While I agree with the general theme of the film--live life to its fullest--I cannot say that I find the film very successful. I had a grandmother who was rather flamboyant--artistic, outspoken, colorful, free-thinking. And genuine. It may be a minor point, but I find Mame's willingness to pretend to be what she is not ungenuine.
Would I want to know someone like Mame? Probably not. She is entertaining, but I think I would find her flightiness and exaggeration annoying.
I still recommend "Auntie Mame", but I cannot agree with those who place it among their pantheons of cinema. One wrote that Rosalind Russell was born to play the title role. She probably plays it as well as anyone could, but I must point to her role in "Picnic" as her crowning cinematic performance. One writer said that it's a long movie, but it goes by fast. I cannot agree. I felt it lagged, especially in the second half, and mostly during the fox hunt scene, which was out of place, as if purloined from "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."
I think the director wanted to maintain a reference with the (so successful) stage play by opting to end "acts" of the film with the stylish fade outs. I think the method is slightly too precious and self-conscious. The ending feels a little contrived in that manner. For comparison, I prefer the ending of "Camelot", with Richard Harris' touching lines.
The bottom line is that I think the film could have been more. There is plenty of acting talent on the screen.
Would I want to know someone like Mame? Probably not. She is entertaining, but I think I would find her flightiness and exaggeration annoying.
I still recommend "Auntie Mame", but I cannot agree with those who place it among their pantheons of cinema. One wrote that Rosalind Russell was born to play the title role. She probably plays it as well as anyone could, but I must point to her role in "Picnic" as her crowning cinematic performance. One writer said that it's a long movie, but it goes by fast. I cannot agree. I felt it lagged, especially in the second half, and mostly during the fox hunt scene, which was out of place, as if purloined from "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."
I think the director wanted to maintain a reference with the (so successful) stage play by opting to end "acts" of the film with the stylish fade outs. I think the method is slightly too precious and self-conscious. The ending feels a little contrived in that manner. For comparison, I prefer the ending of "Camelot", with Richard Harris' touching lines.
The bottom line is that I think the film could have been more. There is plenty of acting talent on the screen.