Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Released: 2017
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''I have loved you for the last time
Is it a video? Is it a video?
I have touched you for the last time
Is it a video? Is it a video?
For the love, for laughter, I flew up to your arms
Is it a video? Is it a video?...''- ''Visions of Gideon'' (Sufjan Stevens)
Watching ''Call Me By Your Name'' I was haunted by the very same fear that bothers the protagonist, Elio (Timothée Chalamet), throughout the film: the fear of an inevitable parting, the fear of losing a loved one. What he goes through is so much more than a passing infatuation: it is the kind of love that one discovers only if they are lucky enough. As Chalamet mentioned in an interview, ''Call Me By Your Name'' does not focus on the social stigmas and taboos surrounding homosexuality; instead, it is a celebration of love for what it is.
The story takes place over the course of a single summer. Elio lives with his parents in Italy. His life is fairly monotonous until his father employs Oliver (played by Armie Hammer), a graduate student, as his research assistant. Oliver moves in with Elio's family. Elio is attracted to him and at the same times finds him slightly rude. Over the course of time, however, he finds himself falling for Oliver and when he- indirectly- confesses his feelings to Oliver, the latter is initially reluctant to respond because of the stigmas surrounding homosexuality, bet eventually they start a relationship. While their love each other gets deeper with the passage of time as they share adventures and beautiful moments, they are constantly haunted by the knowledge that this is not going to last forever.
''Call Me By Your Name'' is such a deeply moving film, such a sublimely beautiful love story. The chemistry between Elio and Oliver is developed so beautifully, with such care that we start living the story with them. And Timothée Chalamet, oh Timothée Chalamet, he delivers such an extraordinarily powerful performance, I am more than sure that he will receive an Oscar nomination for his role in this film. He brings Elio to life, making it possible for us to feel his longing, his fears, his love for Oliver. Armie Hammer is powerful in his role as Oliver. Michael Stuhlberg, playing Elio's supportive and understanding father, is brilliant as well. I also liked the performance by Esther Garrel, who, although playing a rather minor supporting role, shares an emotionally overwhelming scene with Chalamet near the end of the film.
''Call Me By Your Name'' is indeed a rare masterpiece, a simple yet breathtakingly beautiful film. The film left me shaken and in tears and I pondered several questions. Why do people come to our lives if they are not destined to stay there forever? Is it just how life works? Is it more important to just cherish the present, the beautiful moments that we spend together? These are questions that have always haunted me and this film provoked them in me all over again.
I will finish this review quoting a few lines from the song ''Visions of Gideon''- which plays a very important role in this film, reflecting Elio's longing for Oliver. I started the review with these lines and this is exactly how I will end it.
''I have loved you for the last time
Is it a video? Is it a video?
I have touched you for the last time
Is it a video? Is it a video?...''
The Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon is being hosted by The Wonderful World of Cinema, and the film that I have reviewed for the blogathon is Mogambo.
Directed by: John Ford
Released: 1953
Country: United States
Genre: Adventure, Romantic drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Victor Marswell (played by Clark Gable) is a hunter working in Kenya. When a false promise by an Indian maharajah lands the lively Eloise Kelly (played by Ava Gardner) in Kenya, Victor initially doesn't take her seriously but over the course of time he comes to appreciate her. Donald Nordley (played by Donald Sinden), an anthropologist and his wife Linda (played by Grace Kelly) arrive (they are there for Donald's work, he hopes to study certain traits of gorillas there). Linda is sophisticated, simple and sensitive, completely different from Kelly. While it is evident that Victor loves Kelly, he finds himself falling in love with Linda as well. Thus starts a love triangle in the middle of wildness and jungles, wild animals and dangers. Over the course of the film we get to know more about the three main characters and realize that they are, in one way or another, looking for fulfillment.
''Mogambo'' is a really good film. I really liked the way the characters were gradually developed, the way their emotions and feelings for each other was portrayed. Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly are brilliant in their roles, and the setting (that includes exotic jungles and wild animals) is simply great.
The Joan Fontaine Centenary Blogathon is being hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and The Wonderful World of Cinema. The film that I have reviewed for the blogathon is Jane Eyre.
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
Released: 1943
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama, Mystery
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Charlotte Brontë's ''Jane Eyre'' happens to be my favorite novel of all time. I have loved the novel since I was eleven years old. And I LOVED this adaptation. Starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine, it is such an atmospheric, well-acted and well-directed film.
