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Reviews
Twice Round the Daffodils (1962)
Kenneth Williams
The movie itself to quote Benny Hill is a bit like "bossom"...neither one thing nor the other. Meaning not a drama, nor a comedy.
For me, it is bitter sweet, without the sweet, and THAT all revolves around the enormous sadness I feel in seeing the great Kenneth Williams "playing" normal.
I have long been a fan of Williams. Firstly, hamming it up in his corny roles in the Carry On movies, but then much more deeply in seeing what a brilliantly gifted raconteur he was when ever on a talk show or being interviewed, followed by the marvelous "Fantabulosa" with Michael Sheen.
How horrific for this wonderful talent to endure the life he endured, and for it to end the way it did.
So, to watch him "playing normal" in this movie is quite heart breaking in the regard of how much I wish the poor devil could have had some level of normalcy in his real life.
Vale, Kenneth. Thank you so much for the joy you have given me, and I am so sorry how rough your life was.
The Picture Show Man (1977)
Brilliant! A great movie. Bravura performance by Meillon!
A truly wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable,movie.
Meillon's performance as Pym, is the best occupation and portrayal of a character I have seen.
Much as Richard Harris WAS Bull McCabe in,"The Field", Meillon isn't acting as the picture show man, he IS The Picture Show Man.
In a magnificent characterization, Meillon portrays Pym's self important, sometimes arrogant bravado, and indignant, self righteous braggadocio, flawlessly.
His thinly disguised fragility, self doubt, sensitivity, sadness and feigned confidence, contrast with his determination, tenacity and undeniable,indefatigable optimism, perseverance and indomitable spirit, in the face of continual adversity.
Pym's aggrandizement of both himself and his "magnificent" enterprises, knows no bounds. He has grandiose, but seemingly to all others, forlorn and futile plans for bigger and better things. "If he gets the right proposition"
His self perceived guile comes to the fore when he charms, but dismisses, the inept potential female pianist. And then converts the negative factors he used to dissuade her, to positives, to enchant and attract the excellent male pianist.
Throughout, he tries to seem "on top of things," when all evidence points to the opposite. He disregards and denigrates the "modern", especially those wretched cars and dangerous electricity.
It seems that the life of the picture show man, Pym, has been dogged by a series of setbacks and failures, but undaunted and undiminished, on he strives. This unconquerable enthusiasm and childlike hope for better things and success, are just some of the traits that make Pym so endearing.
I wish we knew what happened between him and Mrs Pym. I sense it was sad.
He tries to hide his softness and weakness with bluff and bluster, for example the race horse incident. But Meillon's brilliant, melancholic face, great timing and superb acting, showed the character's real feelings of sadness, hurt, care and remorse.
Pym's softness, naivety and gullibility are never more evident than in his dealings with the "fairer sex." In spite of his very best endeavors using "his" form of charm, things turn sour, when, as in his business dealings,he is confronted by those far better at "playing the game."
The supporting cast is fantastic, with Hopkins playing the awkward, naive, reticent, mildly brow beaten, but loving son. Taylor as the upstart "Yank," who Pym taught everything to, is exceptionally good.
John Ewart is absolutely superb in his role as the cheeky, confident bright, cheery, talented, loyal, pianist.
The story is a lovely, gentle, rolling, period yarn, and the footage of country Australia is wonderful. The accompanying music is fantastic. Again, Meillion's performance in the songs he sings ranges from hilarious to bitter, sweet poignancy. With "Tap Tap on my window," being a classic case of the latter. In reality he is a broken down old song and dance man at heart. A throw back to Vaudeville or dance halls.
I am Australian, and not one to gush over movies, but I thought this movie was wonderful in every regard. I heartily recommend it.
A Rather English Marriage (1998)
The Best of British
Could not have enjoyed this movie more. Albert Finney..simply the best, but also brilliantly supported by Lumley and Courtenay. What a combination and what interpretations by these fantastic actors. Talk about understated, the scene where the "post stroke" Squadron Leader says he knew Liz didn't love him, but his love for her was all that mattered to him, and upon that basis he was willing to marry her, took about 20 seconds, but boy did it carry some weight. To all concerned..Well Done.If you have enjoyed this movie I recommend you see any Albert Finney film because I've never known him to be anything less than brilliant
The King (2007)
Very disappointing.
I was exceptionally disappointed with this film.
I have absolutely no qualms with the makers of the movie portraying Graham Kennedy as a troubled person, but the entire movie had a sombre, depressing, almost dour tone.
The lighting and the music were intentionally dull, dreary and heavy, and there were very few scenes from Kennedy's hilarious shows and skits. Why the director has chosen this approach is beyond me, when one considers that the overriding atmosphere that Kennedy created way joyous and light. As I say, no issue with portraying Kennedy as they did, but to make the whole movie a downer...I didn't enjoy that.
There was virtually no exploration of the personal relationships between Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton or Noeline Brown. There was minimal insight into why Graham was the way he was portrayed in the movie. For a character and era about which so much is already known, this movie did not provide ANY enlightenment or new information. I found there to be very little depth to the movie.
A pity really, because the subject of the film was/is so powerful and interesting,it should have led to a truly memorable movie.
Stephen Curry's performance was magnificent. Just a great shame that he wasn't give MUCH more to work with.
Some minor points, when films have to "trick" certain scenes up with lighting, eg. The scene where Kennedy is being offered Blankety Blanks, you know they're in trouble. Also no mention of "Travelling North" or of "Coast to Coast" in which Graham Kennedy was brilliant.
I only gave the movie 5 out of 10 because the subject matter was so excellent.