Daily Archives: November 17, 2016

Shadows (1959)

Shadows
Directed by John Cassavettes
Written by John Cassavettes
1959/USA
Lion International
First viewing/FilmStruck
#363 of 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die

[box] Tony: I need the key for 042!

David: You can’t get it, Elaine’s not in.

Rupert: Where is she?

David: She’s dealing with the raccoons, man.[/box]

John Cassavettes keeps it real in his debut film.  His later films would be more polished but the emotions remain just as raw.

The film focuses on twenty-something siblings, two brothers and a sister, who are struggling to find their way in life.  The two brothers are jazz musicians and their little sister seems to be at loose ends.  We concentrate on a few days of their lives in New York City.  These are filled with parties and fights, some verbal and some physical.

The film was based on an actor’s workshop improvisation in which a white swinger seduces the sister only to discover that she is both black and a virgin.  For me, the highlights of the film were the seduction scene, the minutes after consummation of the conquest, and the sister’s date with a black man thereafter.  All seemed as messy as real life and as moving.

This shows what can happen when a filmmaker ditches both the Hayes Code and Hollywood conventions.  The improvisational nature of the film was part of its charm and freshness but also means some of the acting seems a bit stilted and forced as the actors search for words.  Later films would refine the improvisational technique and employ more experienced actors.  Recommended.

Trailer

Marie-Octobre (1959)

Marie-Octobre
Directed by Julien Duvivier
Written by Henri Jeanson, Julien Duvivier and Jacques Robert from Robert’s novel
1959/France
Abbey Films/Doxa Films/Orex Films/Societe Francaise du Theatre et Cinema
First viewing/YouTube

[box] “Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be put out.” -Charles de Gaulle[/box]

Some of France’s most recognizable actors of the era bring class but not enough oomph to this stage-bound drawing room mystery.

Members of a French Resistance cell hold a reunion 15 years after VE Day.  Marie-Octobre (Danielle Darrieux), the lone woman in the group, has discovered that one of their number had ratted out their leader before he was shot and killed by the Gestapo.  She and a trusted friend have orchestrated the dinner to ferret out the culprit.

The evening consists of a tangled web of questions, accusations, confessions and lies. Then the group must struggle over what penalty the guilty party deserves.

What could have been a suspenseful story of courage and betrayal is reduced to a lot of talk, talk, talk.  Duvivier keeps his camera moving within the confines of the salon and the actors keep the conversation lively but this could have been a much better film with a few selected flashbacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-l9qASJkM

Clip (no subtitles)