Review: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (movie)

Can I gush? I love, Love, LOVE this movie! I can't pick favorites, but I know this one one of the contenders for my #1 slot.
Tennessee Williams. The basis for this whole thing is his play of the same name. I have a love/hate relationship with his works. I love them because they are so richly written, and I hate them because they are so brutal. When reading his plays I would throw away the book if I wasn't dying to read the next page. Just gorgeous. Now, I know there are a lot of differences between the play and the movie, so you really can't compare too much. There are a couple of things that were not included in the play that I think really should have been - it would have made the movie even better. But there are some things in the movie that I really wish would have been in the play. So it evens out. And it's true, I think I even love this movie more than the play. Yes, I do!
We'll start with the story (remember, this is for the movie, not the play): focuses on Brick and Maggie's relationship. They are married, but they're not exactly on marital terms lately. They have come back to Brick's family home, as well as Brick's brother and his family, for the celebration of Big Daddy's birthday - or at least, that is what they say. Truth is (and that word is used a lot in this movie) that they are there to hear if Big Daddy is dying of cancer or not. I'll stop there. But what really you need to know is that this is a family crisis drama. And it is fabulous!
The music and sound design in this movie are very intense. There is a little bit of the stage play in this movie. At key moments, thunder is sounded, and that gives it a very planned feel. But that doesn't bother me at all for some reason. It's appropriate, and only helps to enhance the feeling of the moment. Aside from that, the score music is so sensuous. It's hot.
As far as other design goes, the settings are perfect. Southern plantation house of a RICH man. I love the obvious white used in Brick and Maggie's room. A subtle hint at their sexual relationship at the moment. I don't know how, but you can just feel the heat. I don't know where all the credit goes to for that, but it is there. The costumes are well done and appropriate, and everything looks like it should be.
Now, acting. Nothing but praise here. Elizabeth Taylor is at her best, in my opinion. She plays the character well with very appropriate switches between her southern belle charming act and the "cat" that she is so aligned with. But that is not all there is to her. There is also sadness, fear, desperation, and love. She is so vivacious and sensual. She's got a certain fire to her performance that so perfectly works. Paul Newman is a contradiction. He sizzles, but he is also so cool. This has to be a signiture role of his. Through most of it he is aloof, cool to the touch, icy, but so calm. He gives the sense of just flowing through his emotions as he downs his liquor. But there are cracks in the character's exterior and he can lash out better than anyone. I know I have said this before - and it still goes. His emotional bursts are so real and so effective. Oh! It just tugs at you. I don't think there is anyone on earth who can do that better. The big surprise of this movie for me was Burl Ives. Now this is probably because I grew up knowing him for his christmas album and his kids songs. But this is completely different. You like and you hate Big Daddy. He is not a nice person - but he is straight forward, and a force of life. Which is funny, considering he is the one most likely to die. He is big and bombastic, and he answers to no one. he is the center of everything, and he owns everything. You may not really like him much, but you have to admire him. And Burl Ives does such a fantastic job. He grabs you and makes you pay attention to him. Judith Anderson as Big Mama is ... well, let me say this, if I could get my hands on any role in the world, I would want to get my hands on this one. Big Mama is a bit of a pathetic character. She's doting and a little annoying, but she's real. There is nothing fake about Big Mama, and she is loyal as they come. You can't understand how she could love Big Daddy after the way he treats her, but you see it in her performance. And if seeing is believing, there you have it. The other two main characters as Gooper and Mae are right on. You don't really like them much at all. I never get to like Mae, but I do get sympathy for Gooper. He has a speech to Big Mama that just tugs at you. They're both brilliant in their roles.
How this film is not more acclaimed than it is, I will never know. It was nominated for several Oscars, but did not recieve any. Apparently, Tennessee Williams did not like the movie at all. This is owning to the fact that the movie is quite a bit toned down from the play. This mainly has to do with the subject of whether or not Brick is homosexual. I'm borderline about that. Considering the time and the film industry, I can see why some of the dialouge was cut, but I also think they were cowards because the play never says that Brick is homosexual - just dances around the situation between Brick and Skipper. In the play Maggie even admits that she knows nothing happened between the two men because Brick is so pure. In that sense, and in the fact that Hollywood was so hush-hush about homosexuality and bisexuality, I say shame on them. But that still doesn't stop me from loving this movie.
If I could go above the 5 star rating I would, but since I can't:
5 out of 5 stars

Movie Reviews: Gunga Din and Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?

Who's Afraid of Viginia Woolf? - I can only say this: What the HELL was that?!?
Can't rate - too bewildered. #67 on AFI's top 100 list (2005). I don't know why. I mean, it's well written, I guess. The story is overpowering everything to me right now, and I just don't get it.

Gunga Din: starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Cary Grant, Victor McLagen, and Sam Jaffe - with very brief moments with Joan Fontaine.

Well this one surprised me. I was expecting a little more of a war epic. What I got was an interesting mix between a comedy and a war film. It is simple enough: Somewhat (sarcasm intended) loosely based on the poem of the same title by Rudyard Kipling, the three leads play buddies in Her Majesty's Army in India. Trouble from a murderous group of Indians known as Thuggee is brewing and they get into the thick of it accidently. (There is a whole lot more to it, but for no spoiler's sake, I will stop there) It begins in more of a comedic, high-jinks in the army kind of way, but it slowly moves into something of an Indian Jones nature, to an all-out battle movie.

