Tag: Movies

Movie reviews

Passion Fish (1992)

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John Sayles’ movies are just a treat for an intelligent viewer- thoughtful, multi-dimensional, and well-developed (you go through a journey with the characters).  The respected (yet not widely-known) writer/director doesn’t do any tricks with the camera, choosing instead to let the focus be on his characters.  In Passion Fish, Sayles (a masculine feminist, in my opinion) unfolds the story of two very complicated, stubborn women.  You need to be patient when you watch this type of picture, as things unfold in at a slower pace than in typical modern Hollywood movies.

Mary-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell) is a soap opera actress living in NYC when a freak accident results in her paralysis from the waist down.  She decides to move back to her old childhood home in the Louisiana bayou, drink heavily (wine is her favorite), watch TV, and torment several female caregivers who come to work for her.  They quickly leave the job, of course.   Mostly, Mary-Alice wallows in self-pity, feeling that her life is over.

Finally, a determined young African-American nurse from Chicago, Chantelle (Alfre Woodard), comes to work for the diva.  We learn eventually that she desperately needs this job, as well as a place to live.

Don’t worry, this film has a few men, too.  When Mary-Alice’s old car breaks down, Chantelle meets (and gets hit on) by a charming, fun-loving cowboy nicknamed Sugar (Vondie Curtis- Hall).  At the gas station, she meets another local, quiet and handy Rennie (David Strathairn).  It turns out that he and Mary-Alice knew each other since childhood.  Rennie offers to come work on the old Culhane house, so she can get around with the wheelchair.

Watch for a few other characters (and surprises they bring).  Angela Bassett has a few nice scenes as Mary-Alice’s best friend and former co-star.

Double Indemnity & Unfaithfully Yours

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Double Indemnity (1944)

It’s just like the first time I came here, isn’t it? We were talking about automobile insurance, only you were thinking about murder. And I was thinking about that anklet.

In this captivating film noir (directed by Billy Wilder) successful insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) is a goner from the moment he sees Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) standing above her stairs wearing only a towel while on a house call.  They are very attracted to each other and carry on a strong flirtation.  But the clever and sultry housewife is thinking of taking out an insurance policy on her husband (without his knowledge) and murdering him.  Though Walter knows this is wrong, he quickly agrees to help Phyllis so that she’ll be free to marry him. 

While Phyllis betrays her husband, Walter betrays his boss and close friend, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson in a rare good guy character role).  Stanwyck told Wilder that she was afraid to take on the role of an out-and-out killer, but was later very glad about her decision.  MacMurray, who thought he couldn’t handle the role, got the chance to show his acting chops.   He’s mostly known for lightweight, Disney roles.  As one IMDB commentator wrote: He is consumed by his passion and he will do anything because of what he perceives will be the reward for doing the crime. Walter Neff was perhaps Mr. MacMurray’s best creation. He is completely believable and vulnerable.

I highly recommend this film because it has an interesting premise, terrific dialogue, and the the two leads have great chemistry together.  The only thing I didn’t like about it- the platinum blonde wig worn by Stanwyck.   

Body Heat (1981) starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner is a reworking of Double Indemnity set in the tropical heat of Florida.  Hurt plays Ned Racine, a small-time, slacker lawyer who quickly falls head over heels in lust with mysterious Matty Walker (Turner), a beautiful young woman married to an older man (played by Richard Crenna).  Ned agrees to help Matty kill her husband, thinking that she reciprocates his love.  But Matty’s only goal is to be rich.

   

Unfaithfully Yours (1948)

As with Stanwyck, you really can’t go wrong with Rex Harrison!  He was smart, funny, charming, and had a big screen presence.  This screwball black comedy film had me laughing out loud (during many scenes).  But it also has some dark elements and great classical music, too.  Harrison plays a famous British orchestra conductor/nobleman, Sir Alfred de Carter.  Linda Darnell plays his much-younger wife, Daphne.  They seem to have a very lovey-dovey relationship at the opening of the film. 

While he was away, Alfred asked his brother-in-law August to “look after” his wife (in case she was bored/lonely).  But the dimwitted August misunderstood and had a private detective follow Daphne.  Alfred flies off the handle when he hears this: I give you my solemn word, August: if I don’t regain control of myself in a few minutes, concert or no concert, I’ll take this candelabrum and beat that walnut you use for a head into a nutburger, I believe they’re called!

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

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When the dir. of this film noir, Lewis Blackstone, complained to Lauren Bacall re: the “lack of interesting men in Hollywood,” she immediately recommended Kirk Douglas (her good friend from NYC theater days).  That is how Douglas got his 1st film role- starring opposite Barbara Stanwyck no less!  Stanwyck, known as a generous co-star, helped Douglas manuever through his 1st film.  He does a TERRIFIC job, as do his fellow 3 leads.

In 1928, strong-willed teen Martha Ivers is desperate to run away from her small factory town (Iverstown, PA)  and the domineering/wealthy aunt who’s in custody of her after her parents’ deaths.  A street-smart boy from the other side of the tracks (and close friend), Sam Masterson, is also planning to run away to join the circus.  Their plan is thwarted first by  local cops (under the thumb of the aunt) and then by Martha’s tutor, Mr. O’Neil (trying to ingratiate himself w/ the aunt).  Walter, O’Neil’s straight-arrow son, wants to win Martha’s friendship.  That stormy night, things occur that will change the course of  these characters’ lives forever.

