717. A Passage to India

A Passage to India
1984
Directed by David Lean

As we all know, Forster's novels always get straight to the point.  Combined that with Lean's succinctness as a director and you are sure to get an action packed movie.  Honestly, I was surprised this wasn't longer, although three hours is quite long enough.

In the 1920s, Mrs. Moore and her soon to be daughter-in-law Adela travel from England to India.  Once there, they befriend the school superintendent and Dr. Aziz Ahmed, who is initially pleased with the Englishwomen's unprejudiced attitudes.  Of course, that harmony doesn't last long.

I guess the most frustrating aspect of this movie is the character Adela and what drives her actions.  I won't give away anything, but her behavior is incredibly confusing.  I had the strong desire to punch the screen, much like when I saw Atonement for the first time.  I have never read A Passage to India, but I think I would enjoy the book a lot more than I enjoyed the film.  It seems like there would be more room to explore the characters and maybe understand them a little better.  Instead, I was lulled into boredom during the first hour and then completely confused for the rest of the film.  Which is obviously the filmmakers' fault, not mine.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

David Lean was hated by most of the cast and crew.  Alec Guinness never spoke to Lean again.

433. Dr. Zhivago

Dr. Zhivago
1965
Directed by David Lean

First Vinyl, now this; it is like a one two punch of horrible films.  And we had such a good streak going....

So a sappy affair goes on against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and World War I while I slowly die inside.  The plot is obviously a lot more complicated than that and fans of the movie are probably turning over in their graves (I say graves because I don't know anyone alive who likes this film).

I am not one to shy away from romance films (although you might be faced with a hissy fit if you tried to make me watch a Nicholas Sparks movie) but this was a little too much for me even at the best of times.  That's not to say this film is without its merits.  The score and the scenery is beautiful.

There, I played nice.  Just a complete snoozefest.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Panned by critics upon its release though it was popular with the general public.  David Lean swore never to make a film again.

8th highest grossing film of all time.

Peter O'Toole was offered a role in the film but declined because of his poor experience with David Lean in Lawrence of Arabia.  This caused a lifelong rift between the two of them.

Trailer:

387. Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia
1962
Directed by David Lean

I remember when my sister first saw this movie in a film analysis class she said it was the most boring movie of all time and it was a constant struggle to stay awake.  Naturally, I dreaded it and since my sister are pretty much the same person, I hated it too.

I feel like I have been saying that every movie lately is horribly boring.  This makes me seem like I am not easily entertained.  I assure you that is not the case; a rubber pencil can keep me entertained fora half hour.  However, this is another snorefest but at least that is a popular opinion.

This is the story of T. E. Lawrence's life during World War I.  Blah blah blah.  I don't know if it was the length or the subject matter but I fell asleep twice during viewing.  And if I hadn't been watching the time the entire film, I wouldn't have noticed.

That being said, this is a beautiful movie.  You can just see from the above picture how fantastic the colors look in this film.

There, I gave it some praise so I don't completely fail.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

No women in the film have speaking roles.

Movement mostly goes from left to right.

Steven Spielberg's favorite film.

324. Bridge on the River Kwai

Bridge on the River Kwai
1957
Directed by David Lean

Wow.  If there was ever a movie made exclusively for men, it is this one.  I enjoy a lot of movies that were made for a male audience, but this film is my breaking point.  I mean, it is a movie about the construction of a bridge.  I get bored just thinking about it.

I think this film is excessively long and incredibly boring, but there is no denying that is beautiful.  Even the picture I have above shows that the color and the cinematography is just gorgeous.

The Japanese want the captured British soldiers to build a bridge.  They don't want to build the bridge. Oh wait, yes they do.  Oh wait again, now they want to destroy the bridge.

All right, so obviously I am simplifying what some consider to be the greatest film of all time.  In fact, readers who are die hard film buffs are probably convulsing in their seats right now.  Still, I just could not get into this movie; it is not for most women and certainly not for me.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

The bridge cost $250,000.

David Lean almost drowned during filming when he was swept into the river but Geoffrey Horne saved is life.

Alec Guinness was initially hesitant to play the role of the Colonel because the character seemed so dull.  You got that right.

192. Great Expectations

Great Expectations
1946
Directed by David Lean

I cannot even tell you how many times I have started this book and never finished it.  I almost know the beginning by heart, having started it over so many times.  I hate Charles Dickens but I own his complete works.  Why?  No idea.

Well, anyway, I didn't have high hopes for this film.  However, instead of focusing on the dull parts that Dickens focused on, David Lean instead highlighted the more gothic elements of the book.  Also, this movie has Obi Wan Kenobi.  Can it get any better than that?

All right, so there is still a slight trademark boring element that is essential for any Dickens adaptation (except perhaps Oliver and Company).  It wasn't as bad as it could have been, though.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Good story for unrequited love.

Alec Guiness' first speaking role in films.

183. Brief Encounter

Brief Encounter
1946
Directed by David Lean
 
I recently saw the Noel Coward play, Private Lives, superbly performed at a charming little theater in the city.  The knowledge that this screenplay was written by Coward made me more eager to revisit this movie, having seen it several years ago.


This film is about a bored middle aged housewife who falls in love with a man that she knows she can never have.  There are theories that this was autobiographical, since homosexuality was not accepted when Noel Coward lived.  It must of been so hard to not be with the person he loved, and that pain I think is reflected in this movie.


For some reason I always enjoy movies where the character is unhappy with their current boring existence.  I have no idea why; perhaps it is because I can empathize.  I also like that the characters in this movie are not particularly glamorous or beautiful; they are just completely ordinary and relatable.  A really interesting film that deserves repeated viewings.

RATING: ****-


Interesting Facts:


The film was banned in Ireland for showing an adulterer in a positive light.


The scene when Alec tries to use his friend's apartment inspired Billy Wilder to write The Apartment.


Scenes had to be filmed at Canforth station to avoid air raids.