Jane Eyre is an orphan who lives with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and is treated cruelly by her relatives. Mrs Reed sends Jane to Lowood, a boarding school. Harsh conditions prevail in Lowood. Jane completes her education there, staying there for ten years. She then finds a job as a governess at a mansion called Thornfield Hall. Over the course of time she becomes really attached to Thornfield Hall and her student, Adele, and also starts feeling attracted to Edward Rochester, her moody employer who hides a tender heart beneath his rough exterior. Mr Rochester, however, is hiding dark secrets and Thornfield Hall itself guards secrets and mysteries...
''Jane Eyre'' is such a great film! I loved the Gothic atmosphere prevailing throughout the film! Thornfield Hall was portrayed just the way Bronte had meant it to be: a mysterious, shady manor. Jane and Mr. Rochester were brought to life and fleshed out. Their chemistry is beautifully developed and believable. Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles are excellent in their roles, playing two lost souls with sheer perfection. Margaret O'Brien (playing Adele) also delivers an excellent performance and (surprise!) a young Elizabeth Taylor also appears in this film, playing Jane's childhood friend, Helen.
I loved the screenplay as well. It does take liberties with the source material but I had no problem with it. The changes it makes are tender and well-crafted and I really liked them. It is an adaptation, after all, and these subtle changes are something that, in my opinion, we should welcome in adaptations. There are adaptations in which certain alterations seem odd because they drift too far from the plot- sometimes even ruining the overall story- and I, of course, don't support them. But when it comes to the alterations that this film makes, they are well-balanced and appreciable.
I loved ''Jane Eyre''. I loved the Gothic atmosphere, the chemistry between Jane and Mr. Rochester, the performances by Fontaine and Welles, the beautiful cinematography and the screenplay.
Directed by: Preston Sturges
Released: 1941
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Lady Eve'' stars Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck plays a con artist, Jean Harrington. She works with her father to swindle money from wealthy people in various ways, particularly through tricks in card games. Jean and her father decide to make a wealthy young man- Charles Pike (played by Henry Fonda)- their victim. Charles is an ophidologist who is on his way back to the United States from South America, where he had been researching about snakes. Although she initially aims to trick Charles, Jean finds herself falling in love with him and feels guilty for what her intentions have been. Charles also falls in love with her but once she gets to know about Jean's real identity, he breaks their relationship. Several months later, Jean decides to take revenge on Charles for having ended their relationship and assumes the (fake) identity of the aristocratic Lady Eve to perplex Charles. What will this lead to?
''The Lady Eve'' is a fast-paced, highly entertaining screwball comedy. Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda deliver excellent performances. Memorable supporting characters are played by Charles Coburn (as Jean's father) and William Demarest (who plays Charles' valet). The film is an absolute delight from the beginning to the end. It is very funny- although never goofy (I really like goofy comedies too, though)- and a very intelligent comedy. The romance, too, is well balanced and very sweet. I really enjoyed it.
Directed by: Ang Lee
Released: 2005
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama, Western
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) first meet in the 1950s, when they take jobs as shepherds in the mountains of Wyoming. Eventually, they find themselves falling in love with each other and begin a relationship. However, they have to part once the summer is over. Ennis marries Alma (played by Michelle Williams) while Jack marries Lureen (played by Anne Hathaway), the daughter of a well-off businessman. Several years pass, Ennis and Jack both are settled in their lives and then they decide to reconnect. In an era when social attitude to homosexuality is mostly negative- and also because they both have families- they try their best to keep their relationship a secret, but this relationship goes on to impact the lives of themselves and those of the people around them.
''Brokeback Mountain'' is such a breathtakingly beautiful film. The chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal is perfect and extremely touching. The film explores the various complexities of human relationship and human nature. Ennis and Jack love each other but they cannot reveal that to anybody- partly because of the society's attitude to homosexuality, partly because they have families. Alma- Ennis' wife- has no fault but she feels emotionally shaken when she comes to know that her husband is carrying on a relationship with another man- and it is natural for her; she cannot be blamed in this case. Nor can Ennis be blamed. This is where life has brought them to. This is just how complicated human nature is. Or perhaps it is not the people involved who are wrong- but it is the society that is to be blamed here? Would Jack and Ennis have to go through so much trouble in the first place had the society not been so intolerant? Couldn't they continue their relationship, instead of getting married? They would have been so much happier had it not been for the society. Ultimately, their relationship- and repressed feelings- made them suffer and made their families suffer- because nobody can ever be happy leading a double life.
The screenplay is excellent, the performances (particularly those of Ledger, Gyllenhaal, Williams and Hathaway) are great and the cinematography is beautiful. ''Brokeback Mountain'' is a heartbreaking, emotionally overwhelming and deeply beautiful film.
Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1939
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
''Wuthering Heights'' has been one of my favorite novels ever since I first read it back in 2010. I was indeed aware of the fact that the 1939 film adaptation omits a lot of things from the book- it excludes the entire second half of the book, for example- I loved this film. It was so hauntingly poetic and atmospheric. It retained the Gothic atmosphere of the book perfectly and although not entirely faithful to the novel, it is a great film in its own right.
When Mr. Lockwood (Miles Mander) has to spend a stormy night in the house of his landlord, Mr. Heathcliff (Lawrence Olivier), he encounters strange, eerie things, such as the voice of a woman coming from the moors. Mr. Lockwood is perplexed. The elderly housekeeper, Ellen Dean (Flora Robson) explains to him the mysteries of the house, Wuthering Heights.
Decades ago, Wuthering Heights used to be a happy house. It was owned by the Earnshaws. The family consisted of the loving Mr. Earnshaw and his two children, Hindley and Catherine (Cathy). On a trip to Liverpool, Mr. Earnshaw came across an abandoned boy and brought him to Wuthering Heights. He was named Heathcliff and Mr. Earnshaw started raising him as a son. Cathy and Heathcliff soon became great friends. However, Hindley was greatly jealous of Heathcliff. After Mr. Earnshaw's death, Hindley- now the owner of Wuthering Heights- turned Heathcliff into a stable boy, neglecting and humiliating him. Several years passed, Heathcliff (played by Laurence Olivier) and Cathy (played by Merle Oberon) were still very close and love each other deeply. However, when Cathy came across the handsome, wealthy Edgar Linton (played by David Niven), she decided to marry him, primarily for his wealth and social status. She wanted the best for Heathcliff, but also knew that she would never be able to acquire the social life and wealth she wanted for herself if she married Heathcliff. Hearing this, Heathcliff left Wuthering Heights, and although Cathy initially was heartbroken, she moved on and married Edgar, but some years later, Heathcliff returned. Now a wealthy man, he had other intentions in his mind as well.
There is no doubt in the fact that the film is not very faithful to the novel. While the novel has a lot of focus on Heathcliff's vengeful attitude and how it destroys everyone around him, the film focuses more on the relationship between Heathcliff and Cathy and I was completely fine with that. After all, I cannot possibly have an opinion about a film on the basis of how faithful it is to its source material. I am supposed to have an opinion based on how perfectly the film works. When it comes to that, this film is simply great.
I loved the atmosphere. Consider the scenes in which Heathcliff and Cathy meet on the Penistone Crags. They are just so beautiful, so very poetic. I really fell in love with those scenes. I loved their conversations. Or consider the scene in which Cathy expresses to Ellen how much she loves Heathcliff and utters the famous line- ''I am Heathcliff''. There is a storm outside and as Cathy is standing beside a window, a lightning flashes on her face. There are so many poetically atmospheric scenes throughout the film that it was just impossible on my part not to love it. The film is made more poetic by the beautiful black-and-white cinematography: I don't think color cinematography could ever be this poetic.
When it comes to the performances, they are great. Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon are great in their roles. David Niven, Geraldine Fitzgerald (playing Edgar's sister, Isabella), Flora Robson and Hugh Williams (playing the adult Hindley) are excellent as well. (I just noticed something: the physician, Dr. Kenneth, is played by Donald Crisp, the same man who played the villain in ''Broken Blossoms''!).
''Wuthering Heights'' is a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric film. It will be injustice if it is compared to the original novel because, while the novel is one of the greatest works in English literature, the 1939 film adaptation is a great film in its own right, no matter how different it is from its source material.
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1955
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Billy Wilder's ''The Seven Year Itch'' starts with the narrator describing a practice among the native Americans living in Manhattan centuries ago. When summer came, they would send their wives and children to colder and comfortable places, while they would stay behind for their work. However, once their wives would go away, many of the men would become smitten by beautiful women. The narrator then tells us that the film has nothing to do with native Americans, but that the story would be set in the modern day Manhattan.
The narrator implies that nothing much has changed in men in the present day Manhattan. Our narrator, Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell) is a middle-aged man working for a publishing company. As it is summer, he sends his wife and son to Maine, but stays behind for his work. He tries his best not to feel attracted to women and not to smoke, but when a beautiful young woman (Marilyn Monroe) moves to an apartment in the same building, his determination is tested and he must now try his best not to become attracted to her.
''The Seven Year Itch'' is a very funny film. Richard is pretty paranoid and often expects the worst. His imaginations and fantasies are hilarious. There are scenes in which he imagines his attraction to his neighbor will be publicly revealed and he imagines hilarious consequences. The kind of background music heard in those scenes are music you would expect in a serious drama film or even, at times, in a thriller film. However, the film is not even close to being a serious drama: the film is very lighthearted. The background music reflects Richard's paranoia and it makes everything way more hilarious.
Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe are both wonderful in their roles. Monroe is charming and cute as the innocent neighbor Ewell is great in his role and the scenes in which his character talks to himself, imagining the consequences that can come if his attraction to his neighbor is publicly revealed, are hilarious.
''The Seven Year Itch'' is a very entertaining and amusing film. A Billy Wilder film has, till now, never disappointed me.
Directed by: George Cukor
Released: 1949
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
In ''Adam's Rib'', Adam (played by Spencer Tracy) and Amanda (Katherine Hepburn) are a married couple. Both of them are lawyers. Amanda strictly believes that women should have the same opportunity as men in every sector. She thinks that when it comes to law, women often don't get the same verdict that men do. When a case arises in which a woman, Doris Attinger (played by Judy Holliday) shot her husband when she discovered that the latter was having an affair, Adam has been given the task of prosecuting the case. Doris's husband (played by Tom Ewell) was only wounded, but charges have been brought against Doris for attempted murder. Amanda knows that Doris never attempted kill her husband or his lover, that this happened because Doris only wanted to frighten the two of them, and that Doris, having never intended to cause anything dangerous, deserves sympathy from the jury. Amanda decides to defend Doris in this case and she fights against her husband in the courtroom, where a hilarious situation ensues.
The film shifts between pure comedy, romance and at times drama. The relationship between Adam and Amanda is really sweet. (The method which they implement to mock and tease each other while the hearings go on is really hilarious.) There is also a lot of comedy, both in the courtroom and in the house of Adam and Amanda. The case creates a tension in the relationship between Adam and Amanda, but even this is presented very funnily. Judy Holliday makes Doris a rather cute and funny character.
Although ''Adam's Rib'' is a very funny film, it can also be very thought-provoking at times. I really applauded for Amanda because of her strong belief that everybody should be equal in the eyes of law. Women should get the same justice that a man gets. In a particular scene in the film, Amanda asks the court to imagine Doris as a man and her husband as a woman. She knows that the jury would be more sympathetic to a man in such a circumstance and asks the court whether Doris would have been viewed with more sympathy had she been a man. Why should this inequality exists, she wonders. She believes that the time has come for women to be treated the way a man is treated. I completely agreed with her.
I really liked this film. I liked the concept, laughed at the comedy, liked the romance, and found the chemistry between Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy really nice.
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Released: 2013
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''Before Midnight'' is the final film in the lovely ''Before'' trilogy and after I finished watching it, I could feel that I had just finished watching a beautifully sophisticated trilogy of films.
Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) are the protagonists of the ''Before'' trilogy. The events of ''Before Midnight'' take place nine years after those of ''Before Sunset''. Jesse and Celine are now in their early forties. They are vacationing in Greece with their twin daughters and Jesse's son from a previous marriage (the son leaves for the United States early in the movie as he stays there with his mother). Over the course of a single day tension and conflicts arise between Jesse and Celine about different things. Celine thinks that Jesse makes her feel guilty, that Jesse wants her to leave her career behind and accompany him to the United States so that he can be near his son. This gives rise to a series of arguments.
The ''Before'' trilogy can be summed up in two words: simple and beautiful. The romance in the trilogy is sublime. It is never sappy. The chemistry between Celine and Jesse is very believable. Their conflicts never feel overdone. It is strange how we first met the two characters in ''Before Sunrise'' and spent a few hours with them in Vienna- but these few hours were so very beautiful that we could not but love the two of them. And then in ''Before Sunset'' we met them again and although we spent fewer hours with them there, it was such a joy! ''Before Midnight'' gives us a glimpse into their life after their marriage. Their lives are not perfect, they have conflicts and quarrels, but their chemistry is strong all the way through. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are, once again, excellent in their roles. ''Before Midnight'' is a very satisfying conclusion to the lovely trilogy.
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1959
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy, Romantic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I might say this every time I review a Billy Wilder film but it is such a delight watching his films! ''Some Like It Hot'' is a hilarious film: it is wacky and funny and it can also be, at the same time, very romantic.
''Some Like It Hot'' tells the story of two friends, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) who are jazz players working in Chicago. After, for some reasons, they find themselves unemployed, they start looking for jobs, but the only job that is available requires only girls: it is a post in an all-girls' band. However, when Joe and Jerry accidentally witness a murder by a gang, they decide that they should leave the city as soon as possible as the gang, having seen them, is looking for them (they had managed to escape). They get an idea: disguising themselves as two girls- Joe calling himself Josephine and Jerry calling himself Daphne- they join the all-girls' band. The band is headed to Florida. Doing this, they secure for themselves not only jobs but also an opportunity to get out of the city. On the train, they become friends with a beautiful member of the band, Sugar- played by Marilyn Monroe. Sugar- who keeps saying that she is not very ''bright''- intends to marry a millionaire. Both men are attracted to Sugar (who does not know that they are actually men) and as soon as they reach Florida, hilarious, wacky things start happening.
