"Midnight Cowboy"

I hesitate to admit this but Saturday was the first time I'd ever seen this entire film.  "Midnight Cowboy" was released in 1969 when I was 12 years old so it's not surprising I had missed it when it first came out.  Funny side story: "Easy Rider" came out the same year and I did see that film - with my parents and my grandmother.  My mother took us out to the movies for a nice family outing and ended up sitting in between her 12 year old daughter and her 69 year old mother-in-law, both of whom where leaning over to her and whispering, "What are they doing??"  Obviously, my mother had no idea what the film was about. I think she just wanted to see Jack Nicholson.  

"Midnight Cowboy" starring Jon Voight as Joe Buck and Dustin Hoffman as Ratso Rizzo caused quite a stir when it opened in 1969 by being rated "X."  It was based on the book of the same name written by James Leo Herlihy and directed by John Schlesinger ("Day of the Locust" "Marathon Man".)  It went on to the become the only "X" rated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture and then, amazingly, it won, beating out "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Anne of a Thousand Days."   The story is about Joe Buck, a good looking but naive Texas boy who is looking to make a buck in New York City by becoming a hustler.  After trying and failing and losing more money than he earns, he meets Ratso Rizzo who promises to help him.  Together they also have failure after failure and eventually end up nearly freezing and starving to death in Ratso's make-shift apartment.  Ratso becomes ill and Joe does everything he can to scrounge for money.  The film ends with Joe using what money they have and taking Ratso to Florida, which has always been his dream.  The friendship that forms between these two is one of convenience at first but it develops into a true partnership where neither man can imagine being without the other.  Jon Voight plays Joe Buck as a simple cowboy who just wants to forget his life in Texas (there are very unpleasant flashbacks all through the film involving a girlfriend and a brutal attack by a gang.)  Despite what seems to be a horrific episode in his life, he has managed to maintain his humanity and is just looking to survive however he can.  Ratso is a man who was born with a distinct disadvantage due to a physical deformity and is also trying to survive.  Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Ratso reminded me in some ways of a small dog who thinks he's tougher than he is.  This serves him well and he ends up protecting Joe more than Joe protects him.  Dustin Hoffman is one of those rare actors who can take a character and become that character with his whole being and Ratso will start out making you cringe and end up making you cry.

This is a film about two damaged people whom we shouldn't care about but we do because of the performances by Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight.  Their characters form an alliance and a friendship that will break your heart.  Plus the ending is a tour de force - beautifully shot with such tender acting between the two men.  The images will linger in your mind long after the film is over.  

Joan Crawford and "Possessed"

You have to be self-reliant and strong to survive in this town. Otherwise you will be destroyed.

Joan Crawford

Take a look at this picture.  Is this the Joan Crawford that you remember?  I sure don't.  During our second class at Stanford, Mr. LaSalle showed us another film from the Pre-Code era called "Possessed" starring Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Wallace Ford.  Joan Crawford plays a small town factory girl named Marian who is longing for excitement.  She leaves the small town and her long time admirer, Al Manning, played by Wallace Ford, and heads to New York.  There she becomes the mistress of Mark Whitney, a wealthy divorced attorney played by Clark Gable.  Mark is unwilling to marry again so Marian posses as the divorced Mrs. Moreland to cover up their relationship.  Mark eventually decides that he loves her enough to marry her but when he decides to run for Governor, Marian overhears his colleagues discussing how any scandal would ruin his chance of winning.  When Mark finally comes to Marian to ask her to marry him, she pretends that she doesn't love him, that she's never loved him, and what a chump he is for ever thinking that she did.  Watching Joan play this woman who is giving up the love of her life to save his career is heartbreaking and tender at the same time.  Her face when Mark turns his back to her during their argument gives up her anguish and despair to the audience with a simple look.  She then disappears from his life.  But, when Mark is on the verge of being elected and his opponent tries to start a scandal by distributing flyer's that say "Who is Mrs. Moreland?" she comes to a rally and stands up and tells everyone who Mrs. Moreland is.  To save his career, again.  The speech she gives and Mark's reply are beautifully written and beautifully acted.  

This movie completely changed my thoughts about Joan Crawford.  As a young woman, she was a vulnerable actress who drew you in with her intensity.  I was completely enthralled by her.  Compare that to the older actress I remember who was bitter, hard and scary to watch.  She was still a powerful actress but the tenderness and vulnerability were gone.  Now I need to read more about her life to see what happened.  

*Here's something I noticed as I was looking for pictures of Joan:

Minus the cigarette - remind you of anyone?  

Madonna stole her look!

