317. An Affair To Remember

An Affair To Remember
1957
Directed by Leo McCarey

I was so frustrated when I first watched this film that I declared I hated it.  The entire plot centers on a misunderstanding which is so annoying to watch as a viewer that it ruined the whole experience for me.  I feel the same way about Broadcast News, but that is a long way down the road.

For now, we have this romance, which admittedly, has a great start and lots of chemistry.  In fact, this movie made me want to try pink champagne, though I still haven't done that yet.  Two people fall in love on a boat and make a pact: if they still feel the same way in six months, they will meet atop the Empire State building and make out in a weird way that looks as if Cary Grant is trying to swallow her whole.  I wouldn't complain though.

Of course, there are obstacles.  Obstacles that have easy solutions but of course, for the sake of the story, everyone has to fuck everything up.  Maybe this is a sign I get too into movies; I get upset just thinking of this.  Overall, just a frustrating movie, all for a lukewarm romance.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Remake: Sleepless in Seattle.

Has many improvised scenes.

111. The Awful Truth

The Awful Truth
Directed by Leo McCarey
1937

I had seen this one a long time ago but I decided to watch it again to refresh myself.  It is a good movie to watch again because the jokes are so fast that you will surely miss a few the first time.

Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors of all time.  We had seen him previously in She Done Him Wrong but he was more of an object to listen to Mae West's one liners than a real character.  In this movie he plays the husband of a couple that begins to get a divorce on unfounded suspicions.  They still love each other so they do their best to ruin the other's potential romances.  It is one of those witty and quick films that can only be delivered by the likes of Powell and Loy, Dunne and Grant, or Bogart and Bacall.  I can't even picture my favorite current actors pulling off a movie of this caliber.

As you probably guessed, I really enjoyed this film.  I am going to miss 30s comedies.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The dog in this movie also starred in The Thin Man series.  I knew it!

The movie was mostly improvised by the cast and McCarey during filming.

Won Best Director.

Best moments:

109. Make Way For Tomorrow

Make Way For Tomorrow
1937

I have been watching some really boring movies lately.  I watched Ben-Hur yesterday, A Christmas Story this morning, and The Deer Hunter last night (the latter was actually pretty enjoyable but a bit too long).  This movie was just purely depressing.  My grandfather died a month ago and this film reminded me strongly of him.

The film centers around an elderly couple who are forced to move in with their middle aged children.  The problem is, the couple must be separated into two different families in order to be convenient for the children.  The couple is extremely obnoxious to their relatives.  However, the film does not takes side or makes you hate anyone for what happens.

So, like I said, this movie is really sad.  The acting and directing were great but at the end of the day, I wished I hadn't seen it.  Way too depressing.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The elderly husband and wife were only 61 and 49. 

Leo McCarey, the director, won the Best Director Oscar for The Awful Truth.  He said repeatedly that he won the Oscar for the wrong film.

75. Duck Soup

Duck Soup
1933

My dad and I were playing Scene It once and the tie breaker was movies with an animal name in the title.  Of course, this went on for about forty five minutes.  The Marx Brothers really helped me out that day...

Not funny at all. Really just antifunny actually.  The jokes are as old as the hills.  I guess this just shows how genius the Marx Brothers really were though because of how much they have been copied.  This, however, doesn't make for an interesting watch and I was thoroughly bored for most of it.  The musical number at the end warranted a chuckle though because of all the musicals we have been seeing lately.  I guess if you really want to study the history of comedy in cinema this is a must watch but otherwise avoid at all costs (like I do with Monty Python).

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

I am going to spare you from hearing the explanation for the movie's title.  The joke is so bad!!

#60 in AFI's top 100 movie list.

Mussolini banned this film because he thought it was attacking him.  The Marx Brothers were ecstatic.