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The African Queen (1951)
Seldom is so much accomplished in a film with so little
Finally watched this film for the first time. Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart are both at their best that i've ever seen. If I'd known the film was 1:45 long, and the vast majority was on a small boat with only two actors exchanges with each other, I would have assumed that the film would be incredibly slow and boring. If it was made (or rebooted, please don't) today, i'm afraid it would be. That is simply not true with the African Queen. Both characters are incredibly complex and relatable. Hepburn is pious and tenacious, but also reckless. Bogart is rough around the edges and seems uneducated, but incredibly gentle and self-sacrificing. Their relationship grows throughout this movie in a way I've never seen before.
The one thing that I appreciated most about this love story, is that they fell in love near the beginning. The rest of the film focuses on their sacrifices they make for each other, and the ways they complete each other. I've never seen a film SHOW without telling that these two people could not have accomplished what they did without each other. Inspiring for me in my marriage, and full of beautiful moments. Truly a classic. They really don't make movies like this one anymore.
The Trial (1993)
Very hard to follow, emotionally distant
Like multiple critic reviews of this film, I had a very hard time feeling anything for Joseph K. Mostly, in my opinion, because I felt like even he was in on parts of the plot that I wasn't privy to. The story was always bouncing from one character to the next and the dialogue was so abstract that I had a very hard time even understanding what was going on up even to the ending.
One thing that i was struck by, was the atmosphere. The film was surreal without being too over-the-top. I felt like I was watching a horrible dream unfold where no one was sure whether or not what was happening was actually real.
Bottom line, I'd recommend this film to people who aren't into the Hollywood blockbusters, but rather like watching a film for the underlying themes. There is simply so little in this film that holds your attention (besides random sensual scenes), that most people including myself really won't find the film worth watching.
One last thing, don't get too excited about Anthony Hopkins in this film. He has a great performance for about 10 minutes near the end of the movie and that's it.