pauls-room

This is a masterful Bavarian TV production of "The Confessions of Felix Krull" by Thomas Mann. Bernhard Sinkel directs the action with complete attention to detail and a visual feast illustrating the elegance of the Belle Époque. The lush settings of the countryside, together with the extravagance of high society living in the towns are beautifully conveyed in this story of opportunism. John Moulder-Brown as Felix Krull is perfect for the role and gives a tour-de-force performance. His looks, his deportment and his smart clothes all add to the appearance of an increasingly confident young man who engages fully in society, taking all the advantages offered to him. With his boyish good looks and slim figure, he makes full use of these attributes to achieve several amorous adventures. But his goal is as a gentleman with in high society and he is unwilling to have long-term attachments, nevertheless enjoying them while they last. While he tricks his way along, it is more the case of pandering to those who see him in their own particular way than any true deviousness on his part. Ultimately he meets a family where his sensibilities to the mother and daughter, change his nature to a more understanding and compassionate level. Although I have only seen this production in German and yet do not understand the language, the quality of everything throughout overrides any barriers that this may cause. There is humour, passion and elegance throughout and you are left with the satisfied feeling of having had the opportunity of watching drama at its best.

This a kind of Roman beach holiday for boys, with philosophical overtones. In a kind of reality play acted without a script, a group of boys discover freedom on an Italian beach and analyse the conventions that they otherwise obey. Religion is ever present by a character who first advertises for actors in a play and then appears in many guises throughout the film. In their freedom the boys (early teens) frolic on the beach and carry out their 'roles' in a naturist fashion - i.e. without clothes. But the boys are relaxed with their nudity and not at all embarrassed. It is evident that these boys are not professional actors and this, combined the nudity should not be misread as gay movie. The countryside is beautiful and the beach cliffs, dramatic. It's an unusual film and the type that would be considered an art-house film. But if you end up confused and disgusted, then you're watching in the wrong way. This is a film that does have a message, but one that we frequently obscure.

I suppose events happened and people acted in a way during World War II that seem incredible now. And if we didn't occasionally have some evidence for them, we would hardly believe them possible. So looking for your son, who's a British pilot and has been shot down in Germany, seems not only foolhardy but something Hollywood might dream up. On the other hand it's also very courageous. There's the usual bad-mannered Germans and the correct Englishmen. The sets and the actors are fine, but I think what stretched my credulity a bit was the way Dyan Cannon still wore make-up when she was supposed to be in disguise. I doubt if the average prisoner-of-war wore lipstick, except in the shows they put on. The suspicion that it was made for the American market was always in my mind.