Grace/Dimitri Home Eric Stoltz Home
			I showed the 7 Dimitris (fast-forwarding through the non-G/D scenes) to a man who had never seen them before.  I wouldn't let anyone in our group go to bed until I recorded his reactions after every episode.  (I am embarrassed to say that now, but thanks C.G. and all.)  This took place from around 1 AM to 5 AM so there may be a patches in my notes that don't make great sense but I hope you get the gist of his thoughtful reactions.  The comments in parentheses are added by me.  Now, in his words... THE AWFUL TRUTH – In the 1st scene Mr. Dimitri is asking Grace about her journal while walking among the other students and looking at other students.  He singled her out as early as that.  That struck me as particularly noteworthy. ACTING OUT – There is no amorous connection  (at this point.)  Dimitri cares about Grace.  She really wants the part.  I don’t know if she’s going to get it.  In the 1st hallway scene Mr. Dimitri is concerned about the production – the quality of the play (it’s his job) so he’s wondering if the two girls will hate each other. DESTINY TURNS ON THE RADIO – Well, there’s genuine affection at this point in this final scene.  (He smiles at her.)  Here there’s emotion behind it for her.  (Someone else interjects that she cried in front of him.)  (In the first scene, the “Talking about Tad/I have heard of flirting” scene Dimitri is essentially saying) I’m not so old.  I understand what you’re feeling. (We’re skipping over CHAOS THEORY.) TOUGH LOVE – Well, he’s drunk. (In the Wine Scene.)  I thought his statement that he is a fraud is the reason he’s drunk.  Being a teacher at high school (me:  instead of a writer or some other original ambition?) – most feel like a fraud.  Why was Grace walking in the rain?  Mental transformation – how to be an actress -- how to deal with it, walk it off.  No amorous involvement, but (Dimitri has) definite admiration for her talent.  Grace has a crush on him.  She realizes the strength she has as an actress.  She believes she got it from (Dimitri,) or he pointed her in the right direction.  Eli’s no-show made her performance more powerful.  Grace is giving off vibes during the Wine Scene, transferring her affection from Eli (to Dimitri.) GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE – I thought in that end scene (the 2nd car scene,) he leaned toward her, like he is contemplating kissing her.  In the 1st scene (when Mr. Dimitri first brings up the Gay/Straight Alliance Club) he talks about sex, then (the camera) cuts to Grace, so it’s obvious the whole episode is going to be centered on the sexual tension between the two protagonists.  The imperceptible half-lean is the only action that actually indicates he might do anything.  The laundry list, the barging-in scene:  intentionally trying to figure out the dynamic between the two women, out of curiosity.  The change in his feelings is in the final car scene. EXPERIENCE IS THE TEACHER - I thought he was genuinely floored by the kiss.  This was an extremely real story line.  It happens to a lot of people.  Virtually everybody has a crush at some point on a teacher. I see no problem with the concept.  I don’t see anything morally wrong with it.  Before seeing (it) – America’s not ready for this.  (Someone asks, “The age difference or the teacher/student roles, which is worse?)  The age difference.  (I had) no moral problem (with this) even before seeing this. (On Love reference)  Dual meaning but not ambiguous.  It means both things, a declaration and a writing example.  “You’ll figure out your ending” is just a writing reference.  The intellectual admiration is stronger than love.  But it’s easy to believe that he had enough time to fall in love.