Reviews
Roughly Speaking (1945)
Interesting view of tough life with upbeat themes
Rosalind Russell plays Louise Randall Pierson (someone I've never heard of, but this is based on her autobiography). Directed by Michael Curtiz, it showcases Russell and the often underrated Jack Carson as they face financial feast and famine and an ever-expanding family. Russell is tough, and unapologetic, and Carson is her equal. The film, coming from 1945, has a strange cliff hanging effect, as it ends with the beginning of World War II, and you wonder what will happen next. At the time it must have hit home for a lot of families with men (and women) fighting overseas. But I would strongly recommend it as a movie to watch before the films "Since You Went Away", with Claudette Colbert which chronicles life at home during the war, and "Best Years of Their Lives", which is probably the best coming-home-from-war film ever made. The three would make a great sequential view of life from the turn of the century to post WWII America. 8.5 out of 10.
American Beauty (1999)
This scalding examination of perfect suburban life should get Kevin Spacey a well-deserved Oscar.
Life, as Lester Burnham (played by Kevin Spacey) tells us in the opening scenes is not as perfect as it appears. "We're only a commercial for a happy family," he says. With an emaciated, brittle, acquisition-driven wife played by Annette Bening, and a seemingly uninterested and inscrutable Thora Birch as a typical detached "my parents are total ***holes" daughter, it is no wonder that Lester is numbly standing on the edge of the precipice. And what a precipice it is. Birch's friend, a Lolita of unlimited bravado thinks Lester is "sexy". Next door a pot selling eighteen-year-old follows every move around him with a video camera, while dodging urine tests and beatings by his Marine Corps father (brilliantly played by Chris Cooper). In fact the only normal family on the street are the gay couple, Jim and Jim who welcome the baffled Marine to the neighborhood with a basket of flowers and pasta.
Spacey is well known for the all-important 'nineties-style irony in all roles. Roles such as the robber who follows Meryl Streep to her therapy group in "Heartburn" wielding a gun while saying "sorry about your ring, lady", and as the SOB in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and the wise-too-late detective in "L.A. Confidential" established him as a kind of humorous/tough wise guy. In "The Ref" he played a kind of put upon husband done lite. But here Spacey is a weak tree thrashed by the demands of his frustrated wife and brown-nosing job. When the whack finally comes the core of his ego and longing emerge with startling effects. He seems to leap into his life free of responsibilities. But is it a leap or a fall? He clearly enjoys every minute of it, savoring his newfound freedom and the chaos it creates.
As the confluence of events lead to a stunning conclusion, you will find everything you thought you knew about these characters blown away. Those who approach the film with preconceived notions of familiar character types should check them at the door. Because in this house, as in most houses, you really have no idea about what takes place within.
This is a movie that must not be missed. Along with "The Best Years of Their Lives", "It's A Wonderful Life", and "The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit" it is a commentary on the American dream at one moment in the timeline but seen through one man's desperate gaze. See it and be amazed.
American Beauty (1999)
This scalding examination of perfect suburban life should get Kevin Spacey a well-deserved Oscar.
Life, as Lester Burnham (played by Kevin Spacey) tells us in the opening scenes is not as perfect as it appears. "We're only a commercial for a happy family," he says. With an emaciated, brittle, acquisition-driven wife played by Annette Bening, and a seemingly uninterested and inscrutable Thora Birch as a typical detached "my parents are total ***holes" daughter, it is no wonder that Lester is numbly standing on the edge of the precipice. And what a precipice it is. Birch's friend, a Lolita of unlimited bravado thinks Lester is "sexy". Next door a pot selling eighteen-year-old follows every move around him with a video camera, while dodging urine tests and beatings by his Marine Corps father (brilliantly played by Chris Cooper). In fact the only normal family on the street are the gay couple, Jim and Jim who welcome the baffled Marine to the neighborhood with a basket of flowers and pasta.
Spacey is well known for the all-important 'nineties-style irony in all roles. Roles such as the robber who follows Meryl Streep to her therapy group in "Heartburn" wielding a gun while saying "sorry about your ring, lady", and as the SOB in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and the wise-too-late detective in "L.A. Confidential" established him as a kind of humorous/tough wise guy. In "The Ref" he played a kind of put upon husband done lite. But here Spacey is a weak tree thrashed by the demands of his frustrated wife and brown-nosing job. When the whack finally comes the core of his ego and longing emerge with startling effects. He seems to leap into his life free of responsibilities. But is it a leap or a fall? He clearly enjoys every minute of it, savoring his newfound freedom and the chaos it creates.
As the confluence of events lead to a stunning conclusion, you will find everything you thought you knew about these characters blown away. Those who approach the film with preconceived notions of familiar character types should check them at the door. Because in this house, as in most houses, you really have no idea about what takes place within.
This is a movie that must not be missed. Along with "The Best Years of Their Lives", "It's A Wonderful Life", and "The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit" it is a commentary on the American dream at one moment in the timeline but seen through one man's desperate gaze. See it and be amazed.
Blast from the Past (1999)
Brilliant variation on "fish out of water" theme with Fraser doing usual idiot-hunk schtick.
Brendan Fraser stars along with Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek in this "what-if" high concept comedy about an innocent coming out of a bomb shelter after thirty five years of life with only his parents and "Honeymooners" and "I Love Lucy" reruns. One can almost hear the pitch to the studio in this one, but director Hugh Wilson delivers the satire and commentary on both the early sixties commie paranoia and degenerative fin de seicle society. The subtext of the comedy, i.e. that if you were raised with only decent parents and no outside influences (and your dad happens to be a slightly wacky genius) you might actually be a great person lends weight to what might otherwise be a bit of fluff. Walken and Spacek are brilliant as usual, Dave Foley, formerly of Kids in the Hall fame, is hilarious as the wise roomie of Alicia Silverstone. The side stories especially of the gradually rundown soda jerk, are wonderful. Worth the rental and then some. Even if you watch it only for the sherbet-colored world of 1962.
A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
Truly a forgotten treasure about three suburban women in marital crisis.
This film, now rarely seen contains some of the most sophisticated dialogue since Claire Boothe's "The Women" a decade earlier. The plot revolves around the town flirt voiced by uncredited Celeste Holm. Fabulous performances by Kirk Douglas, Paul Douglas, Ann Sothern, Jeanne Crain and Linda Darnell, who is absolutely luminous as the tough girl from the wrong side of town. There is also a great role played by Thelma Ritter. The realism of small town life when women still had a shred of leisure (and we see that leisure shrinking in this film) is stunning. The crossing of decaying class lines, the importance of clothes, the driving need for a middle class-"American Dream" post-war life is startling here from our vantage point, but barely alluded to in the movie itself. The story of the unseen Addie Ross whose very existance is constantly needling the three wives is one many women can relate too; the person who seemingly has everything and enchants everyone except those of her own sex. A great movie for women, but men will recognize the struggles of married life too. Plus, it is very funny in places.
Top Secret Affair (1957)
Fun for any fans of Douglas or Hayward, with unusual plot
Solid performances by both Hayward and Douglas and a nice turn by Jim Backus in this battle-of-the-wills comedy. Hayward is head of a Time/Life-style empire that attempts to smear the record of war hero general Douglas. As worthy opponents the sparks are subtle and adult, especially for the time. It avoids politics in an obvious way while showcasing why Kirk Douglas had legions of female fans, and why Susan Hayward was the thinking man's movie fave. Not a knee-slapper, but fairly realistic as a smart comedy. Worth a watch and better than Leonard Maltin thinks it is.