Appaloosa

A Western starring Ed Harris (also director), Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, & Renee Zellweger

Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Mortensen) are long-time friends who make their living as lawmen (police for hire) in troubled, frontier towns like Appaloosa, New Mexico.  Their lives are complicated by murdering landowner (Irons) and young widow (Zellweger).

First of all- WOW, what a talented cast!  And Harris and Mortensen were TERRIFIC together in A History of Violence.  You could clearly see that these two actors LOVED working together in that film.  I also feel that they have similar style of acting (low-key).  Their looks also suit the Western genre, especially in Harris’ case.  I’m curious to see Irons as an American bad guy, too!

Excerpts from recent New York Times review:

“Mr. Harris can be an imposingly serious actor, his face hard and unyielding as quarried stone, but there is often a saving glint of mischief in his eye.  …He leavens the atmosphere of costumed rigidity and somber stoicism with sly, relaxed humor.”

“…Mr. Mortensen’s performance resides almost entirely in his eyes, which register tiny, unmistakeable nuances of surprise, suspicion and amusement.”

Check links below for more info:

http://nytimes.com/movies

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800308/

More than 400 years ago, an intelligent, independent-minded woman (Queen Elizabeth I of England) faced issues that we ladies still face: gaining respect in a male-dominated field (i.e. government), finding the right man to marry (who would also be acceptable to her people), and not-so-friendly relatives (Mary, Queen of Scots).  The British monarch (nearing middle-age in Part I this mini-series) is played by the truly regal Helen Mirren, who can be smart, tough, and vulnerable.  Her closest friend/long-time love is Robert Dudley, the dashing Earl of Leicester (Jeremy Irons).  In the Cate Blanchett film, Joseph Fiennes played the (young) Leicester.  Irons is probably one of the few actors capable of going head-to-head with Mirren.  They also look terrific as a romantic pair, and seem like intellectual equals.

Her closest advisors, Lord Francis Walsingham and Lord Burghley, are pressing her to (finally) marry.  They think they have the man- the Duke of Anjou, heir to the throne of France; their union would unite Protestant England with Catholic France.  Thus, they could fight off Spain, a very formidable Catholic nation at that time.  (Religion was a part of government in Western Europe in those days.)  Elizabeth is not opposed to marrying and bearing children (she knows her duty), but who will be the man for her?  Leicester is jealous; he says: “No one could be close as we too, Bess.”  She explains that she must marry royalty, so he’s not a valid choice. 

Leicester is her friend, confidant, and… more (though she is still a virgin).  A doctor assures her advisors this is true, and that she can bear children.  The queen’s body belongs to the people, not only to her.  As the Queen readies to meet her (arranged) match, all the men around her look nervous.  Will the Duke convert, or be a “quiet Catholic?”  Will his temperament suit Elizabeth?  Meanwhile, she wonders if the Duke is handsome.  Some things never change! 

There is a fun scene on a boat where the Duke reveals himself; he came in disguise.  There is an instant spark of attraction between the pair!  Elizabeth is happily surprised, and ready to make the best of it.  After a few weeks of wooing, her “contentment” is marred by Leicester’s arrival.  Is he a jealous man only thinking of himself?  Or is he worried about his country’s future? 

It soon becomes apparent that her people are against the marriage as well.  Doesn’t she deserve love, just like anyone else?  Out of the blue, the French minister blurts out something about Leicester and Lady Essex, a recently widowed woman of the court.  Watch Mirren’s reaction- it’s terrific!  She only exposes Elizabeth’s true emotion in a quick burst then is the composed Queen once more.            

Then scene, where she sits looking over the marriage contract surrounded by her council, is even stronger.  The men fearfully eye the pen in her hand.  Mirren reveals the Queen’s (natural) longings as a woman before breaking down in tears.  But it is merely a brief outburst; she will sacrifice for her country.  After bravely dealing with personal disappointments, Elizabeth hears of a papal decree which causes her to fear for her life! 

If you’d like to know more, check out Elizabeth I.  In Part II of the series, the male lead is played by the gorgeous Hugh Dancy (as impulsive, ambitious Earl of Essex).  Despite the (big) age difference, Mirren and Dancy create great chemistry together.   I know it’s available at the Virgin Megastore (where I bought it this past winter) and at Blockbuster.  The total time is 211 minutes with two special features, one re: the filming and another about the life of the real Elizabeth. 

Below are portraits of the real Dudley, Anjou, and Essex (in case you were curious)!

Before last week, I never knew about this terrific comedy film by famed director Billy Wilder.  I picked it up from The Strand bookstore in Union Square because I absolutely loved Jack Lemmon (and co-star Tony Curtis) in Some Like It Hot.  The Apartment won 5 Oscars in 1960, including the most-coveted one, Best Picture!  The stars of this (black and white) film are Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray.  Unlike Some Like It Hot (another Wilder comedy where the main characters dress in drag to escape the mob), The Apartment is a more serious, true-to-life type of comedy. 

There are light and dark moments relating to ambition and romantic relationships, among other themes.  Jack Lemmon plays C.C. (Bud) Baxter, a single, ordinary “nebbish” (as his neighbor says) working for a huge insurance company in NYC.  But Bud has an advantage over his co-workers- he’s renting out his apartment to four men (working above him in different divisions) who want a little “ring-a-ding-ding” outside their marriages.  These guys, including a hilarious young Ray Walston (known to modern audiences from his serious TV roles), say this will put Bud on the fast track to success.  Bud has no problem with them having fun on the side, until it hits him personally.

The audience can clearly see that Bud has an interest in one of the elevator operators in his office building, Fran Kubelik (a very young Shirley MacLaine).  He thinks she’s “a nice decent girl” and goes out of his way to compliment and chat with her whenever he can.  When he gets a big promotion, he asks her out on a date to the theater.  He got free theater tickets from the head of personnel, Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray).  But things are not as they seem with the sweet, friendly Ms. Kubelik. 

I’m not going to reveal more about the plot of The Apartment, because I want you all to discover the surprises on your own.  Jack Lemmon does a great job in this film- he can convey conflicting emotions with subtlety.  He can do physical comedy, and his eyes are very expressive.  Shirley MacLaine will remind you of Renee Zellweger; she can be vulnerable and tough.  Young single, working women will relate to the character of Fran (at certain points in the film).  Fran wants to be loved, but keeps falling for the wrong kind of men.  This is a must-see film for anyone looking for a smart, thoughtful comedy!