As we watched Rear Window, it was striking how much movies have changed in the last 50 or so years. In modern times Rear Window would probably be billed as an Art Film. There's no special effects to speak of, the only action is at the climax of the movie, much of the movie is dialog between two characters. Where to start. First, no matter what it may look like, the movie wasn't shot on location at all. It was an enourmous sound stage at Paramount.
The film has been paid homage a number of times, from Disturbia (2007) which earned a lawsuit from the copyright holders, to an episdoe of The Simpsons when Bart breaks his leg and is laid up. Don't forget there is also the remake with the late Christopher Reeve made for ABC which aired in 1998.
From the outset of the film you're drawn into the voyeurism of Stewart as he watches out his hot and muggy window to his Greenwich Village neighbors. You're quickly drawn in with titilation as you watch a topless woman put on some clothes (seen only from behind of course). You are fascinated with the stories and goings on of the people being watched. The newlyweds, the husband taking care of his wife, the spinster and the artist. It's almost like watching a silent movie for much of the spying. The sound is distant if there at all. The cinematography is extremely effective as the focus of the shots are quite often only the center of the screen and framed such that it's hard to make out the details. You need to really work on seeing what you shouldn't be looking at.
I'm sure everyone was or is shocked to hear the leading actress in the movie is a blond. I've mentioned Grace Kelly in the past when writing about High Noon so I won't guss but wow...she was a looker. Hitchcock certainly had taste in leading ladies. From Ingrid Bergman through Grace Kelly (Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief) and Doris Day (The Man Who Knew Too Much) to Kim Novak (Vertigo) and Eva Marie Saint (North By Northwest) or Janet Leigh (Psycho) to Tippy Hedron (The Birds, Marnie). Hitchcock knew how to pick 'em. His leading ladies were all gorgeous and that was what he needed. With his directorial attention to detail and the poses most of his leading ladies were required to make to showcase the Edith Head wardrobe. Sorry but when Kelly poses in an evening gown as she visits Stewart...
So we see the neighbors go about their business. We see the dancer entertain and fight off men. We see the spinster struggle with lonleiness and the newlywed husband called back to the bedroom...again..and again. We watch in fascination as the salesman tends to his demanding and invalid wife. The reversal of roles is interesting. The invalid Stewart, tended by Kelly, as they watch the invalid wife, tended by Thorwald (Raymond Burr). Add the nurse played by Thelma Ritter and the Detective played by Wendell Corey and the cast is complete.
I'm not going to run down the plot since it's almost a part of a Jungian collective unconscious. But the movie is marvelous. The pace is slower than what we're used to now but its strength is that pace. It makes you part of the situation. You feel almost guilty. You were the one watching private things that couldn't be explained in public. During the climax of the film your emotions aren't what you would expect. Don't you almost deserve what's happening?
I can't see the film not being included on the top 100 list in years to come. It's an example of how a film can be complex without action and with large portions being almost silent in nature. Having the audience ride along with the hero is an effective means to entertain.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Saving Private Ryan (1998) #71
How do you start on a film that describes some of the most relevant events of the last century? This is what I've been struggling with and it's the reason this post is so long in the making. In fact if there's a record for the longest time a post has been a draft and no one has clicked that little publish button...I think I might win.
You've probably read something about the opening minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" and how it's violent and extremely intense. Well that's partially correct. There is quite a bit if very intense action at the beginning of the movie and it starts about six minutes in. Make no mistake...at six minutes and twenty seconds you will be affected by the sudden intensity and randomness of armed conflict. In the next ten minutes or so the brutality of war takes center stage. Remember this is Omaha Beach. This is one of the first waves of D-Day and this is one of the very first waves of troops landed. Omaha Beach was the most fortified of the landing beaches and the casualties were significant.
