karenchurn Reviews

Count Your Blessings (1959)

Okay movie

[5/10 · 22 December 2011]

There are two things that were really good about this movie: Deborah Kerr was in it and her wardrobe was absolutely stunning. I wasn't all that impressed with Rossano Brazzi. In the first scene, he came across as pompous and arrogant, but I did warm up a tad by the end of the film. Maurice Chavalier always seems to be playing himself in films which is okay because I really enjoy just listening to him talk. Martin Stephens was adorable, but I couldn't shake the image of him saying "Miss Giddons dear" as Myles in "The Innocents". I'll bet that he nor Deborah Kerr could have imagined that they would engage in one of the most inappropriate and creepy kisses in movie history just a few years later.

The plot was one that was hard to believe, but, look, movies are supposed to entertain. If they were true to life, we probably wouldn't watch them because there would be no escaping real life. This movie had some fun elements that made me laugh out loud a couple of times. Grace's reaction the morning after meeting Charles' "friend", Albertine, had me howling as well as Charles' reaction the Grace's handmade rug.

Someone wrote about the lack of chemistry between the two leads and I would have to agree with that to a certain degree. Both were very attractive, but together, their chemistry seemed forced. But you could attribute it to the fact that the characters really didn't know each other at all and the awkwardness comes from that.

I really watched this movie for Deborah Kerr and, in that regard, it was worth the effort. She was luminous in everything she did--just so beautiful and graceful. What this film didn't give her in content, the wardrobe department certainly made up for it. The evening gowns were absolutely spectacular and she wore them beautifully. I'm a die hard fan and would watch her read the newspaper if that's all that was available.

All in all, this movie was an okay way to kill 90 minutes.

Please Believe Me (1950)

Cute movie!

[6/10 · 9 December 2011]

I watched this last night and I have to say that it was a fun way to spend 90 minutes. The storyline was zany and I thought that the actors did a good job with what they had to work with. Of course, Deborah Kerr, the reason I even watched this, was lovely and fun to watch. It shows that she was having a good time with this role. Some of her amused facial expressions seemed absolutely genuine. The three men in hot pursuit of Miss Kirbe were amusing and easy on the eyes. James Whitmore is the one who really stood out for me. There was one moment with him that just tickled me to no end. I thought that he looked like a funnier version of Spencer Tracy.

This was #40 in my quest to view all of Deborah Kerr movies and I found it worth the effort. It was nice to see her in a comedy even if it was lightweight. It still confirms that she never phoned in a performance even if the role wasn't "Oscar worthy". This is one that I'm sure that I will watch again.

Prudence and the Pill (1968)

Cute Movie

[12 October 2011]

I remember seeing this movie as a teen in the 80s, but had forgotten all of the particulars except for the fact that Deborah Kerr looked absolutely stunning and wore some great clothes. I had an opportunity to see it again recently and enjoyed the ride. This wasn't a Deborah Kerr film per se, but rather, an ensemble. David Niven was absolutely hysterical in the film. Some of the funniest scenes were of him up to shenanigans. The scene in the drug store getting aspirin was absolutely classic. Deborah Kerr, the reason I wanted to watch this movie, wasn't her usual genteel self, but I liked seeing her b!tchy side and the verbal sparring that went on between her and David Niven. All of the other characters were fun as well. This is a fun 60s romp with very little depth, but was entertaining enough to hold my interest until the end.