All About Films

Hello darlings! I took a little break from blogging because as you all are aware these times have been rough. It is often hard to stay optimistic and inspired. But as you guys know when I need a pick me up or need to take my mind off of things, I turn to my favorite media which is film. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the film possibilities. I have Netflix, Hulu, Criterion Channel, Turner Classic Movies, Mubi, and everything in between. I have no idea how many films I've watched in this time to be quite honest with you, but it's been an exorbitant amount. I will share with you five films that I think you should watch at this time. Some are optimistic and provide escapism while others are on the darker side. I also want to provide a mix of old films from all over the world and not just American films. I hope you enjoy this little post!!

1.) One Wonderful Sunday (1947) directed and co-written by one of my all time favorite directors, Akira Kurosawa. It stars Isao Numasaki as Yuzo and Chieko Nakakita as Masako. Where do I begin with this lovely film? This is not one of Kurosawa's most noted films as it is one of his earlier works. He's more known for films like Rashomon (1950) and Seven Samurai (1954). But this is a quiet film that tugs at the heart strings. One Wonderful Sunday is a black-and-white Japanese film that explores life post-World War II. Set in Tokyo, a young couple named Yuzo (who has returned home from war) and his fiancee Masako spend a Sunday together that is filled with disappointment, resentment, sadness, love, and optimism all wrapped in one.

The couple have only 35 yen between them but are determined to not only make the 35 yen stretch but have an enjoyable day. Yuzo is pessimistic about life after war and hates being in financial despair. Masako is optimistic and longs for Yuzo to dream again with her the way he did before war.

This film was made during the Occupation in Japan and really showcases the struggle for citizens especially those who fought in World War II. The movie is a slice of life love story beautifully directed by Akira Kurosawa. One of the most notable scenes is towards the end when even Masako feels hopeless and the fourth wall is broken. She looks directly at the camera and says a small speech that breaks the heart.

This is a film that is stellar all around. The screenwriting is poignant, the directing is sharp, and the acting is great. I highly recommend!

2.) The Whole Town's Talking (1935) directed by John Ford starring Edward G. Robinson (Arthur Ferguson Jones/"Killer" Mannion) and Jean Arthur (Wilhelmina Clark). This is your standard 1930s American screwball comedy with all of the proper trimmings--a ridiculous storyline (which makes it very funny), Jean Arthur's wittiness and fearlessness, and a lot of poking fun at the gangster film genre. The movie is about Arthur Ferguson Jones (Robinson), a mild-mannered, quiet, and forbearing man who works at an advertising company. He has a crush on the self-assertive Wilhelmina (Arthur) who works in the office with him. One day at work Wilhelmina reads a newspaper article with a headline about a wanted man who is infamous for robbing banks around town. His name is "Killer" Mannion (also Robinson) who everyone realizes looks exactly like the mild Arthur Ferguson Jones. Eventually police confuse Arthur and Mannion and the film turns into Mannion taking full advantage of his doppelgänger.

Edward G. Robinson does a fabulous job poking fun at two character types that he is known for. In the "Killer" Mannion character, he pokes fun at his gangster typecast. He puffs his chest out, smokes cigars, and barks orders at his minions. This character is reminiscent of his notable gangster films such as The Widow from Chicago (1930) and Little Caesar (1931). He really puts on the tough guy act but in a way that is comedic and feels like a wink to the audience. Arthur Ferguson Jones is reminiscent of his softer roles specifically in later films such as Double Indemnity (1944) and Scarlet Street (1945). In some ways he is a bit of a pathetic character, falling for Mannion's tricks and not being brave enough to confess his feelings for Wilhelmina.

Meanwhile Jean Arthur is the perfect counterpart. She is quick-witted, whimsical, and smart. The viewer completely understands Edward G. Robinson's attraction for her.

This is a quick-paced film that will spark your interest within the first couple of minutes. It is truly a comical film with pizzazz. If you watch this film, I suggest turning your evening into a Jean Arthur movie marathon. She isn't an actress that is as talked about as say Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, or Katharine Hepburn, but she is truly extraordinary in just about any role that she's in.

If you need a pick me up, this film will do it for you!

3.) Mississippi Mermaid (1969) directed by François Truffaut starring Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Paul Belmondo, an all-star trio. This film packs A LOT into 123 minutes, it almost feels like chapters of a story. Mississippi Mermaid is a French film that is a romantic "dark" comedy. The film follows Louis Mahé (Belmondo) a wealthy man who owns a tobacco plantation on Réunion Island as he awaits his mail-order bride whom he's never met before but has had mail correspondence with. His bride-to-be is Julie Roussel (Deneuve) who looks nothing like the photograph that was mailed to him, but Louis is instantly enamored.

