is an extremely well written and acted film that examines our insecurities about love and destiny without insulting our intelligence. -- By A Customer

Runtime: 117 min
Language: English