Posts Tagged ‘romantic comedy’
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Review:
When ageing businessman Cary Grant arrives in Tokyo two days early, he can’t get a hotel room. Desperate, he convinces young American Samantha Eggar to let him stay in her room. The next day, he meets athlete Jim Hutton, who also arrived two days early and needs a place to stay, offering him the second couch. What follows is classic Grant: he does everything he can to manipulate the woman to fall in love - but this time not with him, but with Hutton. The film is a supremely silly slapstick comedy, a vastly underrated swansong to Grant’s career and a great portrayal of his infinite charm and personality. The supporting cast is rather weak, but Grant alone makes the film worth watching.
Random Observations:
Walk Don’t Run at the IMDb
This is a remake of the 1941 film The More the Merrier, moving the location from Washington affected by the WW II housing shortage, to Tokyo during the Olympics.
The film was actually shot on location during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
This is Cary Grant’s last film. At 61, he had become to old as the romantic lead, so he decided to retire instead of doing supporting parts.
Tags: 1966, American Film, Ben Astar, Charles Walters, Comedy, english, Frank Ross, George Takei, Jim Hutton, John Standing, Lois Kiuchi, Miiko Taka, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, remake, Robert Russell, romance, romantic comedy, Samantha Eggar, Sol Saks, Ted Hartley, Teru Shimada, The More the Merrier, Walk Don't Run
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Review:
Fast talking guys and gals, witty repartee and doing anything to get a story - those were the heydays of journalism. In this update of the stage play The Front Page, Cary Grant’s Walter tries everything to convince his colleague Hildy to stay - not just for professional reasons, but also because he can’t stand the idea of his ex-wife Rosalind Russell marrying another man. Director Howard Hawks creates an immensely funny romantic comedy that focuses on the comedy and delegates the romance to the back-seat, making it all the more effective. The story might be largely preposterous, but just to hear these newspapermen (and-women) talk for 90 minutes is sheer delight.
Random Observations:
His Girl Friday at the IMDb
Many critics at the time thought that Grant was miscast, stating that Clark Gable would have been a better choice. Considering the similar character Gable played in You Can’t Take It with You, I’ll take Grant any day.
Quite possibly the best line in the film: “He looks like that actor…Ralph Bellamy!”
I also quite like that the last person who said he would get the better of him to Cary Grant was Archie Leach.
The play had previously been adapted for a 1930 film and has served as the inspiration for any number of remakes and updates, including Billy Wilder’s 1974 version starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.
Tags: 1940, Abner Biberman, Alma Kruger, American Film, based on play, Ben Hecht, Billy Gilbert, Billy Wilder, Cary Grant, Charles Lederer, Charles MacArthur, Clarence Kolb, Clark Gable, Cliff Edwards, Comedy, Edwin Maxwell, english, Ernest Truex, Frank Jenks, Frank Orth, Gene Lockhart, Helen Mack, His Girl Friday, Howard Hawks, Jack Lemmon, John Qualen, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Pat West, Porter Hall, Ralph Bellamy, Regis Toomey, remake, romance, romantic comedy, Rosalind Russell, Roscoe Karns, The Front Page, Walter Matthau, You Can't Take It with You
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Friday, June 11th, 2010
Review:
Cary Grant is about to get married, but when he discovers that his love Doris Nolan is a very rich woman, things get a little complicated. But he is accepted by her family despite his working class origins - especially by her sister Katherine Hepburn, who soon has more interest in him than Nolan. The film is a combination of comedy and drama, combining funny lines and fish-out-of-water scenes with a dramatic touch that gives the whole undertaking emotional resonance. Grant and Hepburn are brilliant together, creating a couple almost without flaws. The ending is a little too sappy for my best taste, but at least it stays true to the characters.
Random Observations:
Holiday at the IMDb
The film is actually a remake, the first film adaptation of the play was done eight years previously.
Former circus acrobat Cary Grant does his own back-flips in this film.
Utterly brilliant: Lew Ayres as the sisters’ brother, whose need to be a part of the family business has turned him into a heavy drinker.
The film is directed by George Cukor, one of those directors that really knew how to use the studio system of early Hollywood to their advantage. He might not have been as versatile as some of his peers, but he made some very good films.