The film was very funny, very funny indeed! From the time Joe and Jerry got on the train, there were very few moments in which I did not laugh! It kept me laughing, it did! There are so many funny things happening in the film concerning disguised identities, a very rich man having a yacht, a man disguising himself twice, and so many other things!
The performances by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon were very impressive. Marilyn Monroe was wonderful as well; I loved her performance so much! She portrays Sugar as coquettish, charmingly innocent (she is talking to someone pretending to be a ''rich man'', and the man asks her if she plays the stock market, and she replies that she plays the ukulele) and very romantic. Her character is so very sweet and memorable. And then there is Joe E. Brown, playing a very interesting and hilarious character indeed. It is Brown's character that says the last dialogue in the film, and this quote remains an iconic quote in film history.
Excellently directed, written and acted, ''Some Like It Hot'' is a very, very funny film!
Directed by: Bill Condon
Released: 2017
Country: United States
Genre: Musical, Romantic, Fantasy, Drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
It is love that triumphs in the long run and this is the underlying message of ''Beauty and the Beast''. Here is a story that I have loved and treasured since my childhood, and this beautiful remake made me not just nostalgic but it also charmed and amazed me with its powerful, strong message dealing with the victory of love.
The film is, of course, a remake of the 1991 animated film of the same name. Along with ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarves'', ''Cinderella'', ''The Little Mermaid'' and ''Pinocchio'', ''Beauty and the Beast'' is one of the films I grew up with. As such, I had been eagerly waiting for this remake. And I was not disappointed. It is a charming and beautiful film.
The story is that of an arrogant, narcissistic prince, played by Dan Stevens. When one evening, during a party, he misbehaves with a frail, old woman who appears in his palace, the old woman turns out to be an enchantress, who transforms the prince into a monstrous beast and the members of his household are transformed into household objects- like clocks and pots- that can talk. The enchantress also wipes the memories of all those living around the palace, making them forget the existence of the prince and his palace. She leaves with the prince a rose: when the last petal of the rose has fallen, the prince will remain a beast forever- unless he finds true love before the last petal falls.
Several years later, when the beautiful Belle- played by Emma Watson- ends up in the beast's palace after some accidental incidents and the beast imprisons her in his palace- the members of the beast's household think that it is Belle who can break the curse.
The film conveys the message of the power of love really well. The story is exactly the same as that of the 1991 film. There is even a background story about Belle's parents that was absent in the 1991 film. The characters have a lot of depth in them. Emma Watson and Dan Stevens deliver excellent performances. Besides them, Luke Evans, playing the antagonist, Gaston, is amazing too. The supporting cast is extremely impressive as well: Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, and Josh Gad.
Every single thing in the film is reminiscent of the animated film we love and cherish. The music and the songs transport us back to the 1991 film. Of course, this film can never replace the animated film. However, that does not mean, by any means, that this film has to be neglected. The 2017 remake is lovely and enchanting in its own right. No, it is not as great as the original. Yes, we are aware of the storyline and most of the songs. However, with its brightness and positivity, the film overwhelmed me. Power of love is not just reflected in the chemistry between the Beast and Belle, but also in the chemistry among the different members of the Beast's household, Belle's love for her father and vice versa, and Morris's (Belle's father's) love for his late wife.
Like Belle comments in the middle of the film, the members of the beast's household find a reason to be hopeful and optimistic about even though they are going through sorrows and despair. But in spite of that, their love for life, the sunshine- things they haven't enjoyed since the curse was placed on them- make them retain hope for life, for better days. The film gives us the opportunity to celebrate the power of love all over again.
Directed by: George Stevens
Released: 1951
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
In ''A Place in the Sun'', Montgomery Clift plays the role of George Eastman, a poor relative of the wealthy Charles Eastman (Herbert Heyes), a wealthy industrialist. He is given a job by Charles Eastman in a factory owned by him. Meek and from a poor background, George is intimidated by the upper class lifestyle of the Eastmans and the people they associate with. In the factory, George meets Alice Tripp (played by Shelley Winters), a plain and simple co-worker and finds himself falling in love with her. However, he is soon befriended by Angela Vickers, played by the elegant Elizabeth Taylor, and he finds himself falling in love with her too. Angela, a renowned socialite, introduces George to the upper class society and their relationship gradually deepens. However, when he discovers that he cannot abandon Alice easily- for a reason grave and serious- he becomes confused and ultimately, the situation leads to disastrous consequences.