Things go downhill fast as Louis discovers that Julie has many more lies and deception that is darker than Louis could ever imagine. A bit of a Bonnie and Clyde storyline the couple faces separation, murder, deception, and romance all tied in a beautifully directed bow as they travel around France together. Truffaut provides a structured mass of schizophrenia and dark comedy. Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve make the perfect pairing, both exceptionally charming. Belmondo plays the passionate lover and Deneuve the aloof femme fatale type.

Note: this film has the standard French 1960s filmmaking--lots of irony and dark subject matter handled with a light, comedic tone. It doesn't hurt that Catherine Deneuve looks absolutely stunning in late 1960s fashion--black long-sleeved lace-y dresses, lavallière blouses, and suede miniskirts. This is a Truffaut film that deserves a lot more attention.

4.) The Harlem Globetrotters (1951) directed by Phil Brown and Will Jason starring Billy Brown and Dorothy Dandridge. As a huge Dorothy Dandridge fan, this is a film that I've been on the hunt for about two years now. Recently I decided to inquire about the film's whereabouts to @dandridgelove, an Instagram account working to help preserve Dorothy's legacy. And lo and behold I was led in the right direction and given a direct YouTube link (here) to this film that deserves much more attention.

The Harlem Globetrotters is a sports drama film starring real life Harlem Globetrotters (the famous African American basketball team founded in 1926) including the principle star Billy Brown who played Billy Townsend. The film is about Billy, a college student with aspirations of leaving university and playing for the Trotters one day. He has the opportunity to make his dreams come true which means he has to make adjustments in his playing style (being more of a team player) and within his relationship with his girlfriend Ann Carpenter (Dandridge). This movie doesn't have the best storyline and acting as most of the actors were non-actors, but it is a charming movie that deserves to be more distributed, viewed, and talked about.

The Harlem Globetrotters really get to showcase their talents with fanciful dribbling skills and impressive shots that showcase the personality of the team. For a 1950s film, the characters are NOT stereotypical and the team is really celebrated for the positive affects they have on the black community due to the fact that they provide representation in sports.

This is one of Dorothy Dandridge's earlier roles in which she played a supporting role but boy does she make an impact! She does a fabulous job playing the part of a supportive but concerned girlfriend (turned fiancee). Her character provides patience and guidance for Billy while standing her ground when she needs to. It doesn't hurt that she also looks absolutely stunning donning 1940s wool dresses with beautiful hats and jewelry--at one point she even rocks a gorgeous dark mink coat.

The film received a generally positive response and was considered the best sports film of the time. I HIGHLY recommend everyone giving this film a viewing. It is a film that showcases a slice of African American culture in the 1950s.

5.) Elevator to the Gallows (1958) directed by Louis Malle and starring Jeanne Moreau and Maurice Ronet. This groundbreaking French film is my favorite of the films that I've watched during this time of social distancing. Elevator to the Gallows is a French New Wave crime film with film noir influences that follows Florence Carala (Moreau) and Julien Tavernier (Ronet) who are lovers plotting the murder of Florence's husband whom Julien works for. The murder goes as planned but a malfunctioned elevator slowly begins to unravel the original plan. A young couple becomes involved and further complicates things.

I do not want to give away too much of the storyline but the unraveling of a fairly simple murder plot due to a mundane circumstance really gets the ball moving early on in this movie. Director Louis Malle and cinematographer Henri Decaë are at their best with interesting film editing techniques and the combination of French New Wave experimental shots blended effortlessly with film noir undertones.

It is a film that you will not be able to take your eyes off of. Paris never looks better as a heartbroken Florence dredges through the Parisian streets scouring every bar and cafe searching for her lover. Jeanne Moreau is truly incredible in this film. She is convincing as a woman who is so invested and in love with her lover that she will go to great lengths to stay with and protect him. And while not a curl is ever out of place, we feel her internal struggle and misplaced heartbreak. Her eyes says it all.

One of the most impressive aspects of this film is the relationship between the storyline, filming, and MUSIC. The soundtrack was composed by Miles Davis which is reason enough to give this movie a watch (and the soundtrack a spin). Miles Davis is at his best as this is the precursor to Milestones (1958) and Kind of Blue (1959). The music is moody and heightens its energy at the most dramatic moments. This film is a great example of the importance of the relationship between film and music and explores it with an open mind allowing Miles the space to help attribute to the overall mood of the film.

I recently created a LetterBoxd where I rate recently watched films. If you'd like to view my LetterBoxd for more film recommendations you can take a peek at that here. And I hope you all enjoyed this film post! Stay safe and I will see you next week!!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the photographs in this post.