It was 1994, I was young, optimistic, working in the theatre (and therefore also waitressing to pay the rent). My then boyfriend and I planned to go to the cinema to see the highly acclaimed ‘Schindler’s List’. We booked the double roomy seat - yes, the local rural cinema had ‘smooch seats’! About an hour before the show, he said he couldn’t face it, he just wasn’t in the mood for such a sad, dark film - let’s go to the pub instead, he said. But I had mentally prepared myself to watch this film and so we did our own thing: He went to the pub, I bought my popcorn. 

That was my first time ever going to the cinema alone. What an emotional and poignant film to experience by myself. Why had I never done this before?

Roll on a year and my friend and I had booked to go to the matinee of ‘Muriel’s Wedding’.  She however was having a huge row with her boyfriend and cancelled at the last minute. I was unsure - a matinee, a comedy, what if someone I knew saw me and thought I was Nelly-no-mates?!?!  I took a breath, bought the popcorn and went for it. I cried. I laughed, I loved that film. 

Fast forward 30 years (what? nooo! surely not?) and I haven’t been to a film alone since. Until… last December and ‘High Society’ (yes, the classic movie with Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra) was being shown in the local theatre at ‘tea time’. There wasn’t much enthusiasm from my ‘people’ so you guessed it… I went alone. I was actually a little nervous (it had been a long time in fairness!). There was no need - the crowd were all ‘mature’ folk, enjoying themselves, singing along and eating a scary amount of crisps and chocolate! It was a lovely experience and I quite enjoyed being the youngest audience member there!

In the last two months, I have been to two more films by myself - one Indian, one Icelandic, both subtitled and quite beautiful. 

So, now you know my complete ‘movies by myself CV’! Five in all and counting… 

I will not lie, it’s a very different experience alone. I do feel more than a little out of my comfort zone. And yes, I honestly do miss the film analysis chats and banter afterwards. 

But… I also feel sort of proud of myself when I’m there. I feel the teeniest bit cool, elusive and brave. And it has taught me a valuable lesson:  I can feel anxious on the inside but appear confident on the outside and that’s a life skill… isn’t it?

Moodscopers, have you gone to the cinema alone too? And, if you haven’t , would you fancy the challenge? 

SWMx

A Moodscope member