Tags: 1938, American Film, based on play, Binnie Barnes, Cary Grant, Comedy, Donald Ogden Stewart, Doris Nolan, Drama, Edward Everett Horton, english, George Cukor, Henry Daniell, Henry Kolker, Holiday, Jean Dixon, Katharine Hepburn, Lew Ayres, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Philip Barry, remake, romance, romantic comedy, Sidney Buchman
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Review:
After suspecting each other of infidelity, married couple Cary Grant and Irene Dunne decide to get a divorce. But during the 90-day waiting period for it to be finalized, they both do everything in their power to undermine the other’s attempt to find someone new. Based on a play (and adapted on film even before this 1937 classic), the film is a charming romantic comedy that works because both partners, despite their many flaws, are exceedingly sympathetic characters. Fine performances all around - also from the supporting cast - make this an enjoyable, if shallow film.
Random Observations:
The Awful Truth at the IMDb
Director Leo McCarey won an Oscar for this, one of very few directors ever to win for a comedy film.
Did you know that American every-man Cary Grant was actually British?
The story is a bit uneven, with her new partner definitely being wrong (and as such it being easier for the viewer to cheer for the husband to break them up), while no such indication is ever made about his new girl - meaning that her sabotage comes off decidedly more mean-spirited.
Tags: 1937, Alexander D'Arcy, American Film, Arthur Richman, based on play, based on previously published material, Cary Grant, Cecil Cunningham, Comedy, english, Esther Dale, Irene Dunne, Joyce Compton, Leo McCarey, Mary Forbes, minute movie review, Molly Lamont, movie review, Movies, Oscar, Ralph Bellamy, Robert Allen, Robert Warwick, romance, romantic comedy, The Awful Truth, Viña Delmar
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Review:
After being released from a mental institution, Maggie Gyllenhaal still has trouble dealing with life. She gets her first job working as a secretary for James Spader. Before long, their relationship turns to more than the usual employer-employee one, when he begins dominating her - and she enjoys it. An unflinching and unprejudiced look at the peculiarities of sadomasochistic relationships, the film is quite likely the most offbeat romantic comedy of all time. Sadly, despite the strong themes, the film never really finds its footing, swaying between a whimsical outlook and a harsh reality that threatens to destroy the story. Strong performances by the lead characters, however, salvage the wreck somewhat, creating an interesting and unusual film.
Random Observations:
Secretary at the IMDb
Since the film is based on a short story, the role was obviously not written with Maggie Gyllenhaal in mind, but it might just as well have been.
Both Gyllenhaal and James Spader have a knack for picking films in slightly outlandish films - Crash anyone?
Tags: 2002, American Film, Amy Locane, based on previously published material, based on short story, book adaptation, Comedy, Crash, Drama, english, Erin Cressida Wilson, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Jessica Tuck, Lesley Ann Warren, Lily Knight, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Gaitskill, Mary Joy, Michael Mantell, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Oz Perkins, Patrick Bauchau, romance, romantic comedy, Secretary, Stephen McHattie, Steven Shainberg
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Review:
It’s 1960 and a young man working for an insurance company has figured out the perfect way to get promoted: let his superiors take their dates to his apartment! Naturally, this leads to some trouble, especially when the girl he is hopelessly in love with turns out to be the mistress of his new boss. The film is a classic comedy and probably one of the funniest films ever made. The pitch perfect script by director Billy Wilder never disappoints and Jack Lemmon in the lead role is simply superb, acting-wise. The film also manages to combine the comedy with some real drama and insight into urban and suburban life - long before Mad Men came along.
Random Observations:
The Apartment at the IMDb
As one could expect from any project involving Billy Wilder, the film is extremely quotable.
Nice turn by Fred MacMurray as the heartless boss. And I guess Shirley MacLaine is good as well.
Co-written by I.A.L Diamond, née Itek Domnic. If someone could explain those initials, I would be most pleased.
The eminently funny Ray Walston is also in this film - mostly there to deliver a jab at Marilyn Monroe for Wilder.
Tags: 1960, American Film, Billy Wilder, Comedy, David Lewis, David White, Drama, Edie Adams, english, Fred MacMurray, Hope Holiday, I.A.L. Diamond, Jack Kruschen, Jack Lemmon, Joan Shawlee, Johnny Seven, Joyce Jameson, Mad Men, Marilyn Monroe, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Naomi Stevens, Ray Walston, romance, romantic comedy, Shirley MacLaine, The Apartment, Willard Waterman
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Review:
Young Princess Ann is tired of her sheltered lifestyle and on a visit to Rome decides to break out. She spends 24 hours with an American journalist who pretends not to recognize her in the hope for the story of a lifetime. Naturally, they become friends while having fun in the city, and even more naturally, fall in love. A fish out of water story like this is admittedly not fairly original, but it might have been more original in 1953. Nevertheless, the film endures, for the great acting by leads Audrey Hepburn (in her Oscar-winning first lead role) and Gregory Peck, their easy chemistry, some truly funny scenes (most involving Peck’s photographer friend) and a return to reality after the fairy tale.
