Now Playing, But Not for Long

As a film lover who rarely sees a mainstream movie, my blood ran cold when I read the latest online:

"Can't believe they are closing the West Hampton Theater. Richmond is now a city without an arthouse cinema. Apparently the sale was finalized in August. They are planning to turn it into shops and a restaurant. They have films booked through next month or so. Don't know when the last day is."

With the exception of going to the Bowtie for a Movies and Mimosas classic feature, I see all my films at the Wetshampton.

It's where I first saw "Gone With the Wind" when I came to Richmond. And where I saw "Fahrenheit 911" on opening day.

It's where I've seen every Woody Allen and Pedro Almodovar movie since 1993.

Where else could I reliably see foreign language films and documentaries and other non-Hollywood films?

A West End friend had told me back in June that he'd heard a rumor that it was being sold, but neither of us could believe that it might really happen.

Apparently now it has and I couldn't be sadder about it.

So I did what any arthouse-loving person would do and told another film-goer and we immediately headed to the Westhampton, as we have countless other weekend afternoons.

"The Guard" has an incredibly smart script, the dialog is witty as hell, the music is by Calexico and the Irish accents are thick as molasses in January (and forget understanding the Gaelic speakers; they had subtitles for them).

It wasn't hard for me to see why it had been such a crowd-pleaser at Sundance.

As the credits came up and John Beaver's cover of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" began, I couldn't help but savor the experience of a Westhampton movie experience.

When we'd sat through five trailers before the movie, I found myself wondering if I'd ever get to see the films being previewed.

The South African film "Life, Above All" about women's issues and AIDS doesn't seem a likely candidate for the multiplex.

Likewise, will "Anonymous" about the controversy of whether or not Shakespeare was a fraud play in RVA? I don't know.

Afterwards, I asked a couple of theater employees if the rumors were true. They claimed not to know and suggested I contact corporate headquarters.

In other words, yes.

I understand what demographic they're trying to attract with "The Avenues," but I can't comprehend how a few more shops and eateries will be worth sacrificing a landmark movie palace like the Westhampton.

Richmond has a vibrant film scene and surely a non-profit theater would have been a better use for that theater over more boutiques and panini joints.

All I can do is keep seeing movies at the Westhampton until they lock the doors and take away the projector.

We tried to ease the sense of impending loss at Pearl's afterwards but even my favorite cupcake, the Pearl Gone Cocoa (chocolate cake with white icing and a mound of coconut), couldn't make me feel better today.

Richmond, don't we know better than to let the irreplaceable go?