Surviving Desire

'The trouble with Americans is that they always want a tragedy with a happy ending.' Thus observes Hal Hartley´s wry, wistful, and thoroughly delightful television debut. Jude (Martin Donovan), 33, is a literature professor at a New York State college. He´s rambunctious, quick-witted, charming and a little depressed. He´s also an atheist about to undergo a crisis of faith. Sofie (Mary Ward) is his siren, a student with whom he falls desperately in love. She´s beautiful, conscientious… and a little lost. Against a pop backdrop of classrooms, cafés and carparks, they sport and spar, striving to help themselves and each other, struggling to survive pain – and desire.