Earlier this weekend, I decided I wanted to see the final Harry Potter movie on Saturday afternoon. I e-mailed and texted a few people about it, but by late Saturday morning, I still hadn’t heard from anyone.
At 11:15 on Saturday, I checked the movie times at the nearby Moolah Theater just so I’d know the options in case someone got back to me. For some reason the 11:30 showtime jumped out at me, and I thought, “Why don’t I just go see it?
And so I did.
I got in the car and went to a movie alone for the first time ever. I have to say, it was a freeing experience. It was freeing not to have to coordinate 10 different schedules to pick the right movie time. It was freeing to not have to save seats and look out for people as they arrived and to make small talk before and after the movie. And it was freeing to setting down with popcorn and a soda in my own space during a very emotional finale.
It was quite wonderful, really.
It’s not something I’d do every time I want to see a movie. I do like the shared experience of experiencing something grand or thought provoking with other people. I’ll never forget sneaking in early and saving an entire row of seats for X-Men 2 or talking dissecting Primer for half an hour (at least) in the theater after watching it with friends.
But I think that from now on, if I want to see a movie at a specific time or place, rather than trying to please everyone, I’ll just go see it.
I had the back row of the theater to myself, which meant that there was only one downside to the who experience: I was able to see each and every cell phone light up when people texted during the movie. People, please stop doing this. It’s quite distracting, and I can assure you that your texts can wait until after Harry Potter is done with you.
Have you ever seen a movie by yourself in a theater? What did you think?
I went to 2 or 3 movies alone when I was unemployed and job searching. It is TOTALLY freeing, I agree! One time I was shopping for new interview clothes at the Galleria and then spied the movie theater and just impromptu saw a movie because I could. It felt like playing hookey, so fun!
Emma–That sounds awesome. And I think you sum up the ideal circumstances for seeing a movie alone–when it’s a spontaneous, impulsive decision. I don’t think I’d plan to see a movie alone, but in the moment, I’d do it again.
When I lived near a nice dollar theater & was looking for work I’d go enjoy a dollar movie by myself. I also like to go once in a while by myself just because I agree it’s nice to not have to coordinate with others. As for the texting, have you seen the funny PSA by the Alamo Drafthouse theater? https://cf.drafthouse.com/she_texted_we_kicked_her_out2.html
Stefanie–Indeed, that Alamo Drafthouse video is awesome (a must watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it). Thanks for sharing!
“I was able to see each and every cell phone light up when people texted during the movie. People, please stop doing this.”
As a former movie theater employee, YES, knock it off. A cell phone is like a flash light in a dark movie theater. You’re not that important.
Ok, carry on. 🙂
Well said, Tracy. Back in my day we didn’t have cell phones, so this wasn’t an issue!
Twilight at 10AM. Because I was embarrassed I actually got suckered into the phenomenon. I loved it. It was like it was just Edward and I. Hahaha!