          

Norma Shearer and the Pre-Code Era

"The morals of yesterday are no more. They are as dead as the day they were lived. Economic independence has put woman on exactly the same footing as man." Norma Shearer

I have had the pleasure of attending a film class at Stanford University for the past 10 weeks and have been introduced to a stunning actress and film era that is in danger of being forgotten.  My professor, Mick LaSalle, film critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, author and historian, presented a film a couple of weeks ago called "The Divorcee" starring Norma Shearer.  I had heard of Norma Shearer but had never had the pleasure of seeing one of her films.  Mr. LaSalle gave us a wonderful introduction to the era that she worked in, namely the 20's and 30's, in what has become known as "the pre-code" era.  Starting in July of 1934, a censorship code, developed by a Jesuit Priest and a lay Catholic and adopted by the studios to avoid government censorship, was established in Hollywood and all films were held to a very strict "moral compass."  Thus depictions of sex outside of marriage were never to be portrayed as attractive or beautiful or made to seem right and permissible.  There was to be no swearing, no interracial couples, no homosexuality, all criminal acts were to be punished, and the clergy could never be presented in a comic or evil light.  Basically, they took all the fun out of movies.


Prior to July 1934, pre-code films had become quite bold and the biggest stars of the day were women.  The biggest star being Norma Shearer.  She was beautiful, charming, a wonderful actress and a force in Hollywood.  These films depicted strong independent women who had love affairs, jobs, marriages, divorces, and called the shots in their own lives whether it be good or bad.  Even the clothes they wore were daring.  The beautiful silky gowns of the 30's showed a pride and confidence in their sexuality that was apparently too much for the clergy at the time.  The film we watched, "The Divorcee," is about a woman who discovers that her husband has had an affair and how she deals with it; namely by having an affair herself.  The dialogue between Jerry (Norma Shearer) and Ted (Chester Morris) when she realizes that the flirtations of a woman at a party are not innocent, could be said today.  Ted comes over to Norma to kiss her after talking with the other woman and Jerry says, "There is something about the way she was looking at you that makes me want to kill her."  And one of the last lines of the film is my favorite.  Jerry says it to Ted after he has come back to her to tell her that he forgives her for her affair even though he never took responsibility for his own - that was different, you know.  Jerry says, with so much pride and courage, "From now on, you're the only man in the world that my door is closed to."  "The Divorcee" is a film that still feels modern (despite the sometimes stilted acting that was popular at the time) and I highly recommend it.  It is available on Netflix along with another film starring Norma Shearer, Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable called "A Free Soul."  This film is also a very good representation of the pre-code era and has an amazing scene with Lionel Barrymore at the end.   Lionel Barrymore won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this film and it also catapulted Clark Gable's career.  


Hollywood has never quite recovered from the Code.  Women like Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich and Carole Lombard were the stars in the early 1930's depicting real women facing real issues.  After the Code, Hollywood became male dominated and women were pushed into supporting roles.  I urge you to take a look at some of these films and actresses and see a body of work that could be presented today and should not be forgotten.    

You Know How to Whistle, Don't You, Steve?

"I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that." 

Lauren Bacall

I saw this picture in Vanity Fair magazine yesterday and thought I would share it with you.  Lauren Bacall was one in a million - her looks, her poise, her beautiful deep voice, and her flawless acting all made her an icon.  If you have never seen her on screen, please take a look at "To Have and Have Not" (also starring Humphrey Bogart who married her at the age of 19 - he was 45), "The Big Sleep" or "Key Largo." She went on to star on stage and won two Tony Awards for "Applause" in 1970 and "Woman of the Year" in 1981.  Her style is one that has never been repeated and her beauty lives on.

Aren't we lucky.

Best Actress Nominations

Let's go through these nominees one by one:

Nicole Kidman for "Rabbit Hole" - I have not seen this movie yet and I'm not sure I will.  The subject matter of the film (parents dealing with the death of their only son) has stopped me.  Nicole Kidman is almost always spot on with her performances so I am not surprised that she would be nominated, especially in a year that did not provide all that many starring roles for women.

Michelle Williams for "Blue Valentine" - I saw this movie right after it came out and was quite undone by it.  Michelle plays a woman struggling with losing her marriage and the film is told in flashback form where we are thrown back and forth throughout her relationship with Ryan Gosling (who should have been nominated as well) in an almost manic form.  Michelle is wonderful in the part, although I felt her pain at the end more than I felt her joy in the beginning.  She is an actress who's face shows so much emotion that it's hard not to get caught up in her.  I liked her very much in this part and I am very excited to see what else she does in the future. 

Jennifer Lawrence for "Winter's Bone" -  I also saw this film in the theatre right after it was released and was blown away.  It is not a happy story but I was mesmerized by Jennifer Lawrence, never having seen her or heard about her before I saw this.  Her gripping portrayal of a young teenage girl trying to save her family in the Ozark backwoods is so touching and heartbreaking that I came out of the theatre afraid that I would still be in the woods.  She brought a fierce determination to the role that is not to be forgotten. 