During The landing scenes the film runs the risk of being too violent and having that violence work against telling the story. There was a negative reaction to the level of violence shown but it was portraying violent acts. This isn't antiseptic war. It isn't about showing those nasty "other guys" and the whiter than white American troops. I hope I never see that level of violence in real life. In fact, I wish it were possible for no one to ever see it.
I've often wondered and talked to others in my family on the reality of being in one of those boats. Would I have the courage to get on to one of them with the full knowledge my chances would be 50:50? Not sure. I can't see most of my contemporaries doing it. This, at least for me, drives home the argument the generation that were young adults in World War II were the finest generation produced in modern times.
It would be hard to argue they weren't the best generation produced. The US troops on Utah and Omaha, the Canadians on Juno and the British on Sword and and Gold. Since I'm Canadian I do have to mention that almost 10% of Canada's population (1.1 million of the total population of 12 million at wars end) served during WW II and I find that to be a staggering statistic. As pointed out by my wife, the US had more than 10% (around 16 million of 132 ish million) Conscription wasn't started in Canada until 1944 and a division was sent to Europe in 1940. Given the largely rural nature of Canada at that time I find it surprising
Anyway, on to the movie. Based very loosely on the situation and sacrifice of Agnes Allison who lost four sons during the Civil War (A monument to her was seen by Robert Rodat in 1994) and the Niland Brothers who it was believed to have lost three during action in the Second World War, the movie follows the events after a reading of a letter by then Army Chief of Staff George Marshall. Attributed to Abraham Lincoln, the leter was written to Lydia Bixby whom it was believed lost three sons in battle during the Civil War. The authorship of the letter is in question, and it turns out, also the disposition of the sons. Two of the sons deserted and one was captured and later honorably discharged on his return to the union. Anyway the letter is remarkable and isn't diminished by the circumstances nor the possible change in authorship.
At the end of the first day of battle you see, through the haunted eyes of Hanks, a body lying on the bloodied beach with "S. Ryan" on his back. Since the name of the film is "Saving Private Ryan" it's reasonable to assume that's not the eponymous Ryan. James Francis Ryan was serving in the 101st Airborne and his 3 bothers have died recently in battle. The Army Chief of Staff learns of this and orders the surviving Ryan be found and shipped home. The rest of the movie follows the squad tasked with finding Ryan.
Ribisi's very memorable scene after the squad takes out a machine gun nest again communicates this isn't antiseptic war. Vin Diesel's big scene (Casparza) and the performances from Danson and Giamatti don't point to clinical. The movie uses its immense cast to shape and play off the story. The ability of Hanks to stand up to the incredible cast is a testament to his talent. Not bad for a guy that got his big break wearing drag on "Bosum Buddies" almost 20 years before. I think it was Penny Marshall that called Hanks a national treasure after "Big" and while it's the wrong nation I can't argue with the sentiment.
The movie is paced well and has some of the most powerful combat footage ever shown. A hand to hand in the village they finally find Ryan in is simply chilling. No not chilling. Take chilling and astounding and powerful and amazing and combine them. Whatever word that is. Chillastounerfulzing.
This film will be watched for a hundred years and I haven't done it even close to justice.
Snagged the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Director, Sound Effects Editing, Film Editing and Sound. Also picked up the nominations for (winners in brackets) Best Picture (Shakespeare in Love), Best Actor - Tom Hanks (Roberto Benigni), Best Original Screenplay (Shakespeare in Love). Time to once again face palm at the Academy. Do you think there is ANY chance Shakespeare in Love will show up on a "Best Movies" list? I mean if there was a list the best movies dealing with a playright who's name rhymes with...Beer...and lived in England in the 16th and 17th centuries....sure!
You've probably read something about the opening minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" and how it's violent and extremely intense. Well that's partially correct. There is quite a bit if very intense action at the beginning of the movie and it starts about six minutes in. Make no mistake...at six minutes and twenty seconds you will be affected by the sudden intensity and randomness of armed conflict. In the next ten minutes or so the brutality of war takes center stage. Remember this is Omaha Beach. This is one of the first waves of D-Day and this is one of the very first waves of troops landed. Omaha Beach was the most fortified of the landing beaches and the casualties were significant.