Then we go forward to 1946, when a grown-up Sam (Van Heflin) drives into Iverstown to find “his people” (relatives).  While daydreaming, his car got dinged up, so he has to stop at a garage.   He meets a beautiful young woman Antonia “Toni” Marachek (Lizabeth Scott) sitting on the steps of his former house, now a boarding house.  She’s not sure if she should take the late bus to her parents’ house in the next town.  They commiserate re: the mistakes they’ve made in life, etc.

Sam, a drifter/gambler, is chagrined to discover that “scared little boy” Walter (Douglas) is now a DA w/ political ambition.  Walter is also married to Martha, who has expanded her aunt’s factory, created many jobs, and become a powerful woman in her OWN right.  Toni gets in trouble w/ the law, so Sam goes to Walter’s office seeking help.  Martha comes in while the men are talking; she is VERY happy/excited to see her old friend (and first crush) all grown-up.  She wants to speand some time w/ Sam.  Walter is wary of Sam, fearing that he knows the truth of what happened all those years ago.

This is a well-paced film that contains clever dialogue, intriguing characters, and plot twists.  The quick-witted/confidant Sam is a catalyst for change in the lives of the other characters, but he’s not always 100% sure of the right thing to do.  Martha and Walter’s relationship is complicated and (IMO) HIGHLY dysfunctional.  It’s fun to watch though!

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A Letter to Three Wives (1949)

Three VERY different women (who happen to be in same social circle in a small town near NYC) get a letter from another, Addie Ross, stating that she has run off w/ ONE of their hubbies.  Then we get closer glimpses into their respective relationships w/ their men. 

Deborah (Jeanne Crain) is the newbie in town, having married her guy (“nice and has money”) while they both served in the navy.  Leaving that old life and uniform (“the great equalizer”) behind, the former farm girl feels insecure in the upper-middle class, country clubby community.  Rita (Ann Sothern) is a confidant working mother (radio show writer) who’s married to proud schoolteacher George (Kirk Douglas).  Working -class Lora Mae (Linda Darnell) married up when she wed her older boss.   They bicker and insult each other constantly, though their pals are used to it.    

I esp. enjoyed seeing Douglas is a lighter role; this was BEFORE he become a headliner.  His character was VERY smart, principled, and fun to watch.  Darnell was also VERY good as a woman who protects herself by being TOO much of a realist and plain talker. 

 

Life in Flight (2008)

Will (Patrick Wilson) seems to have the perfect life: large brownstone, socially poised wife, cute young son, and a great job (architect).  But he’s NOT happy w/ they way his life has been going lately; he’s under pressure to sign a contract w/ a huge contruction firm that he’s been dealing w/ for 2 yrs.  His wife Catherine (Amy Smart) is eager for them to make more money and take an expensive vacation w/ her well-heeled pals.  

Then Will meets Kate (Lynn Collins), a free-spirited urban designer at a mutual friend’s party; they seem to have instant chemistry.  Will doesn’t mention that he’s married; he chooses NOT to wear a ring.  He looks over Kate’s designs and is impressed.  But Kate may get an offer from an LA design firm soon.    

I liked Collins character b/c she was good at portraying a sensitive young woman who’s at a crossroads in life, uncertain of what step to take next.  However, this film is a BIT slow and NOT as well-developed as I thought it would be.  Smart’s character is pretty one-dimensional.  The acting could’ve been stronger, though the minor players did fine IMO.  The themes are current.  I loved seeing NYC, of course!

Cairo Time (2009)

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This little gem of an indie film (written/directed by a 2nd gen Arab-Canadian woman, Ruba Nadda) reminded me of old Hollywood romances though it’s set in busy, modern-day Egypt.  If you like thoughtful, slow-paced, character-driven stories, you’ll enjoy it.  The cinematography and lighting alone will WOW you!       

Juliette Grant (Patricia Clarkson), an American magazine editor from NYC, travels to Cairo for the first time, expecting to spend some time w/ her hubby, who runs a UNHCR camp in Gaza.  At the airport, she’s greeted by the former head of her hubby’s protection detail, Tareq Khalifa (Alexander Siddig).  Now retired from his job, Tareq runs a tea shop/spends time w/ pals.  After a few days of jet lag and hanging around the hotel, Juliette decides to venture out and experience the city.  Tareq will be her guide on this journey. 

Juliette, w/ her serene and observant ways, seeks to adapt herself to the ways of Cairo.  (She’s not content to sit about complianing w/ the typical diplomat wives.)  With the gentlemanly Tareq, Juliette sees and begins to understand the real city, full of beauty, history, and contradictions.  They learn about each other, too.

Yes, that is Dr. Bashir from Star Trek: Deep Space 9.  (Sid impressed the producers SO much that had he been a bit older, he would’ve been cast as the captain!)  It is SO refreshing to see a Muslim-background character portrayed as a sweet, thoughtful, and all-around normal guy.  Check out Syriana if you haven’t seen it yet, b/c he has a meaty role there.      

Related Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0896529/

http://www.cairotime.ca/