Natalie Portman for "Black Swan" - I have seen this film twice and liked it and Natalie much better the second time.  It is a very odd role, especially for someone as beautiful as Natalie, however, she brings a kind of tenderness and fragility to the role that is much needed.  She gave a wonderful performance as a ballet dancer crumbling before our eyes but it was not my favorite performance of the year. 

Annette Bening for "The Kid's Are All Right" - I have seen this movie twice and both times I was struck by the honesty of Annette's performance as "Nick."  She brings this character alive and provides the glue that holds the film together.  Nick is a hard-working woman who loves her family and when she is faced with it's demise, she lays her heart out for all to see (something that is obviously hard for her to do) and Annette plays the role with such aplomb and guts, that as I watched her, I felt as if I was truly watching a real woman fight to keep her family together.  My vote for Best Actress this year would go to Annette. 

Best Actor Nominations

The list of nominees is quite impressive this year.  Let's go through them one by one:

Javier Bardem for "Biutiful" - I have not seen this film yet but have read glowing reviews for both the film and for Javier's performance.  Javier has already won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his work in "No Country For Old Men" in 2008 and is considered one of the finest actors of our time.  I will review "Biutiful" and Javier once I see it.

James Franco for "127 Hours" - I have seen this film.  Four times to be exact.  It is my favorite movie of the year.   James' performance, which carries the entire film, is nothing short of stunning.  His transformation from a carefree young man out for a day of hiking to a man facing his own demise to a man who does the unthinkable to survive is truly a study in courage.  He makes you laugh, cry, cringe, and ultimately cheer for Aaron Ralston and his ordeal and survival.  James completely owns the role and so deserves this nomination. 

Jesse Eisenberg for "The Social Network" - I want to see this film again.  Jesse Eisenberg does something amazing here - he takes what could be one of the most boring characters to ever be in a film and makes him come alive.  You may hate him or envy him but you feel something.  He is supported by a wonderful young cast who make this story of ingenuity, genius, and betrayal well worth watching.  Jesse also completely owns the role and is probably mistaken for Mark Zuckerberg all the time.

Colin Firth for "The King's Speech" - I have seen this film as well.  Three times to be exact.  Colin Firth takes another character who could have been dull on film and makes him three dimensional and so appealing that the audience I first saw it with cheered at the end.  His portrayal of the stutter that afflicted King George VI never feels put on or gimmicky.  It truly seems as if Colin Firth has always spoken like that.  Colin is George VI and has my vote this year for Best Actor of 2010.

Jeff Bridges for "True Grit" - Now, I have loved Jeff Bridges my entire life so this is very hard for me to write.  I did not love this movie and I did not love his performance.  It felt forced and too much like a caricature for me.  The best performance in this film was done by the youngest member of the cast, Haliee Steinfeld, and Jeff did a good job supporting her but as a leading actor role, I feel he fell short.  His win last year was so deserved - I hope he does more roles like that one. 

"Saturday Night Fever" 34 Years Later

Last night my film class at Stanford University viewed a film that I hadn't thought about in quite a number of years: 

This 1977 iconic film, that most people remember only for the dancing and the white suit pictured here, is actually quite a dark study of a very specific time period in American culture.  That period would be the disco era in New York City that lasted only about 5 years from around 1975 to 1980.  It stars the beautiful and very young John Travolta, who astounded me last night with his acting.  His portrayal of Tony Manero, a 19 year old living with his very catholic parents, working at the local paint store and dancing at the 2001 Disco club on weekends, is touching, funny, honest, and at times brutally mean-spirited.  I first saw this film as a 20 year old girl living in conservative Orange County, California, and it had quite an impact on me.  The blatant sexism and misogyny overshadowed the rest of the film almost completely.  For me at the time, it was actually kind of a scary film due to the graphic nature of the mistreatment of women.  Seeing it again last night from an older perspective, was quite enlightening.  I was better able to appreciate the beauty of the film and to see it for the period study that it is.  It is filmed in a gritty style that moves from the streets of New York, to the family house where Tony lives, to the disco and finally to the rehearsal hall where his partner, Stephanie, is filmed with a gauze-like quality that makes her look almost angelic.  This grittiness gives the film a raw feeling that helps emphasize the debauchery of the era and the baseness of the characters.  This is a film that is worth taking another look at - it captures a time in American history with honesty and style, and the disenchantment of Travolta's Tony at the end of the film leaves you feeling hopeful that he can rise above his roots and environment to a more enlightened life.  Thank goodness our culture seems to have done the same thing.  Oh, and I still love the Bee Gees.