Happy Easter everyone! Yes, it is Easter Sunday as I type this, and nice to be topical :-)
Here are the penultimate set of 10 films that are simply the best:
Goodbye Mr. Chips - obviously the Robert Donat version. It's a wonderful if slight tale of the history of one teacher as he observes the passage of time from the halls of his school. Covering his arrival at the school to the end of his days there, and encompassing the losses of his ex-wards to war. It's a sentimental, but poignant look at England and of loss of innocence. A tear-jerker to boot!
Gorky Park - of a number of gritty thrillers in the 80s I liked this the most. William Hurt in one of his calm, cold roles, matched against cold-hearted Lee Marvin amongst the seedy Soviet underworld. Unpleasant at times, but stylish, and unflinching. Reminiscent of the Osterman Weekend in tone, but I like the coldness in this one more.
Harvey - another Jimmy Stewart unmissable classic. This film is funny, delightful, and contains more than a little hint of sexual innuendo. Relying heavily on the affectionate performance of Stewart, there's a lovely story about life, love and perception told through the eccentric tale of someone who just sees things differently to those around him. You can see elements of many aspects of today's physical comedy and farce introduced here, revealed in a more gentle manner than the pure slapstick of earlier, silent, movies. It's about not losing sight of what's important in life, and letting yourself believe. A wonderful, happy, entertaining time.
How the west was won - this can be considered a 'cheat' choice, as we really have three films (at least) in one here. Directed by the three greats - Ford, Hathaway and Marshall - this is a true 'epic'. The cast list alone goes on forever ... Stewart, Wayne, Tracy, Peck, Reynolds, Moorehead, Peppard, Wallach, Malden, ... as we have the story of the American westward sprawl told through a number of stories, crossing several family generations. Odd to see on the small screen as shot in 'cinerama' (where a central screen is flanked by two side wings) but something that has to be seen. Truly epic. An amazing film that flies by, even though it runs to almost 3 hours.
Il Postino - This is just a marvellous film. Telling the tale of a simple postman who is employed by exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda to deliver his mail, it shows the impact one man of words can have on a life. It's funny, but no comedy, romantic, but not sentimental ... it's about a life and what living should be. Not a huge tale, about dramatic events (although it is dramatic) but a small story about a man and his life. At times incredibly sad and heart-rending, a film that touches your heart. It's beautiful.
Leon - a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, Luc Besson made good films. 'Leon' sits between the good and the bad, and is certainly more commercially aware than some of his earlier work, but doesn't fall into the trap of being too obvious. There are still quirky characters, and odd performances - a manic one by Gary Oldman definitely, and an assured one from the débutante Portman. Full of stylish action, and tense standoffs (one of the best between Portman and a door) this is high-end French action for the US market.
Local Hero - practically flawless in every department, one of the best British films of all time. Whimsy, warmth, wit and wisdom as a US oil company more than meets its match in the Scottish highlands. Just everything that makes films great is contained in this wonderful story. Brilliant at all times.
Looking for Mr. Goodbar - This is a seedy, unsavoury film, almost a very black comedy, with Diane Keaton in a challenging role, showing more teeth than she was often given in the Woody Allen films he was making around the same time. Found shocking at the time, I still think it would be seen as powerful today. The story of a pleasant, amiable school teacher trawling the singles bars at night, looking for casual sex with strangers. Certainly a strong film with plenty of irony, and bleak 'everyday-ness' to it. I think it was Richard Gere's first film, but you won't see him until almost the end. If you've never seen it, then you must watch it.
Love and Death - and here is the delightful Miss Keaton again. Wonderful, witty, gorgeous and engaging, her partnerships with Allen are the highlights of several of his classics. However, of all of their collaborations I find this the most consistently humorous, particularly the scenes when Allen is being despatched to the front, much to his displeasure. The latter Blackadders owe a debt to Allen - in much the same way as Atkinson plays Blackadder as a modern man in different times, so Allen simply plays a neurotic New York Jew in all of his movies of this era. He is the knowing wise-cracking fish out of water, whilst the cast around him live in the appropriate time. Much of the obvious humour stems from this position, but Allen is smart enough to draw the parallel both ways, so he often reflects modern-day issues through the events of the times he shows. And above all, it's a silly send-up of War and Peace. Nothing wrong there.
Marathon Man - well, is it safe? A tremendous, fast-paced thriller which rips along. Most of Hoffman's (early) films were outstanding and this is no exception. Many classic scenes and brilliant characters and actors combined. Brilliant.
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Well, almost done ... just my final 10 to reveal. I think this ten is (again) as good as any. Thank you.
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