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Reviews
42nd Street (1933)
Pretty Lady
42nd Street is one of the best musical films of Hollywood and no wander why it was such a success. Not only because of the performers but also the choreographer(Busby Berkeley) and the song writer (Harry Warren). In my opinion, both song(Shuffle Off to Buffalo) and dance brings emotional and fun respectively to the film.
This film genre's should be considered a culturally inheritance.This film was made right in the middle of one of the greatest economic downturn of history. And yet the film itself does not depict thankfully the economic depression of the 30s in terms of customs and social habits.However, we can see the tendency of the 30s and 40s of fashion elegance style even in the most precarious time. We can see ladies adorned with small plate shaped hats. The coats are interesting in their own right because they illustrate the 1930s theme of unity in fashion. Indeed,the early 1930s look with intricate seam details have been are a wonderful source of inspiration for modern fashion designers.
Moving on into performers we have a young and gorgeous Ruby Keeler playing the charm of innocence of a newcomer, giving 42nd Street a sweet touch. The magical movie star, Bebe Daniels makes attribution to her well honed fame of sex symbol and superb elegance. The male actor that best represents a typical example of this period is Julian Marsh (warner Baxter) ill and broke as result of the 1929. somehow he was from the beginning gambling is life by trusting the main part of the show to Peggy Sawyer(Ruby Keeler) to have enough money to retire.
I really recommend this film if you are interested in trend fashion and musical films.
The Glass Key (1942)
The Glass Key
The film is based on a classic criminal story by Dashiell Hammett. There have been two films adaptations of the novel, both in the same decade. Also it seems that the plot inspired other scenes such as in Yojimbo (1961)by Akira Kurosawa.
Janet (Veronica Lake), the daughter of Henry falls in love with Madvig's right hand man, Ed Beaumont (Alan Ladd). The first scene when they meet makes the film very attracted. In my opinion, Veronica's elegant way of flirting and Alan loyalty capture the viewers right the at beginning. Ed Beaumont (Alan Ladd) believes on his corrupt boss,Paul Madvig (Brian Dovely) and protects him right until the end of the film. This leads to him investigating the murder of the son of the local senator. Although this means having to renounce to Janet (Veronica Lake). There is an expecting ending with Beaumont solving the case and Madving giving his blessing for the couple.
Le journal d'une femme de chambre (1964)
Morality
The film makes an unusual and perceptive study of human morality the situations depicted in the film may be exaggerated and set in another era, but Luis Bruñel manages to strike an easy resonance with us-the viewers.
Although the film spends a lot of time showing the bourgeois and their entourage, the film is mainly concerned with the morally ambiguous chambermaid, Célestine (played by Jeanne Moreau) and the strange servant Joseph. The shifting relationship between Célestine and Joseph is constantly surprising and we never really know what either of the characters is playing at. Neither character can claim moral superiority Célestine is ultimately shown to be a spineless opportunist and Joseph a possible murderer.
The ending of the film, a sober moment which presages the inevitable rise of fascism in Europe, also sends a shiver down the spine, even if it feels frustratingly disconnected from the rest of the film.
Chocolat (2000)
Chocolat
I enjoyed very much the book and the film enhanced the magic of the story. I liked the idea that chocolate can change people even the most sour ones. The message of the film is that there is always a solution for every difficult circumstance in our life's- in a shape and taste of a piece of chocolate in this case. This romantic comedy gives a sense of 1959 town in Europe where religion has a great importance. In my opinion, Julliette Binoche plays a sweet and caring role-a personification of her own personal attributes. Whether Jonny Deep gives life to Roux a traveler who music brings joy to the town.
The film is best see in French and then subtitled in your mother tongue so the romanticism does not get lost in translation, also because the film is set in Lansquenet, France.