I started watching the film expecting it to be a simple romantic drama. However, the plot development and turns in the story astounded me. It was heartbreaking and emotionally intense. Monty Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters brought their characters into life. As the protagonist, Monty Clift's performance is extremely powerful. I am not going to get into details as I definitely don't want to spoil anything, but- thanks to the screenplay and Clift's excellent performance- the character develops a great depth over the course of the film. Elizabeth Taylor is magnificent as the glamorous Angela, and the scenes she shares with Clift are truly memorable. However, I think Shelley Winters's performance stands out from the rest because of her character. I felt for her, I felt great sympathy for her character; she was trapped in situation and that is not her fault at all. The scenes by the Loon Lake are atmospheric- the atmosphere being pretty different from that of the rest of the film- and the calls of loon birds make the atmosphere even more haunting.
Ultimately, with its plot and character development, excellent screenplay, and great performances, ''A Place in the Sun'' turns out to be a heartbreaking and emotionally powerful film.
Directed by: Howard Hawkes
Released: 1938
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy, Romantic
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
''Bringing Up Baby'' was such a hilarious ride! It was really funny, sending me into feats of laughter every other minute. I laughed all the way and really admired the film.
''Bringing Up Baby'' is about a paleontologist, Dr David Hoxley (played by Cary Grant), who is about to receive a huge donation for his museum from a very wealthy woman. However, things go wrong during his meeting with the lawyer representing the woman when he comes across the eccentric, happy-go-lucky, carefree Susan Vance (played by Katherine Hepburn), who hilariously distracts him and sways him away from his meeting with the lawyer. But his accidental meeting with Susan leads him to a series of hilarious adventures and misadventures, involving not only him and Susan but also a tame leopard called Baby who was sent to Susan by her brother Mark.
I cannot describe how much the film made me laugh. It was so funny, so hilarious, so goofy. Every single incident in the story, right from the very beginning, sent me into feats of laughter. The screenplay, the dialogues: everything is so excellent, so magnificent. I loved every single thing about the film; I kept laughing out loud. Katherine Hepburn is unforgettable in her goofy role as Susan. It is such a memorable, hilarious character. Cary Grant, as the mild-mannered David, is brilliant too. The two look so sweet together, apart from the hilarity that the two characters cause. There are supporting characters too- quite a lot of them- who remain memorable as well, all contributing to the story. And there is the leopard Baby, played by a trained leopard called Nissa: he too gave such an amazing performance and looked really cute indeed!
This is an excellent screwball comedy that I would highly recommend!
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Released: 2015
Country: United States, United Kingdom
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
''Carol'' is a quietly beautiful film- simple, sublime yet breathtakingly beautiful. It is a film that left me speechless with its simplicity, emotional depth and poetic beauty.
Set in the 1950s, the film stars Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird, a well-off woman who is about to be divorced. She has a little daughter. Rooney Mara, on the other hand, plays Therese, an aspiring photographer working in a department store. When Carol and Therese come across each other- it happens when Carol is looking for a Christmas present for her daughter in the department store Therese works in- they are instantly attracted to each other. As time passes they develop a romantic relationship in an era where homosexuality has little acceptance. However, there is Carol's husband, Herge, who will do whatever it takes to ensure the sole custody of their daughter, and he is ready to accuse Carol of ''immorality'', threatening to expose the fact that she has had homosexual relations.
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both deliver excellent performances, bringing into life both the characters. I particularly admired Rooney Mara's performance. She brought such an emotional depth into the character of Therese that I really loved the character. The chemistry between the two characters is beautiful and extremely touching. From the first moment they meet there is something about the chemistry between the two of them that overwhelmed me, kept me glued to the screen. I loved the way the two of them make each other feel so special. Kyle Chandler is present as Carol's husband Herge, a nasty character that I just loathed. You can never keep a child away from a mother and that is exactly what he tried doing. I really disliked Herge and can find no reason to sympathize with him. Sarah Paulson gives considerable support as Abby, with whom Carol had once had an affair, and although we do not see that much of her, I really appreciated her for the support she provides to both Carol and Therese.
With an excellent screenplay, amazing performances and a story that along its way steadily turns emotionally deep and moving- while retaining its quietness and simplicity all along- 'Carol'' is a film that really touched me with its emotional intensity and two richly developed protagonists.
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Released: 2016
Country: United States
Genre: Musical, Romantic drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
When it comes to dreams, it is hard to chase them and it easy to give them up. It is easy to be swayed by disappointment but when one has a firm determination, one can easily reach that goal and- as we see in ''La La Land''- if there is somebody- just one person- by you when you are chasing your dreams, if there is somebody initiate that light of inspiration in you, that journey becomes easier.
