Last Movie You Watched

[hopefullytrusting]

A true throwback: Rigoletto (1993)



First, the music is the whole reason to watch this movie. Second, you watch this movie because it is earnest. But, this is not family-friendly, unless you have a truly warped mind - I won't spoil what happens, but something horrific happens, and the way they resolve it - is not fairytale-like, which I think was their aim, at least not an American fairytale, lol.

In fact, this draws on one of my main fears as a black in the Unites States - Sundown Towns, and why I always meticulously plan out my trips (for example, I drove from Chicago to Las Cruces, at least 3 times - 21 hour trip - look at the states I had to drive through - all my stops were preplanned, lol).

In the end, I find this movie charming for the music and the earnestness of the actors (think Treasures in the Snow, a similarish film, but without the kickass OST).

[JBS]

A true throwback: Rigoletto (1993)



First, the music is the whole reason to watch this movie. Second, you watch this movie because it is earnest. But, this is not family-friendly, unless you have a truly warped mind - I won't spoil what happens, but something horrific happens, and the way they resolve it - is not fairytale-like, which I think was their aim, at least not an American fairytale, lol.

In fact, this draws on one of my main fears as a black in the Unites States - Sundown Towns, and why I always meticulously plan out my trips (for example, I drove from Chicago to Las Cruces, at least 3 times - 21 hour trip - look at the states I had to drive through - all my stops were preplanned, lol).

In the end, I find this movie charming for the music and the earnestness of the actors (think Treasures in the Snow, a similarish film, but without the kickass OST).

The Wikipedia entry for that film sounds nothing like your description!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoletto_(1993_film)

[hopefullytrusting]

The Wikipedia entry for that film sounds nothing like your description!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoletto_(1993_film)

Well, that synopsis isn't wrong, but that is not what the average person will takeaway from the the film, lol.

[ritter]

On DVD, Sacha Guitry's Les Perles de la couronne (The Pearls of the Crown), from 1937, starring the director himself, his then wife Jacqueline Delubac (his third of five), Arlettu, and Raimu. The music is by Jean Françaix.



A French historian and agents of, respectively, the Pope and the King of England, search for three pearls that allegedly had been part of a set of seven given to Catherine de' Medici by Pope Clement VII (the other four pearls are in the Imperial State Crown). The fate of the three pearls throughout the centuries is shown in historical flashbacks of deliberate inaccuracy. The final scenes are set aboard the famous S.S. Normandie...

Sometimes silly, sometimes hilarious, but always full of esprit. Very enjoyable!

[Papy Oli]

Raimu

What a very French reference   

[hopefullytrusting]

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)



This is a movie that would have never made it on my radar, but, out of boredom one day, I clicked on a clip of a scene with Gosling and Stone in it - the fight scene, and I was immediately drawn in - not only for how real, and funny, the fight was, but how accurate the surrounding acting and dialogue were - RomComs tend to avoid realism, so I was interested enough to invest time in the movie. That John Carroll Lynch, one of my favorite character actors, was in the scene, was my tipping point.

This is an all-cast: Carell, Gosling, Moore, Stone, Tomei, Bacon - all heavy hitters plus Lynch, for me, and a new discovery Jonah Bobo - who plays, I think, the most important pov character. This movie is charming, and Gosling is the glue - I am convinced that he can work with anyone and elevate them to the top of their game. Every scene he is in, even those with Stone, he is clearly the center of the universe, and he plays his role perfectly. The conflict that arises between him and Carrell is so natural, and you could tell that, off the set they probably shared real fondness for each other.

Another thing I loved about this movie is nothing was left lingering, and none of the jokes were played out - looking at you Helen Hunt and Meg Ryan. Yes, the story is a cliche, but it doesn't come off as one. It feels fresh, and it works because none of the conflicts are major, so the ending resolution is one grounded in the concrete, material conditions of reality, something that most RomComs never do, which is why they so often fail for me.

There really are no lessons to learn outside of things change when we get older, and I like that as well - moralizing is another thing that sinks most media.

All in all, this is a charming, loving movie and you will feel good, without suspending disbelief, by the end.

High recommendation. :-)

[ritter]

What a very French reference   

And I had forgotten to mention Arletty, another very French reference. 

She portrays a politically incorrect —by today's standards— but hysterically funny 16th century Queen of Abyssinia.

[Papy Oli]

And I had forgotten to mention Arletty, another very French reference. 

Atmosphère, Atmosphère...

That's going back !!

That said, a mention of Mexico in a random discussion in our household earlier made me channel my inner Luis Mariano!!! Not much better 

Mexi-iiiii-coooooo