Another year has passed and as we begin to look to our future its also important to reflect on the past. This month, we decided to do so by watching old (70 years+) Rom Coms. Time travel with us back to the 50's and earlier as we tackle films like Barefoot in the Park and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Criterion on Demand
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) is difficult to characterise, its Technicolour visions of an older New York, antiquated yellow taxicabs and all, are appealing to me, and yet the lead male character, Paul Varjak, feels so uncomfortable. He plays opposite Holly Golightly, an attractive young woman living in New York. She makes money off of her frequent dates with men whom she describes as “rats” and “super rats”. Paul Varjak moves into an apartment in her building, and the two get to know each other and begin to fall in love. And while the film can be amusing in telling this story (I find the phrase super rat to be hilarious), the way that Paul’s “love” for Holly is shown as insistent, obsessive, and possessive (through Paul’s use of the phrase “you belong to me”) makes the romance hard to swallow. You get the sense that Paul has an inability to respect Holly’s denials of his affection, despite Holly ultimately reciprocating his feelings. On top of Paul being an uncomfortable character to watch, I feel obligated to address Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi. It is, plain and simple yellowface, an objectively offensive stereotype. And both of these things (Paul Varjak, and Mr. Yunioshi) may just be remnants from a different time, yet nonetheless they make me uneasy, and if they make you uneasy too, you might want to think twice about giving Breakfast at Tiffany’s a watch. Audrey Hepburn is Holly Golightly; George Peppard is Paul Varjak. Directed by Blake Edwards.
-Gabe
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Criterion on Demand
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a comedic musical from 1953 directed by underrated gem Howard Hawks. It shows classic Hollywood starlets Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel as showgirls who go on a cruise and flirt with various guys, some of which are married, and then other shenanigans ensue. These shenanigans, while funny, will not be the focus here. I won’t be covering any time period inappropriateness, instead I will be talking about all of the good stuff I loved about it.
No time period has anywhere near the same level of glamour, as Hollywood did in the 50s. Everyone had to be dressed up to the nines, everyone had to sparkle, and everyone was flawless. Evident by the lead casting of two of Hollywood’s brightest starlets of the time. Marilyn Monroe playing the money driven sophisticate, and Jane Russel playing her more superficial counterpart, interested in athletic men. Their personalities demonstrated through songs mostly. Songs that hold up so incredibly well that the hit song “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” has been a mainstay in culture ever since.
Not only are the songs and outfits fun though, but the whole movie is. You can sit down for the relatively short hour and a half run time and think it was half that. It has a charm that often eludes movies nowadays. It is simple and fun but not in a way where it is devoid of any meaning, just in a way where the director set out to make a movie so the audience could relax and escape. So many movies nowadays are rooted in reality and are scrutinised for being too unrealistic, to the point where when I watch a movie I’m barraged by problems I deal with on a day to day basis. These older movies are a fantastic way for someone to sit down and forget about all the stuff that plagues us day by day. To live in a world where the biggest problems are if you should go for a muscular or rich man. To sing and dance as everyone shines from both talent and the sparkles on their outfit. So a big thanks to Howard and crew, for giving us an hour and half of peace.
-Thalia
Barefoot in the Park
Criterion on Demand
Opposites attract? This film will bring you this trope and all its delights and tensions. Corie, (Jane Fonda) a vivacious, young woman with a passion for life and all its riches, marries Paul (Robert Redford) a conservative, uptight lawyer. The couple move into a stingy Greenwich Village apartment that is, well, unlivable. Corie takes a liking to the place and is always trying to find the good in everything while Paul, of course, does not want to give his new home any engagement. The apartment is in shambles, and serves as a symbolic imagining of the antagonistic, 'broken down' state of the couple's union. As the film progresses, the apartment space becomes more colourful, cleaner and organised and so does the relationship between Corie and Paul as the two are able to reconcile and live with each other's differences. However, the bulk of the film's charm revolves around these differences. Corie is an adventurous spirit; she speaks what she feels and she does not pay attention to the jeers and judgements of others. Paul, on the other hand, is stubborn and cautious and it is in his refusal to bend to Corie's spontaneity where matters become difficult. To walk "barefoot in the park" of course, is an act of letting go or letting loose. It's not something we do, but something we maybe ought to consider in order to achieve a kind of union with ourselves and the earth - do check for harmful objects on the ground before trying, though! Does Paul stand up to the task? Will he or won't he?
