Movie Review: The Caine Mutiny
Year of Release: 1954
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, José Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray, Robert Francis
Plot outline: When a US Naval captain shows signs of mental instability that jeopardizes the ship, the first officer relieves him of command and faces court martial for mutiny (IMDb).
Humphrey Bogart really shows his range as an actor, playing against type as the compulsive, paranoid, Captain Queeg. From the speech patters, to the darting eyes, and nervous habits, Bogart creates the foundation that scores of actors would build on in years to come. Fred MacMurray, despite relatively little screen time, turns in a particularly nuanced performance that plays in perfect counterpoint to Bogart’s, while José Ferrer resists the urge to overact in what could be a showy role and instead effectively punches home the movie’s very sober message. The only real problem with the movie is the length. There’s an entire sub-plot featuring Robert Francis and May Wynn that doesn’t really pay off, but shows promise. Interestingly, according to the IMDb, there initially were two scripts for the movie, one with the romance and one without. Both scripts ran over three hours and fleshed out many more of the characters, but the studio head insisted the movie run two hours and thus much of the material was cut, but, surprisingly, the romance stayed. Despite the dull romance, the characters are all credible and well defined. (FML)
My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars
Movie Review: The Young Lions
Year of Release: 1958Country of Origin: USADirector: Edward DmytrykCast: Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin, Hope LangePlot outline: The destiny of three soldiers: one German and two Americans, paralleling their experiences in World War II until they meet up at the end for a confrontation (IMDb).The Young Lions tells in great detail how each of these soldiers comes to view the war, as it makes its appeal as an anti-war movie. Marlon Brando turns into a conflicted Nazi, who has become disillusioned by the war but can't escape from it. Dean Martin is shamed into volunteering by his girlfriend, Margaret, and riddled with guilt that Montgomery Clift is fighting and he's got a soft gig. Clift intensely plays his role as the anguished Jewish outsider filled with a mixture of pathos and optimism. Brando might have the showy German accent but Clift's sensitive performance brings out greater depth than Brando did in his character. The two shared no scenes together, so we can only judge them separately. Martin takes on his first serious role after breaking up with comedian partner Jerry Lewis. All three stars shine and give this movie a luster despite periodic breakdowns in the way the episodic story was told. Besides being overlong, there were too many scenes where the action seemed forced, as if only used to make a plot point. It should also be noted that Swedish actress May Britt, Swiss actor Maximilian Schell, French actress Dora Doll and Italian actress Liliane Montevecchi all made their US film debuts here. (DS)My judgement: *** out of 4 stars
Movie Review: Roman Holiday
Year of Release: 1953
Country of Origin: USA
Director: William Wyler
Cast: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
Plot outline: A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman (IMDb).
Roman Holiday was the movie that made Audrey Hepburn a star. Hepburn radiates youth, innocence and vitality. She wins the sympathy of the audience from the earliest scenes. The biggest surprise was provided by Eddie Albert - later known as a competent but unengaging straight man - here his character is excitable and bohemian, and even sports a beard suitable for a temperamental artist. Albert plays this character perfectly, and it is a shame that middle age led to his casting in less challenging roles. During the 1950s and 1960s, Hepburn was frequently cast with much older leading men, such as Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, Rex Harrison, Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. But Gregory Peck was closer to her in age, making him less of a father figure and more convincing as a love interest. Still, Peck has an air of moral rectitude - that he will do "the right thing" with her is never really in doubt. His character matches well with Hepburn's, as his advantages in experience and cynicism are offset by Hepburn's appealing innocence and vulnerability. But, there are a few scenes that don't fully work. We are to believe that Bradley can convince his elderly Italian landlord to play soldier. At the press conference, Bradley and Irving have managed to be front and center of a large contingent of an extremely well-behaved press. It is difficult to believe that Bradley (much less Irving) wouldn't publish a financially rewarding, career-making story. Ann, after acting like a child throughout, suddenly gains maturity at the end. Nevertheless, Roman Holiday is well directed, well written, and very well cast. 1953 was the year of From Here to Eternity, a blockbuster that would dominate the Academy Awards. Despite its ten nominations, Roman Holiday won only three Oscars: Best Actress (Hepburn), Best Story, and Best Costume Design (Edith Head). (BK)
My judgement: ***1/2 out of 4 stars
Movie Review: The Swarm
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Irwin Allen
Cast: Michael Caine, Katharine Ross, Richard Widmark, Richard Chamberlain, Olivia de Havilland
Plot outline: A huge swarm of deadly African bees spreads terror over American cities by killing thousands of people (IMDb).
The Swarm is the type of movie that dares to include such laughable dialogue as "General, you should know that the enemy is always expected to do the unexpected." As the swarm of bees invade and sting their victims, the symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, and visions of a giant bee! The cast is made up of many famous faces from the 1970s. Some of them seem right at home, while others seem to be around for marquee value (Henry Fonda, what on earth are you doing in here?). While it's fun to see all the different actors from eras past trampling on stage, we never invest any emotional stock in them. As for the evil insects, it's somewhat refreshing to see actual bees on the screen instead of computer generated effects (as would be the case if the movie was made today). I have no idea how the filmmakers managed to coerce the actors into working with the bees, but God bless them for their perseverance. Of course, many of the shots involving the actual swarm are just matte shots or fancy effects. Some are sufficient, while others appear downright cheesy. It's too bad there wasn't any extra footage letting us know how many stings each actor received in the course of the filming. If you enjoyed The Poseidon Adventure or The Towering Inferno, chances are you'll have a few laughs at The Swarm's expense. While the movie may not have heavy "buzz" around it among moviegoers, it's still a fun little flick filled with thousands of bees and Michael Caine. (PN)
My judgement: ** out of 4 stars
Movie Review: Mutiny on the Bounty
Year of Release: 1935
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Frank Lloyd
Cast: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone
Plot outline: On the HMS Bounty, Fletcher Christian leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh (IMDb).
Based on the true story of HMS Bounty in 1788, Mutiny on the Bounty has been remade twice, in 1962 and 1984, and neither can hold a candle to the original production. Director Frank Lloyd had a hard time getting MGM to back the story, getting a resounding “no” from Louis B. Mayer but finally getting producer Irving Thalberg to convince Mayer the story was marketable. The movie cost $2,000,000 depression-era dollars so you can imagine what it would cost today. Two full scale ships were built and sailed to Tahiti and back. Two of the biggest stars of the day were given the leading roles, Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh and Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian, first officer on the Bounty. Both stars had to be persuaded to take their roles: Laughton because he feared the implacable character of Bligh would typecast him; it did - and Gable because he felt the knee breeches and pigtail would make his millions of fans think he was a pansy; it didn’t. Adding to the cast, Franchot Tone played the idealistic young officer, Mr. Byam, and the crew was handpicked from the legendary MGM stable of supporting actors. Laughton as the tyrannical Captain Bligh makes one of the greatest screen villains of all time. He is competent and wicked and there is hardly a shred of weakness in him. He is the type of monster you have nightmares about. Of course, Gable is manly and his scenes with Tehani are heart throbbing. Both Laughton and costars Clark Gable and Franchot Tone were nominated for Best Actor, the only time that three actors from a single movie were nominated. Mutiny on the Bounty is a bona fide masterpiece; it contains the right mix of action, character development, and humor and makes the 132 minute running time see short. (GC)
My judgement: ***1/2 out of 4 stars
Year of Release: 1954