During The landing scenes the film runs the risk of being too violent and having that violence work against telling the story. There was a negative reaction to the level of violence shown but it was portraying violent acts. This isn't antiseptic war. It isn't about showing those nasty "other guys" and the whiter than white American troops. I hope I never see that level of violence in real life. In fact, I wish it were possible for no one to ever see it.
I've often wondered and talked to others in my family on the reality of being in one of those boats. Would I have the courage to get on to one of them with the full knowledge my chances would be 50:50? Not sure. I can't see most of my contemporaries doing it. This, at least for me, drives home the argument the generation that were young adults in World War II were the finest generation produced in modern times.
It would be hard to argue they weren't the best generation produced. The US troops on Utah and Omaha, the Canadians on Juno and the British on Sword and and Gold. Since I'm Canadian I do have to mention that almost 10% of Canada's population (1.1 million of the total population of 12 million at wars end) served during WW II and I find that to be a staggering statistic. As pointed out by my wife, the US had more than 10% (around 16 million of 132 ish million) Conscription wasn't started in Canada until 1944 and a division was sent to Europe in 1940. Given the largely rural nature of Canada at that time I find it surprising
Anyway, on to the movie. Based very loosely on the situation and sacrifice of Agnes Allison who lost four sons during the Civil War (A monument to her was seen by Robert Rodat in 1994) and the Niland Brothers who it was believed to have lost three during action in the Second World War, the movie follows the events after a reading of a letter by then Army Chief of Staff George Marshall. Attributed to Abraham Lincoln, the leter was written to Lydia Bixby whom it was believed lost three sons in battle during the Civil War. The authorship of the letter is in question, and it turns out, also the disposition of the sons. Two of the sons deserted and one was captured and later honorably discharged on his return to the union. Anyway the letter is remarkable and isn't diminished by the circumstances nor the possible change in authorship.
At the end of the first day of battle you see, through the haunted eyes of Hanks, a body lying on the bloodied beach with "S. Ryan" on his back. Since the name of the film is "Saving Private Ryan" it's reasonable to assume that's not the eponymous Ryan. James Francis Ryan was serving in the 101st Airborne and his 3 bothers have died recently in battle. The Army Chief of Staff learns of this and orders the surviving Ryan be found and shipped home. The rest of the movie follows the squad tasked with finding Ryan.
Ribisi's very memorable scene after the squad takes out a machine gun nest again communicates this isn't antiseptic war. Vin Diesel's big scene (Casparza) and the performances from Danson and Giamatti don't point to clinical. The movie uses its immense cast to shape and play off the story. The ability of Hanks to stand up to the incredible cast is a testament to his talent. Not bad for a guy that got his big break wearing drag on "Bosum Buddies" almost 20 years before. I think it was Penny Marshall that called Hanks a national treasure after "Big" and while it's the wrong nation I can't argue with the sentiment.
The movie is paced well and has some of the most powerful combat footage ever shown. A hand to hand in the village they finally find Ryan in is simply chilling. No not chilling. Take chilling and astounding and powerful and amazing and combine them. Whatever word that is. Chillastounerfulzing.
This film will be watched for a hundred years and I haven't done it even close to justice.
Snagged the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Director, Sound Effects Editing, Film Editing and Sound. Also picked up the nominations for (winners in brackets) Best Picture (Shakespeare in Love), Best Actor - Tom Hanks (Roberto Benigni), Best Original Screenplay (Shakespeare in Love). Time to once again face palm at the Academy. Do you think there is ANY chance Shakespeare in Love will show up on a "Best Movies" list? I mean if there was a list the best movies dealing with a playright who's name rhymes with...Beer...and lived in England in the 16th and 17th centuries....sure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)