-Monica
His Girl Friday
Amazon Prime
Directed by Howard Hawks, His Girl Friday is a romantic comedy which follows Walter uses his bag of tricks to prevent his former lover Hildy from being married again. The witty dialogues exchanged between Walter and Hildy not only display the strong connection and chemistry between the two, but also speed up the pace of the film which inverts the expectations of old movies being dull and slow. The thing I like the most about this film is that even though Hildy is a clever woman and knows Walter’s plans all along, she still gets outsmarted by Walter as he is always one step ahead. Anyways, I highly recommend this film if you are looking for movies that are funny and under 100 minutes. I actually watched this film several years ago, and writing this review gives me a reason to watch it again.
-Jake
My Man Godfrey
Amazon Prime, Plex
Filmed in 1936, near the 'end' (loosely used) of the Great Depression, My Man Godfrey is a quintessential screwball romantic comedy replete with slapstick, a fast-paced jittery dialogue, masquerading of identity, strong-willed female characters and the struggles between economic and social classes. All of these criteria are fair game and raw with romantic potential. My Man Godfrey, while encompassing all these qualities (and more) is unique because it considers the socio-economic reality of the time, the Great Depression, and it's traumatic effects on the population. Although the allusions to the Great Depression are confined to the realms of identity in the lead male protagonist, the ethos lingers on throughout the film, even in the lush, palatial homes of the wealthy where most of the action takes place. Godfrey "Smith" Parks (William Powell) is an unemployed, homeless man who lives with other homeless individuals in Hooverville (a homeless encampment or shanty town that was named after President Herbert Hoover). Godfrey's life quickly changes when he is picked up by wealthy socialite, Irene Bullock (Carole Lombard) and becomes her family's butler, all under the premise that he is a "forgotten man" (a term used in the 30s and that is still used today to describe a man whose interests and wellbeing are ignored by the state). The romance and antics between these two characters are delightful; Godfrey's background does not bother Irene and it is definitely a case of love at first sight for her. While Irene falls for Godfrey fast, the hypocrisy of the rich is exposed amidst the continual dysfunction of Irene's family. While the romance is certainly on key, it also serves as a tool to illustrate the disparity between low and higher economic statuses. This is a film that will not only pleasure you in its comical and romantic situations between its characters, but it will also illuminate and hit on the ever present divide between rich and poor and how we treat those in our society who are not.
-Monica
Singing in the Rain
Amazon Prime
Singing in the Rain (1952) is a movie musical about the film industry in the 1920’s and the transition to sound film. If you are not a [movie] musical fan, you won’t like this film. This is a cheesy 50s film through and through. However, as someone who likes cheese from time to time I think this is a nice film. I enjoy the musical numbers and the payoff is satisfying for me. If you’re not an “old movie” kind of person, I would still recommend this film. It's nicely paced and the comedy is up to par. This could even be a gateway to other old-timey films!
-Stacy
Roman Holiday
Criterion on Demand
Roman Holiday (1953) was a delightful movie to watch. In the film, Ann, a princess who is frustrated with her micromanaged life while on a diplomatic trip across Europe, decides to escape her lodgings at her country’s embassy in Rome. Soon she meets Joe Bradley, a flakey reporter, and crashes at his apartment for the night. The next day Joe, realising who Ann is, decides to get an exclusive story about her. The two of them go for a day out in Rome (with Joe’s photographer friend Irving in tow), and Ann, enjoying her newfound freedom, explores new experiences such as smoking her first cigarette (how scandalous). And shortly thereafter, Joe and Ann become enamoured with each other, which is touching to see but not what I found so compelling about the film. Truly, what makes this film exciting is the way that it shows Rome. We get to visit the Colosseum, the Mouth of Truth, and the Spanish Steps. We get to dance on the Tiber with Ann and Joe, and their charming demeanors make us feel welcome in their company (Audrey Hepburn seems born to play a princess). It is as if you were on a trip through the city with some of your closest friends. Which is why, if you have any interest in Rome as a place either for its history or for its romantic image, you should see Roman Holiday, because the Rome it depicts is just absolutely stunning. Gregory Peck is Joe Bradley; Eddie Albert is Irving Radovich. Directed by William Wyler.
-Gabe
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