ハードルを上げすぎない

英文を読む際には、やさしくたくさん的な方向性、身近な表現を学ぶ方向性も大事ではないかと思います。もしかしたら、アウトプットの表現力をつけるにはこちらの方向性の方がいいかもしれません。ちょうどジャパンタイムズの映画評で自分でも使いたい表現を見つけたのでご紹介します。

FILM / REVIEWS
‘Gambit (Monet Game)’
BY GIOVANNI FAZIO
NOV 7, 2013 ARTICLE HISTORY
Director: Michael Hoffman Language: English
“Gambit” is the sort of mildly engaging movie that’s tough to recommend on the big screen but perfectly acceptable for a night in. If you’re a fan of any of the stars — Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman — or a Coen Bros. completist (they wrote the script, Michael Hoffman directed), then this 1960s-styled caper-comedy about an art-forgery fraud should have some appeal. Not consistently funny, but there is one brilliant riff, worthy of Peter Sellers, where Firth loses his trousers in a swanky hotel.

個人的にピンと来たのが以下の表現です。

tough to recommend on the big screen but perfectly acceptable for a night in
（映画館で見るのを勧めるには厳しいが、家で夜を過ごすにはぴったり）

If you’re a fan of any of the stars …, XXX should have some appeal.
（…などのスターのいずれかのファンなら、XXXはきっと楽しめるだろう）

日本で英語学習をしていると基本語の表現の理解に結構つまずくことがあります。ここでもnight inなんて何てことない表現ですが「家で夜を過ごすこと」イメージできない方もいらっしゃるかもしれません。

（英辞郎）
have a night in with
（人）と一晩家にいる

サイト検索すると以下のようなピッタリのものがありました。居心地よく家で夜を過ごすためのアドバイスはどれも共感できるものですが、Light candles and place them around the bath, play some soothing music and pour some of your favorite bubble bath into the water.なんてのはアメリカ的な感じですね。

How to Have a Cosy Night in by Yourself

1Get rid of any distractions. Sign off any chat rooms, turn off your mobile, and if you like, unplug your house phone! Close the curtains, and turn your heating on high or if it is hot where you live turn on a fan so you don't get uncomfortable.


2Take a bath. Light candles and place them around the bath, play some soothing music and pour some of your favorite bubble bath into the water. Grab a book or magazine and relax. Make Sure You Don't Fall Asleep!

3After your bath, rub some nice smelling body lotion onto your body, put your pj's on and scrape your hair back into a bun. Now isn't the time to care about what others think!

4Go downstairs with a couple of blankets and a pillow and snuggle up on the sofa. Make yourself a hot drink and have a plate of cookies nearby in case you get peckish!

5 Watch your all-time favorite movie or snuggle up with a good book. Whatever you do, just make sure you enjoy yourself, its your night off!