''La La Land'' is the story of Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) and Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling). Mia has a day job as a barista but aspires to be an actress. She left university and came to Los Angeles so that she could land a role in a movie or a TV series. She attends auditions after auditions and is rejected over and over again, but she is still firm in her determination. Sebastian, on the other hand, is a jazz pianist who aspires to keep jazz alive. However, as he does not play according to the conventional methods, he is fired from his job. Over the course of the next few months, he comes across Mia again and again, and as they start falling in love, they inspire each other to follow their dreams. Mia inspires Sebastian to start eventually his own jazz club where he will be able to play the kind of music he loves, and Sebastian inspires Mia to write a play where she will act. But as time passes the collision of reality and dreams happens...
I loved ''La La Land''. I really, really did. From the very beginning of the film there was a sort of lively charm as dreams and reality kept colliding (although not always in a positive way). I loved the songs, the production design, and the score. The screenplay is amazing, and Damien Chazelle does a really good job directing the film. Everything in the film has a vintage, 1950s touch, and had it not been for the mobile phones and modern cars that the characters use, I would have thought it was set in the 1950s.
I loved the very essence of the story, of how we should follow our dreams and how we should not think of what others think or whether others care about what we are doing, but that we should be solely focused on what we are trying to do, and that should be our aim, that should be our dream, and no matter how hard reality might be, we need to focus on our dreams instead of falling prey to the world around us that might cause us to fall prey to competition, to the constant insecurity of what others might think of us and our work.
At the center of the story, of course, there are two lovely characters: Mia and Sebastian. The chemistry between the two of them is heartwarming and beautiful. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling give undoubtedly powerful performances. I think all of us, to an extent, can relate to these two characters as throughout our lives we go through what these two experience throughout the film: powerful dreams and insecurity, intimidated by the competitive world around us that often forces us to forget who we really are and to abandon our dreams as, according to that world, the ''reality'' is so much different than the dreams. But for many of us, our dreams are what we strive to turn into reality, in spite of what those around might feel and might say, and just as Mia and Sebastian were there for each other as they tried following their dreams, we also find a person- or several people- in our lives who become the driving force for us, inspiring us to reach our goal.
4.5 out of 5
Directed by: James Marsh
Released: 2014
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Biographical, Romantic drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Theory of Everything'' is the story of Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his first wife Jane (Felicity Jones). The film spans years and begins when Stephen is a PhD student at Cambridge. He meets Jane, who is a student of languages and could not be more different from him. Eventually, the two very different people fall in love. Its a beautiful, beautiful affair, but things take a different turn when Stephen comes to know that he has motor neuron disease, which will eventually make it impossible for him to talk or walk, and he is expected to live for a maximum of two years. The young Stephen is deterred, he loses all hope, but then in steps Jane. Jane, who deeply loves Stephen, wants him to continue his studies and hard work in spite of his disease. She encourages him, and eventually decides to marry him, to the surprise of everyone. In a very memorable scene in the film, Jane tells Stephen's father that she may seem softhearted but she is strong enough to take care of and encourage the person she loves.
Spanning several years, ''The Theory of Everything'' focuses, firstly, on the relationship between Stephen and Jane. Secondly, the things that Stephen accomplishes one after another, in spite of his serious illness. Thirdly, the problems and complexities that Jane faces over the course of the years. While the film focuses greatly on how Stephen deals with the situation he is in and defying all challenges, continues his hard work and research, the film is also as much about Jane as it is about Stephen. Jane has her own struggles, her own emotional ups and downs, her own challenges. Its a film that deals with the challenges faced by Stephen and Jane: Stephen dealing with his physical and emotional challenges, while Jane, over the years, goes through complexities of her own and faces them bravely. I admired both of them. I admired both Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. They were perfect in their roles. Really.
''The Theory of Everything'' is a deeply moving film: its about the bond between two people who, many years ago, had fallen in love. No, they do not remain the carefree university students that they were in the beginning of the movie. Lots of things change, their lives change. While the romance between the two of them might not have remained constant, their love story is something that might not have always remained the same and many changes came to their lives but the basis of it, their emotional bond and respect for each other, always remained.
4 out of 5
Directed by: John Crowley
Released: 2015
Country: Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters
Genre: Romantic drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
''Brooklyn'' tells the story of Ellis Lacey, a young Irish woman, who leaves her small Irish town for the United States in search of a better life, leaving behind her widowed middle-aged mother and supportive elder sister. Life in New York, at first, feels unfamiliar to Ellis, making it difficult for her to adjust there. She longs for home and her life in the small idyllic town. However, things change when she meets Tony, a handsome young Italian man played by Emory Cohen, at a dance. Falling in love with him, she finds it easier to adjust in her new home, in her new country. She becomes more socially adept, more friendly than before, and on the other hand, her love for Tony flourishes. However, their relationship faces a challenge placed by distance when Ellis suddenly has to go back to Ireland after a dreadful tragedy.
