"Repulsion" - Repression or Abuse?

In my continuing effort to educate myself on all aspects of film making, and in honor of Halloween, I took the opportunity last night to view the infamous 1965 Roman Polanski film, "Repulsion." This film was groundbreaking in many ways, the most renowned of which was the performance by Catherine Deneuve in her second feature role (her first was "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.")  "Repulsion" is the story of a young woman who is repulsed by the sex act and eventually descends into madness with bloody consequences.  While I understand this woman was repulsed by any contact with men, whether it was actual physical contact or contact with any thing (such as a toothbrush or shaving razor) having to do with a man, I am not at all convinced it was simply due to her psychosis.  There is a disturbing scene where a family portrait is shown in close up and the little blond girl in the background is clearly Catherine's character.  The rest of the family is smiling and sitting close together, while Catherine's character is standing back, apart, distant and forlorn.  There is certainly something amiss in this family.  She is also visited every night at midnight by dreams of recurring sexual abuse and rape by the same man, whom I believe is probably her father.  Her attempt to lead a normal life as an adult becomes an impossibility for her and she commits murder to keep herself safe from what she perceives as tremendous danger to her person.  Repulsion such as this does not develop independently.  There is almost always a history of abuse that precedes it.  Thus I feel this is a film about a woman who endured violent abuse and lost her mind as a result.  This film is brilliant in its depiction of the slow deterioration of Catherine and Catherine plays it perfectly.  There are moments of fright and terror, but the true genius of the film are the close ups of Catherine and the long scenes of her loneliness and anguish.  You will feel like it will never end but hang in there with it.  This film is a genre all to itself, and the vision of the beautiful, yet so disturbed Catherine Deneuve will haunt you.

I Had a 50/50 Chance I'd Like This Film....

  ....and I did!  The thought of watching a film about a 29 year old man who is diagnosed with cancer and has a 50/50 chance of surviving (especially one that costars Seth Rogen) is not exactly the way I want to spend an evening but this film was worth it.  "50/50" starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("500 Days of Summer" "Inception"), Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up" "Pineapple Express"), Anna Kendrick ("Up In The Air" "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World"), Bryce Dallas Howard ("The Help" "Lady In The Water"), Angelica Houston ("Crimes and Misdemeanors" "The Grifters") and directed by Will Reiser (known until now as a TV producer and director) presents its subject matter with humor, respect and lots and lots of heart.  I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by Seth Rogen.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt has already proven himself to be one of our finest young actors and his career will continue to rise with his performance in this film.  Seth Rogen plays his best friend and tones down his acting by about 100% compared to his other films.  He brings a much needed sense of humor, coupled with a true love for his friend, that is endearing and very true to life.  Bryce Dallas Howard plays the girlfriend who is in over her head and she continues to be quite an actress.  You can feel her anguish over wanting to be there for her boyfriend but not truly understanding just what he is facing.  Anna Kendrick plays the very young therapist who is assigned to help Joseph and she, too, continues to be one of our finest up and coming actors.  Her scenes with Joseph are some of the best in the film.  Angelica Houston is also superb as Joseph's mom who has always been overbearing and intrusive in his life.  He holds her at arm's length but comes to know that her love for him is just what he needs.  This is a film about the fragility of life, family, love in all shapes and sizes, finding joy, and finding peace.  Never did I think I would walk out of that theatre feeling better than when I went in, but this film achieved that.  This is film making at its best.  

Class #3: Clark Gable - A Classic Actor and Then Some

Clark Gable

1901-1960

"I'm just a lucky slob from Ohio who happened to be in the right place at the right time."

And aren't we lucky he was in that place!  Has there ever been an actor with more raw male energy and appeal?  Clark Gable was one of those rare actors who was adored by women and admired by men.  Women wanted to be with him and men wanted to BE him.  Clark Gable started his career as a bit player but it was apparent early on that he was something very special in Hollywood.  MGM put him under contract as one of their only leading men and cast him in everything.  My class was treated to the film "Red Dust" (1932) also starring Jean Harlow, Gene Raymond and Mary Astor.  This is a delightful film with lots of chemistry between Gable and Harlow (who was quite a comedian.)  Gable is Gable in this film but somehow that does not bother me.  He brings an energy and passion to his roles, whether he is a plantation owner, gangster, ladies man, gambler, or just a plain old guy, that entreats you to watch.  His character portrayals are vivid and lasting.  His sex appeal is legendary and stands the test of time.  Unfortunately, he died relatively young (59 years old) but he left behind a body of work that is unforgettable. 

Classic Actors Class #2 - A Surprise Choice

Fred MacMurray

1908-1991

"I was lucky enough to make four pictures with Barbara (Stanwyck). In the first I turned her in, in the second I killed her, in the third I left her for another woman and in the fourth I pushed her over a waterfall. The one thing all these pictures had in common was that I fell in love with Barbara Stanwyck -- and I did, too."

Fred MacMurray is probably best remembered as the mild-mannered father on television's hit show, "My Three Sons" that aired in the 1960's, however, he had a storied career in film.  His rugged good looks, as evidenced above, surely helped him to land parts.  His most famous roles were in "Double Indemnity" where he played insurance salesman, Walter Neff, who is conned by the beautiful Barbara Stanwyck, "The Caine Mutiny" where he played the smarmy Lt. Tom Keefer and "The Apartment" where he played Jack Lemmon's boss, Jeff D. Sheldrake.  Fred MacMurray could be sinister and hard-edged, or funny and lovable.  He would be someone you wanted to know and depending upon the role he was playing, it would either turn out to be a good thing or a very bad thing, indeed.  He played cops, cowboys, businessmen, absent-minded professors and Naval officers in films from 1929 through 1978.  If you have never seen his work, I highly recommend the films mentioned above. His quiet demeanor will disarm you and creep under your skin.  

