We think we go to the movies just to be entertained. In fact, we go to discover deeper truths about life and ourselves. But after we walk away from a movie that amused or moved us, we rarely take the time to reflect on what caused those reactions. That film “spoke” to us. But what really took place in that nonverbal conversation in the dark? Why do two-dimensional, flickering images on a screen evoke such powerful emotions? Why do we laugh at Tootsie or reach for the Kleenex when we watch Bogart say goodbye to Bergman in Casablanca?

For 21 years, film critic Desson Thomson has regaled readers of the Washington Post with his insightful, witty reviews of movies ranging from raunchy comedy to esoteric drama. Over the course of two entertaining evenings, he’ll explore these questions and treat the audience to clips from a host of great movies, both funny and affecting.

In this evening program, we revisit some of Thomson’s most enjoyed comedies as he delves into the many reasons we express ourselves with laughter. Don’t think of this evening as a downer experience but rather as a fascinating journey into the mystery of our own hearts.

CODE: 1P0-069