Change Your Image
mll1-2
Reviews
Lloyds of London (1936)
Curse You Tyrone Power!
OK, so here's the deal, this movie ruined my life. How can such a thing be? Well, listen up: At the age of five (or thereabouts) I watched this movie on television. I fell in love with Ms. Carroll. Her golden-ringletted cloying prettiness was perfectly suited to a five-year-old's notion of female beauty. She was married to Mr. Saunders, who dressed REALLY well, spoke beautifully, was rich and was exceptionally urbane. Naturally, she didn't care for him. She was in love with Mr. Powers, who was, frankly, breathtakingly beautiful -- much more beautiful than Ms. Carroll at her best.
But I digress. Anyway, my five year old brain decides, "In order to win M.C., you have to look like T.P." Well, it's been over 50 years and I'm STILL WAITING to be as handsome as Mr. Power (probably NOT going to happen -- what's your guess?). So, here I am in (advanced) middle age, still functioning under the delusion that you have to look like Mr. Power in order to secure the attentions of the lady of your dreams. How messed up is THAT?
Silliness aside, the movie is thin on (rational) plot but long on star-magic. Enjoy Mr. Power and Ms. Carroll at their loveliest and Mr. Saunders at his most vile. The rest of the flic is just and excuse to watch them dress up in period costumes.
Big Eden (2000)
A Charming Fantasy
If you're looking for a slice-of-life or are of the mindset that romance (in it's broadest meaning) needs to be founded in logic, you'll probably want to pass on this charming little movie.
For me, the film is an enchanting little fantasy. It creates its own little world -- granted it's a world that has nothing to do with the one you and I live in, but does it have to? Isn't an idealized world a viable option -- at least for a couple of hours? Can't we have a place where our imagination can live for a little while? If the two "lovers" in the movie were male and female, I don't think the comments on the absence of reality would be quite so common. We allow our hetero romantic comedies to be unrealistic and just chalk it up to the genre. Let's do the same with our gay-themed romances.
Of course part of the problem may lie in the fact that all the tried-and-true gay clichés aren't featured in Big Eden: there are no hot. hunky, hardbody prettyboys -- in fact the two gay leads are soft, pudgy and on the "homespun" side; the two gay characters don't dress well; they don't dance well; only one can cook; neither can decorate; there wasn't one song by Madonna, reference to Judy or snippet from a Bette Davis movie; nobody gets rutting naked; lust is tentative and sweet. Geez, these guys would probably have lost their Gay Cards years ago -- except that one may be the most evolved self-loathing gay ever and the other is one of the biggest closet cases ever (if he could figure out how to lumber into the closet in the first place).
So, all this silliness notwithstanding, what makes this movie such a charming fantasy? Well, imagine a town where everyone is nice and well intentioned. Imagine a town where no one seems to have to work for a living. Imagine a place where love refers not to ripping off clothes and getting it on, but to essential relationships between people, regardless of gender. Imagine a place where people are accepted -- and loved -- for who and what they are. Just imagine.
If you can watch a movie musical and not wonder why all those people are suddenly signing and dancing, you can probably suspend your credulity long enough to relish the time you spend in Big Eden. I plan to go back soon.
Romanoff and Juliet (1961)
Sweet Satire
The entire film has almost a fairy-tale quality about it -- from the cinematography to the haunting score. But the fairy-tale has barbs and they are no less effective for being co-mingled with a charming and sweet love story. The story is proof that satire can be every bit as effective when presented with grace and wit as when it relies on the more traditional, caustic approach.
Peter Ustinov is a delight as the urbane, romantic and slightly naughty head of state. As many here have noted, his travels between the US and USSR Embasays is a masterpiece -- many contemporary comedians could learn much from his outrageously subtle performance. I remember watching Ustinov when he was a guest on the Jack Parr Show (yeah kiddies, dating myself there!). His brilliance was amazing and I've always thought he was one of our most under-utilized talents.
I was tempted to title this little piece, "Finally, a Movie Even Sandra Dee Couldn't Ruin!" but then I thought that was unnecessary unkind -- especially since the limited challenges presented by her part fit her skills perfectly. Her male love interest in the flick, John Gavin, although wooden (only partly by design), was so much prettier than Dee -- I can't help wondering if this ever bothered her.
The "Cold War" may be over, but the commentary on diplomacy remains astute, engagingly presented and thoroughly contemporary. Please allow yourself to visit the land of Concordia. It's an enchanting place with an edge to it. You won't be sorry.
Café Metropole (1937)
Vintage Charm
It must be 35 years or so since I saw this film in an "Art House" Theatre. But it still has left one, strong, lingering impression.
There is one scene on the dance floor that took my breath away. Power is wearing a tailcoat and white tie. Young is in a satin floor length gown that clung to even inch of her elegant form. They were dancing like a young god and goddess.
I remember thinking, "At that moment in time, they had to be the two most beautiful people on the face of the earth." I recall nothing else about the film save this moment. But it's quite sufficient.
Sometimes, all it takes is just one scene to leave an impression that makes the memory of a film vivid for decades. In an era when class and style are neither appreciated, celebrated or understood, a film like this is a reminder of these words mean -- or at least meant.