The #1 reason to walk out of Inception is…

Today held a couple of movie ‘firsts’ for me. I didn’t see either of them coming.

The first ‘first’: I went to a movie alone.

The second ‘first’: I left before it ended. In fact, about 15 minutes before it ended.

Let’s back up so you can get the full sense of the day.

Today, my wife and kids went to a baby shower and left me home alone. I haven’t had any real time alone in a long time (well, okay, it happened on Thursday, too, but that was primarily work hours so it doesn’t count; don’t get technical on me). I was given the directive to get a hair cut, but that was my only actual plan for the day. I figured I might come back and mow the lawn, but when I left at 1pm I realized it was really hot and humid, so decided to put that off for about 6 hours.

So, I got my hair cut. And then I had time to kill. So I walked around the strip mall that housed the barber shop, and stopped at the movie theater, intending to get a look at the posters and move on.

Now, at this point there are a few things you need to realize.

1. I have never, in my entire life, gone to see a movie by myself. For me, movies – especially in the theater – are a social experience. I really like having someone there with whom to share the experience and talk about the film when it’s over. I can’t talk to people about the film if they haven’t seen it (I hate participating in spoilers, and they can’t help with reflection), and I usually really want to talk about the film once I have seen it, so it makes for a frustrating experience in the end if no one goes with me. And yes, I would prefer that someone to be my wife. She frequently picks up different things than I do in the films, and we have fun talking about them. Plus, you know, I like spending time with her. We are married, after all.
2. I have never, in my entire life, walked out of a movie. There were a few times I considered it, and some times that in retrospect I should have, but I’ve never done it. Once I’m in, I’m committed.
3. There are a lot of movies out right now that I want to see. Inception is in the top spot.
4. I have two kids and no family in the immediate area. That means babysitting costs whenever I go to see a movie. That makes for an expensive movie. Therefore, we don’t go very often.
5. On Wednesday (or thereabouts), my wife saw that I was trying to decide what to do with my upcoming free time, and suggested I go see a movie. She said, “I really want to go see Inception, but I’d be okay if you went by yourself.” I referred her to Fact #1 above, and moved on.

So keep all that in mind going forward.

As I walked past the ticket booth I glanced at the showtimes. Inception was starting in 10 minutes. I had no plans for the next 4 hours and didn’t want to go home. I started thinking, “when are we really going to get a chance to go out to the theater in the next few weeks? Our schedule is pretty full, and on those nights we have open, we really can’t afford to pay a babysitter (heck, paying for the tickets can be a challenge these days). And it’s even matinee prices!” Plus, my wife had told me to go see a movie… she even specifically told me to go see Inception. “Maybe I can make this one exception.”  So I went in.

Lest you think I cavalierly made that decision, understand that I took 7 minutes standing there staring at the schedule and my watch thinking through it.

Anyway, I went in, grabbed a ticket and some nachos and strapped in for what I’ve heard is an excellent movie.

I can vouch for the first 2 hours and 10 minutes. Good stuff. Don’t go in tired… you gotta pay attention to get it.

The movie, though, is 2 hours and 28 minutes long. The math buffs among you might catch something here – I walked out with 18 minutes left in the film.

Yes, that’s right. I left just as the tension had mounted to a fever pitch and Leo’s character was about to say something that would turn the movie on its head, from what I understand. Unfortunately, at that moment the projector shut off and the emergency lights came on. Apparently someone was working on the power lines and something went wrong. The entire multiplex lost power and wouldn’t get it back for an estimated 3-4 hours.

The #1 reason to walk out of Inception? Power outage.

At least that was my reason.

So this is what happens when you break your own rules. You get punished. Not only did I not get to see the end of a movie I was really enjoying, when I came home and told my wife what happened, her reaction was “What?! You went to see Inception without me?!” Apparently she doesn’t remember Fact #5 above. Some of you saw that coming, I’m sure. She’s being nice about it now, but there’s no winning this one.

The decision that faces me now is this: do I use my free “we’re sorry” ticket to go sit through the same movie again, just to watch the last 18 minutes? If I do, I’ll be taking my wife, which then costs me for the other ticket, plus babysitting costs, all of which I was avoiding by going alone (the only benefit of doing so). Do I give up on Inception until it hits DVD, and go watch something else?

Honestly, I’m leaning toward the DVD, but it really bothers me. What would you do? Ever have to leave a movie before it was over?

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