Tough decision this week: I could go with Francois Traffaut's Day For Night, which I saw on the big screen today, but fear that, due to the probability that nobody has seen it, nobody will read the review.
Could be Gone with the Wind too, the only film that has entered my Top 100 this week, but as its an epic film, it would take some time to write the review. Anyway, it's a highly recommended film that is, arguably, the best film of Hollywood's Golden Age. Also recommended, after a re-watch, is Mississippi Burning--absolutely fascinating account of racism in the 1960s South, with stunning performances and direction.
I watched Barton Fink for the first time, one of those movies that always inspire you out of writer's block (Omar, take note!
) It's the Coens at their strangest, and highly recommended also. Film of the week has to be The French Connection, which I watched again, just to reassure myself that it is my favourite film of all time, no doubt about it!
Anyway,
new Film of the Week...
The Big Lebowski(1998/Coen/US)Unfair I know; they've had two stabs at it this week, and succeeded with this comedy about the adventures of a nobody in Los Angeles (pronounced Angle-eez). "The Dude" has the same name of a rich millionaire (well, I don't know of any millionaires that
aren't rich, but anyway...). Anyway, when The Dude is mistaken for the millionaire, and his rug is pissed on, he is recruited by his rich namesake to search for the kidnapped wife, who is being held for ransom. What ensues is a rollercoaster adventure consisting of, between league games of ten-pin bowling, encounters that mean nothing, encounters that mean something, encounters that rely on no-strings-attached sex, and anything else the Coens are capable of (well, perhaps there
is some boundaries).
Roger Deakins' usual visual wit is apparent here. The Coens persist in using vast, endless and continuous patterns--ie. staircases and hallways--especially in The Dude's dream sequences, which are a treat, and despite their lack of (on-the-surface) significance to the plot, they are perhaps the most well-done parts of the film. The soundtrack, as always, is well-chosen, also.
John Goodman steals the show as The Dude's Vietnam-obsessed best friend Walter Sobchak, while another Coen regular, Steve Buscemi offers complimentary dim-mindedness. Peter Stomare, meanwhile, is a German pornstar--miles apart from his role in Fargo. Other support comes from Julianne Moore, Philip Seymore Hoffman, and John Turturro as the hilarious Jesus Quintana.
Critics seem divided: while Halliwell's Guide gives it two stars, Virgin's Film Guide gives it one and a half, and really degrades it. I, on the other hand, think it is the funniest Coen Brothers film I've seen. Goodman is hilarious, the plot is engrossing enough, and it's by far the most enjoyable films I've seen this week. Although the plot has nowhere in particular to go, and gets more and more outrageous as it hurdles along, it
is highly enjoyable, and should never be taken seriously (or, as this is the Coens, should it?).
***
8/10Mick
