Shine (1996)

Nominee

When I think of great movies I often get blinded by the idea of an epic: long sweeping shots, loud emotional soundtracks, and the biggest actors giving stunning performances. However, as I completed watching Shine last night I was reminded that often a great movie can merely be a simple love poem to its own content.

Shine is based on the life of David Helfgott, a profound pianist who developed a mental disorder, who then proceeds with the help of those around him to rise to prominence again. Helfgott is played by Geoffrey Rush, who at this point has established himself as one of my favorite character actors. Rush is able, as he is in most of his work, to completely lose himself in the character. Some actors like to always put a certain edge of their own personality into their work, which is also good, but Rush, especially here seems to fling himself into a reckless committed abandon. Adding small things and nuances to make us love this man.

We also see a real respect for piano playing throughout the entire movie. Sometimes I worry in movies about musicians and sports players that the film will not grasp a real depiction of the work at hand. Here the shooting seems like an ode to the art of music, offering us very specifically chosen angles and often smooth and poignant lighting. We see what passion goes into the piano playing by the passion you can see for filming. Especially when he plays the Rach 3, he leaves everything on that piano and we feel it through the lens of a someone with passion for their own work.

I was a little torn by the script at times. At the beginning in particular they over play the commanding father figure. Some of the scenes are very sharply put back in Helfgott's seemingly insane mutterings later, but I think at times it was over done. Also I did have some issues with musical choices, if you are going to play mostly gorgeous classical pieces you should not also include that awful over synthesized soundtrack music that they used in the late 80's and  90's, it fails atrociously by comparison, even if they didn't realized that at the time, my forgiveness is lacking.

Overall: This is a pleasant, sometimes hard and sometimes humorous movie. A cleanly filmed story that reaches its viewers. I can see why it did not win in comparison to Fargo, or yes even the winner that year The English Patient, but it is certainly worth the watch if you are a music lover, or like a good comeback story. Happy Watching  

Its a Wonderful Life (1946)

Nominee

AFI Top 100: #20

There are so many reasons this movie is one of the ultimate timeless classics but just to name a few:

1.) It tells us about the importance of life without any blatant dialogue discussing its deeper meaning: 

We could have just had long discussions about life's purpose and obtained the same outcome of discovering life's meaning, but that is not the magic of this movie. The magic lies in the fact that the meaning is discovered through  a simple and poetic style that gives tribute to a small but not forgotten life. Specifically a man who does not see his own worth because he never achieved what he wanted, but he needs someone else to show him what he has done. A subtle but powerful way to give us a lesson. 

2.) There are extremely likable (and unlikable) characters who are memorable:

This a town that has truly been built around the people. They are what gives the movie its real atmosphere, even as I am writing I can think of many of the bit characters in this movie...Bert the police officer, Ernie the cab driver, Violet, Harry, Mr. Gower, Martini, Sam "Hee-Haa" Wainwright. You come to know and care about all these little people. On top of that you have the leading cast from forgetful Uncle Billy, to lovable Clarence, to one of the worst villains in movie history, Mr.Potter, and of course, George and Mary Bailey. Here I will once again confess my undying love for Jimmy Stewart and add Donna Reed to my praise, they really make this work.  If you love the characters you are going to love the movie. 

3.) It provides one of the first real looks at life, no Hollywood sugar coating:

This movie was made by real people, for real people, about real people. They did not try to make some over the top fast moving plot as was the norm back then. They merely tried to tell a simple but important story and I think that still translates today. We still enjoy the flirtation as they walk back soaking wet from the high school dance, we still get so frustrated as we see Uncle Billy forget the money in the newspaper. These people are real and flawed and we like them that way. 

4.) Its has Christmas as an prominent mood setter: 

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! Who doesn't like Christmas? It's bound to put a little joy in your heart right from the onset, you are sure to be singing along to Auld Lang Syne at the end. 

5.) The Ending:

It is the ultimate feel good ending. I have a friend from college who says "I would like to constantly experience two feelings, the feeling of putting on sweat pants and the feeling that you get at the end of It's a Wonderful Life." I of course agree, but what truly makes this ending great is the rest of the movie. We earn this ending as viewers, we were taken through a lifetime of hardship and love, and are given the ultimate gift of camaraderie and happiness. It is a great feeling.

Overall: At this point if you haven't guessed I love this movie. Now go watch it and then ring a bell, I am sure there is an angel who wouldn't mind some wings. :) Merry Christmas!

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

AFI Top 100: #41

Nominee

So I have not posted in far too long...which I now intend to make up for because I am on winter break and will be able to watch tons of movies!! Good stuff.

I saw this movie for the first time when I was little and did not fully understand the humor, so I found it boring and well...black and white. However I realized that I was probably missing out on a great film and decided to give it another go. I mean look at this cast! We have Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart, some of the best character actors on and off the screen. Oh and that third guy at the end, I guess he is pretty cool too. We also have the simplicity that was early 1940's cinema, elegantly telling a story with likable characters and seamless unnoticeable style, which in some ways is just as hard to achieve as the prominent stylistic choices of today.

The potential was there and as I discovered on my second viewing it certainly delivers. Filled with witticisms, and believe it or not drunken debauchery, this film is *commence Katharine Hepburn voice* chaaaarming. We have the young socialite, Tracy Lord, who is preparing for her wedding to her "ideal man", George Kittredge, when in walks her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven, with the press, Elizabeth Imbrie, and Macaulay Connor. A night of impulse ensues and as the wedding approaches our certainty  of who she is going to marry changes rapidly.

The all-star cast gives us the performances that only they can give, along with the supporting cast providing nuanced and enjoyable characters. I would like to shout out to Ruth Hussey as Elizabeth Imbrie for being my favorite character, and Virginia Weidler for a stirring rendition  of Lydia the Tattooed Lady.

My only qualm with this film is its outdated sub-message about marrying inside your class.  Although realistically people probably still do it seems to say that not only should you but you're not going to find love anywhere else. Maybe my romanticism is showing too much but I don't think that is really the case. You can marry someone from another class and be happy. Or at least it worked out okay for the Disney Princesses.

Overall: A fun film to watch that I promise you will enjoy. Definitely a seminal classic for comedy!