Classic Actors Film Class: First Up......

James Stewart 

1908-1997

"Well, I think one of the main things that you have to think about when acting in the movies is to try not to make the acting show."

Was there ever, or will there ever be, a more likable actor?  James Stewart had one of the longest careers ever seen in Hollywood.  It lasted for 38 years, starting with films like "The Shopworn Angel" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and ending with his amazing turn in "The Shootist" at the age of 68.  James Stewart is probably best known for his roles as an every day man in films like "It's A Wonderful Life" and "The Philadelphia Story" but he could also play very dark characters such as his roles in the Hitchcock films "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "Vertigo."  James Stewart captured the essence of his characters and showed us how the average man would deal with situations of all kinds.  He could be carefree and loving, hard and conniving, confused and at his wit's end, or cold and downright evil.  Stewart was believable in every role he handled and he truly lived what he said above - his acting did not show - just his unfailing talent.  Oh, and he was also a highly decorated Air Force Officer who commanded bombardier squadrons during WWII, eventually receiving the rank of Brigadier General.  

His body of work is extensive but here is a list of the clips we watched:

"The Shopworn Angel" directed by H.C. Potter, starring Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.  Released in 1938.

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" directed by Frank Capra, starring Stewart, Claude Rains and Jean Arthur.  Released in 1939.

"Destry Rides Again" directed by George Marshall, starring Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Winninger and Brian Donlevy.  Released in 1939.

"The Philadelphia Story" directed by George Cukor, starring Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.  Released in 1940.

"It's A Wonderful Life" directed by Frank Capra, starring Stewart and Donna Reed.  Released in 1947.

"Winchester '73" directed by Anthony Mann.  Released in 1950.

"The Man Who Knew Too Much" directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Stewart and Doris Day.  Released in 1956.

"Vertigo" directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Stewart and Kim Novak.  Released in 1958.

"Anatomy of a Murder" directed by Otto Preminger, starring Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzarra and Arthur O'Connell.  Released in 1959.

"The Shootist" directed by Don Siegel, starring Stewart and John Wayne.  Released in 1976.  

Other recommended films are:  "You Can't Take It With You" "Shop Around The Corner" "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" "The Man From Laramie" "Rear Window" and Stewart's favorite role, "Harvey."  

Moneyball Hits A Home Run

"Moneyball," based on the true story of Billy Beane and his determination to turn the Oakland Athletics into a winning team despite the team's lack of funds, not only hits a home run, it turns a triple play.  Starring Brad Pitt ("Tree of Life" "Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), Jonah Hill ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall" "Cyrus"), and Phillip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote" "Doubt"), with a screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bennett Miller (this is his second feature film - the first was "Capote" - this is guy is talented), the triple play analogy is obvious.  Brad Pitt turns out another impressive acting feat in his interpretation of Billy Beane as a failed athlete who loves the game and wants to contribute however he can.  He takes his competitive drive and uses it to win off the field.  Brad Pitt makes him believable, likable and someone worth rooting for.  Jonah Hill is delightful as Peter Brand, the fresh out of college economics wizard (and baseball statistician with an amazing memory) whom Billy Beane hires as his assistant after listening to him at an opposing team's business office.  Together, Billy and Peter work out a formula for hiring players based solely on the numbers, much to the chagrin of the A's older, established scouts.  The result is well-documented and not a surprise, but you will still love the ride and are on the edge of your seat as you watch the storied team move ever closer to a championship, along with some very impressive records.  "Moneyball" will be added to the list of great baseball films, but even if you are not a fan of the sport, you will be a fan of this film.  It is ordinary people using their extraordinary skills and determination to make something happen and make it happen better than it has in the past.  It's always good to see the underdog win.

Driven Crazy In My Seat

Oh, I wanted to like this movie.  Ryan Gosling ("Blue Valentine" "The Believer" "Lars and The Real Girl") is a fine young actor who has great screen presence.  I feel he will mature into one of the greats but not if he chooses films like this.  "Drive," directed by Nicholas Winding Refn ("Valhalla Rising" and other 'B' type films) and also starring Carey Mulligan ("An Education" "Never Let Me Go") and Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") is an action film with very little action.  It is based on the book of the same name penned by James Sallis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini.  This film takes itself very seriously and takes a very long time with every shot of each character's face.  There is a tremendous amount of starring and gazing and grinning.  Ryan Gosling is a man who makes his living stunt driving, working on cars and being the getaway driver for criminals.  We are never told why he does what he does and therefore there is very little connection with his character.  He falls for his neighbor (a too cute and perky Carey Mulligan) who's husband is in jail.  Things, of course, go terribly wrong when he is released.  The ensuing drive sequences are terrific but they left me flat.  There was no depth to the story other than the long gazes and smiles between Ryan and Carey, which had me squirming in my seat.  Bryan Cranston had the most to say and brought some much needed life to the film but overall the script just did not give enough.  Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, two of our finest young actors, deserve much more to work with than this film could give.

Here are some much better films that I highly recommend:

"Crazy Stupid Love" - also starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Julianne Moore and a very funny Emma Stone.  This film is clever, engaging, surprising, touching and truly funny.

"Contagion" - starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and many other stars. It is a well-written and very well-presented thriller with undertones of being a story told in real time.  It is almost too real at times and you will jump the first time you hear someone cough after it is over but it is a smart film that entertains and informs.

"The Debt" - starring Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Ciaran Hinds, Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington and a wonderful Marton Csokas who stole every scene he was in.  This film has depth, an intricate script and excellent acting.  This is one of the best films of the year so far.