Although a little cheesy and not very serious most of the time, it is a delight. I laughed, I worried, I cried a little, it was great. Like I said, it really isn't to be taken too seriously for most of it, but the themes of friendship, honor, service, and glory are all there and present enough. Some of the shots, especially in the temple scenes are quite effective. And whoever played the Thuggee leader deserves praise for his ability to creep me out! Grant is definately in the comic part of his career, prior to becoming the suave, elegant, womanizer we all idolize him as. And he is delightful that way. All three of the leads are quite wonderful.
I was a little surprised by the action, especially in the beginning. It was like something out of the silent age. Everything was sped up. But in the more serious battle moments, they kept it mostly at regular speed, with a few exceptions that accompanied some very interesting camera shots. Particularly one where the camera seemed to be mounted on a spear which was run through one of the Thuggees. But that was about as violent a thing as you ever saw. Which is the way I like it. Leave it to the imagination, we can think up how gruesome it is ourselves.
3 out of 5 stars.

Many Movie Reviews

The Big Street. I wanted to like this movie, I really did. I love Henry Fonda, and I like Lucille Ball, and I love the story of Guys and Dolls, so I figured another by Damon Runyon story would be great. It has a great cast of characters, good acting, and all the other things that make a movie good. But I couldn't get over the horridness of the character played by Lucille Ball. Cudos to Ball for playing the role so well, because I hate that character. I couldn't even find my way to feeling sorry for her. And this coming from the sap who can still feel sorry for Scarlett O'Hara. Fonda's character was well played and well written. You always liked him and you cheered him on no matter what - especially when he walks away from her, if only for just a moment. But he is a sap. It turned out okay (sorta) in the end, but I just can't get over the character.
I'm switching to the star system now instead of recommend of not, because, let's face it, I am the kind of person who will recommend most every movie. So, I give this film a solid 3 stars (out of 5)

A Place in the Sun: This has to be one of the most depressing films I have ever seen. You need to see it because it is a classic (AFI Top 100 lists!), and it is beautiful, but I don't think I ever want to watch it again. But I will - because it is a classic, and it is beautiful. And it is well made.
Basic Plot: A young man (Montgomery Cliff) who is trying desperately to make good in his life goes to work for his uncle's company. The black sheep of the family of that area, he is put into a mediocre job. Despite this, he blossoms by working hard as he has always done. He falls in love - or is it just lust? - with a girl (Shelley Winters) who works at the same factory (which is against the policy of the factory). Meanwhile, his uncle takes an interest in him and moves him to the up and up, where he meets and does fall in love with another girl (Elizabeth Taylor) who is one of the elite set. Complications obviously come and well - I don't think I will be giving anything away by saying that it is tragic.

Again, it is a wonderfully made film. Some of the shots are just beautiful, the acting on all sides is

honest, open, and real. Taylor is exquisite. This was probably the height of her gorgeousness as well as an interesting time (age-wise) for her. She has that beautiful niavity that her character demands. She is the person you feel the most for. It should be Winters, but she plays her role so well that you can't completely like her. The character is too easily led astray, too whiny, and too possesive. Granted, after a bit, she has a reason to be, but overall, her annoyingness gets to you and you (the audience) almost begins to wish she would just go away as Cliff does. Cliff plays the duel role well. You love him and you feel for him, and you can see his despair, but it is, after all, a situation he made himself.

This film could not be made today. Too much has changed in our society. You have to see the film to understand it really, but the Winters character would have options now that were not available then - and she would have more gumption. I guess maybe that is also why I don't really like her character. She is SO dependent. She can't take the responsibility of her actions alone, and that is where she loses me. Again, her kind of person was permissable back then, and still is pitied a little today, but not nearly in the same way. Whether this is really a tragedy or not is open for discussion. It is tragic, yes, but in classic terms, I'm still out on that decision.

4 out of 5 stars

The Deer Hunter: I need to write this now. I am an hour and a half into this movie, and I can hardly watch it. More to follow, but I just have to say that is disgusts me the many way people can think of to torture one another.

...

Okay, I am back and I just finished the movie. Tears are falling down my cheeks, I have a lump in my throat and my nose is running. My insides hurt and all I can think is: how, HOW can anyone watch movies like this and still want to have anything to do with war??

I'm not even going to talk about historical merits, how well it was acted, or how well constructed the film is. I can't. Because those things don't really stick as much as the feeling this film leaves you with. It starts following a group of guys from a small Pennsylvania town on their last day of work, through the wedding of one of their friends, and the last hunting trip before 3 of them go to Vietnam. Then they go to Vietnam. And they return. That is all I will give you, because I just can't go into it. The beginning does a beautiful job of establishing friendship and the ins and outs of a way of life. It's not about fancy or special people - they are just run-of the mill johns and joans stuck in the same small town, the same small world. But they enjoy it. One of the most beautiful moments is when Walken's character tells DeNiro how much he loves it (the town, the way of life, all of it) and he makes him promise to bring him back home. And the ending. I guess it can be seen as cheesy, but it doesn't feel that way in the moment. It catches you - and you have to wonder how these people can do that after everything? You'll understand when you see it.

The movie is not easy to watch. There were several moments when I could hardly look at the screen. It's gritty and dirty, low and revolting - but it is also poignant and beautiful. The contrast between the scenes is unbelievable. It makes a point, and it makes you hold on through the movie.

It is easy to see why it is on AFI's top 100 list. Watch it.
4 out of 5 stars.