Random Observations:
Roman Holiday at the IMDb
Extremely unusual for the time, the film was entirely shot on location in Rome. It was the first Hollywood production to be shot exclusively in Italy.
Writer Dalton Trumbo had to go uncredited since he was blacklisted for his refusal to talk to the House Un-American Activities Committee. His friend and fellow writer Ian McLellan Hunter fronted for him and even won an Oscar for a story he didn’t write.
Frank Capra was first attached to direct, but withdrew when he heard that Trumbo had written the story. William Wyler then directed his first comedy in over twenty years.
Gregory Peck jumped at the chance to make the film, despite the fact that “the script had Cary Grant’s thumbprints on it”.
Tags: 1953, Alfredo Rizzo, American Film, Andrea Esterhazy, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Claudio Ermelli, Comedy, Dalton Trumbo, Diane Lante, Eddie Albert, english, Frank Capra, Gorella Gori, Gregory Peck, Harcourt Williams, Hartley Power, Heinz Hindrich, Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton, John Horne, Laura Solari, Margaret Rawlings, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Oscar, Paola Borboni, Paolo Carlini, Roman Holiday, romance, romantic comedy, Tullio Carminati, Ugo De Pascale, William Wyler
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Click the link to open the second door. Klick auf den Link, um das zweite Türchen zu öffnen.
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Tags: 2002, About a Boy, Adventskalender, Augustus Prew, book adaptation, British Film, Chris Weitz, Comedy, deutsch, Drama, english, Hugh Grant, Isabel Brook, Jason Salkey, movie review, Movies, Natalia Tena, Nicholas Hoult, Nick Hornby, Paul Weitz, Peter Hedges, Rachel Weisz, romantic comedy, Sharon Small, Toni Collette, Victoria Smurfit
Posted in Adventskalender, Adventskalender 2009, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
Review:
You haven’t seen Groundhog Day? That is a crass oversight. Go watch it right now. There isn’t a single person alive who doesn’t love this film. It might just be the best thing Bill Murray ever did. And he was in my two favourite films, Lost in Translation and The Royal Tenenbaums. I can’t recommend this film more. Watch it now. You will laugh.
Random Observations:
Groundhog Day at the IMDb
You have seen the film, right? It’s awesome, right?
This might be one of the best romantic comedies of all time, although I have some trouble calling it a romantic comedy because it’s so good. And so different.
Tags: 1993, American Film, Andie MacDowell, Angela Paton, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, Chris Elliott, Comedy, Danny Rubin, english, fantasy movie, Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis, Lost in Translation, Marita Geraghty, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Rick Ducommun, Rick Overton, Robin Duke, romance, romantic comedy, Stephen Tobolowsky, The Royal Tenenbaums
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Review:
Lily works at a fast food restaurant, is (rightfully) considered odd by her co-workers and is in love with Jarrod. When she impresses him with her video-game skills at a “dress as your favourite animal” party, they end up together and go to visit his family, where complications follow. The film is an extremely unusual romantic comedy, with some great ideas and a certain sweetness that the sterile Hollywood rom-coms of today completely lack. The film is often funny, but also very sad in it’s portrayal of life. Utterly predictable, yet also disarmingly honest.
Random Observations:
Eagle vs Shark at the IMDb
Lily may be the nicest Manic Pixie Dream Girl of all time - and also the most realistic one.
The title sounds more like a horrible B-movie, but it’s actually about their favourite animals. I think tribute parties are definitely in order.
Tags: 2007, Bernard Stewart, Brian Sergent, Cohen Holloway, Comedy, Craig Hall, David Fane, Eagle vs Shark, english, Gentiane Lupi, Jemaine Clement, Joel Tobeck, Loren Horsley, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, minute movie review, Morag Hills, movie review, Movies, New Zealand Film, Rachel House, romance, romantic comedy, Taika Cohen, Taika Waititi
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
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