''Brooklyn'' is a charming and sweet film. I enjoyed and loved it from the beginning to the end. The screenplay is excellent and I loved how beautifully it touches the subject matter, making the film a fresh and beautiful one. Romance is such a genre that can become cliched if it is mishandled, but this film avoids the cliches, it is beautiful and thought-provoking, touching and sweet. I find it hard not to mention one particular scene. There is this scene where Ellis and Tony are on a bus, and at one point, they are both smiling, without looking at each other, smiling at life, happy for having met each other. I found this this scene to be one of the most beautiful and charming scenes in the film.
Saoirse Ronan is so wonderful in this film! I have admired her ever since I first saw her in ''Atonement''. Then came films like City of Ember, The Lovely Bones, The Way Back, Hanna and The Grand Budapest Hotel. I loved her in all of these films. But in ''Brooklyn'' she delivers a performance so magnificent that it rivals her own excellent performance in ''Atonement''. As Ellis, she is sweet and strong, expressing all of the emotions of the character with precision and strength. I felt so proud of her in the confrontation scene with Miss Kelly, possibly one of the most important and well-written scenes of the film. Emory Cohen, as Tony, is perfect as well. Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters deliver excellent performances as well.
Excellently acted, directed and written, ''Brooklyn'' is definitely a magnificent and charming film, a lovely love story.
4.5 out of 5
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1954
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy, Drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Sabrina, the protagonist and titular character of the film, is played by Audrey Hepburn. This was her second major film role, the film being released in the year after the great ''Roman Holiday'' was. Directed by Billy Wilder- who also happens to be one of my favorite directors- this is a charming little film, a sweet love triangle, and has extremely funny moments that evoke great laughter.
The film begins when Sabrina is still a teenager. She is the daughter of a chauffeur employed in the household of the Larrabbees, an immensely wealthy family. Linus (Humphrey Bogart) and David (William Holden) are the two sons of the elderly Mr and Mrs Larrabee. Linus is serious, hardworking and workaholic, while David is careless and carefree, having already married and divorced thrice. Sabrina has been infatuated with David since her childhood, and is heartbroken when she finds herself unnoticed, finding her feelings unrequited. Sabrina's father arranges for her to go to Paris and study cooking. Sabrina goes rather unwillingly; however, living in Paris helps her view life with more optimism. She returns several years later, now a polished and sophisticated young lady, and immediately captures David's attention. David falls in love with her, and Sabrina is delighted to find her feelings finally being returned. However, the Larabees are planning a marriage between David and the wealthy Elizabeth Tyson, an association which would be greatly helpful for the family business, and seeing David falling for Sabrina, Linus decides to somehow divert Sabrina's attention from David, but instead finds himself falling for Sabrina, while she, in spite of herself, also finds that she is drawn to Linus.
I really admired the film. I liked the way it remains an interesting love triangle without becoming sappy. Audrey Hepburn's performance is full of emotional depth. At the beginning of the film she is an innocent, immature teenager who feels devastated when her love is unrequited, but when she is older, the character is more mature, more understanding, and though still in love and delighted when David returns her feelings, does not let love fully drive her. Humphrey Bogart, playing a serious middle-aged man who has never fallen in love before, makes the character of Linus believable and interesting. William Holden's character, David, is rather very carefree and careless and so has slightly less depth than the other two major characters. But still, all three of them deliver performances that leave us impressed. The supporting characters are impressive as well. I specially admired the performances by John Williams, who plays Sabrina's father, a person who is deeply concerned observing how his daughter is deeply in love with his employer, and Walter Hampden, who plays David and Linus's elderly father and brings a lot of comic relief in the film! Trust me, Hampden's performance is wonderful!
Besides romance, there is a lot of humor in the film as well. There were quite a few scenes that made me laugh out loud! They really did! While the overall film has a significant amount of emotional depth, the comic reliefs and funny scenes actually make us laugh out loud! The screenplay is excellent, perfectly balancing the tone of the film, making it emotionally deep but at times lighthearted as well.
I know I probably write this thing in every single Billy Wilder film I review but I must write it here as well: the more I watch films by this man, the more I admire him. ''Sabrina'' is a wonderful little film with an excellent screenplay, sufficient emotional depth, humor and comic relief, and very memorable performances.
4 out of 5
