It's always quite interesting to me to watch an actor in a role that almost no one knows he / she for. Just like in "Bridge On The River Kwai" (the late) Sir Alec Guinness, surprised me with his diverse acting ability.
"Obi Wan" was a memorable role for him but here, he is a cranky & crumudgeon of an artist, fresh out of jail. Looking to retrieve 19 of his paintings from the gentleman that he continuously crank calls. He's also looking to make the ultimate artistic statement on someone's wall somewhere in London, if they'll allow him.
Alec is hilarious in this movie and the entire picture itself seems to be ahead of it's time. It sort of reminds me of the kind of "anti-establishment / anarchy" comedies made in the late 1960s or in the 1970s.
One point is when the old man has called the police on him and his female friend and they make a one of the looniest attempts at a getaway and / or "making a break for it" that has to be seen to be believed.
Another crazy scene is painting a mural on the wall of a rich couple who have gone on holiday. He's doing okay when another artist, a sculptor horns in on his living arrangement and makes an absolute shambles of the place. Watch what happens when the couple & friend return.
Lastly, the scenes between him and a former "nude model" are funny as well, mainly the physical fight between them over a painting she's kept from him.
To put it simply, knowing Guinness for other roles, especially Obi-Wan Kenobi, you almost wont believe that's really him. His voice has a purposely done, Harvey Kietel scratchiness, his comedic timing is wonderful and he puts himself 100% into this character, that in some ways is to be pitied but at the same time rooted for.
No Question - 10 out of 10 (END)
"Obi Wan" was a memorable role for him but here, he is a cranky & crumudgeon of an artist, fresh out of jail. Looking to retrieve 19 of his paintings from the gentleman that he continuously crank calls. He's also looking to make the ultimate artistic statement on someone's wall somewhere in London, if they'll allow him.
Alec is hilarious in this movie and the entire picture itself seems to be ahead of it's time. It sort of reminds me of the kind of "anti-establishment / anarchy" comedies made in the late 1960s or in the 1970s.
One point is when the old man has called the police on him and his female friend and they make a one of the looniest attempts at a getaway and / or "making a break for it" that has to be seen to be believed.
Another crazy scene is painting a mural on the wall of a rich couple who have gone on holiday. He's doing okay when another artist, a sculptor horns in on his living arrangement and makes an absolute shambles of the place. Watch what happens when the couple & friend return.
Lastly, the scenes between him and a former "nude model" are funny as well, mainly the physical fight between them over a painting she's kept from him.
To put it simply, knowing Guinness for other roles, especially Obi-Wan Kenobi, you almost wont believe that's really him. His voice has a purposely done, Harvey Kietel scratchiness, his comedic timing is wonderful and he puts himself 100% into this character, that in some ways is to be pitied but at the same time rooted for.
No Question - 10 out of 10 (END)