Reviews of movies directed by Billy Wilder.
Tuesday, July 22nd 2008
Grade: A+
Synopsis: A woman (Barbara Stanwyck) entices an insurance agent (Fred MacMurray) to help her murder her husband.
Double Indemnity is a superior film noir from director Billy Wilder in which everything works, even though most of it shouldn’t.
The script shouldn’t work. Screenwriters Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder didn’t get along at all, with Chandler even storming out at one point, yet the result is a tight, engaging script full of crackling dialog.
The cast shouldn’t work. Wilder had a tough time finding a leading man, with many actors turning him down before he finally convinced Fred MacMurray to take the part, yet MacMurray seems tailor made for the role of Walter Neff, a sleazier shadow of Chandler’s more famous creation: Philip Marlowe. Barbara Stanwyck should look ridiculous in her blonde wig, yet it only serves to make her character seem both artificial and confident at the same time, and efficient bit of characterization. MORE »
Posted at 11:02 AM in Movie Reviews and Billy Wilder.
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Thursday, May 8th 2008
Grade: B+
Synopsis: A businessman (Humphrey Bogart) becomes alarmed when his younger brother’s (William Holden) romance with the chauffeur’s daughter (Audrey Hepburn) threatens a multi-million dollar deal.
Sabrina is an easy romantic comedy that works thanks to a great cast and director Billy Wilder’s uncanny ability to balance both comedy and drama.
Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden all work well together, with chemistry to spare, be it the attraction between Hepburn and Holden, the sibling rivalry between Holden and Bogart, or even the tender romance between Hepburn and Bogart, it all works. This is all the more impressive considering Bogart and Holden reportedly didn’t get along, and that Bogart had wanted his wife, Lauren Bacall for Hepburn’s role. Still, whatever tension existed off-set, none of it’s present onscreen. MORE »
Posted at 1:31 PM in Movie Reviews, Billy Wilder, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden.
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Monday, March 31st 2008
Grade: B+
Synopsis: A deranged and forgotten silent film star (Gloria Swanson) plans her comeback with the help of a hack screenwriter (William Holden).
Sunset Blvd. is a near-perfect expose of the dark side of Hollywood. Director Billy Wilder, along with writing partner Charles Brackett, paints a harsh picture of an ego grown monstrous after being fed for years by an adoring public, only to turn on itself once the public was no more. While this subject matter may not be the taboo it was in 1950, one need only turn on any celebrity newscast to see how relevant it is today. MORE »
Posted at 2:52 PM in Movie Reviews, Billy Wilder and William Holden.
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Friday, March 14th 2008
Grade: A+
Synopsis: A young man (Jack Lemmon) climbs the corporate ladder by loaning out his apartment to company executives for extramarital affairs.
The Apartment is one of the best movies ever made. It’s funny without being corny, it’s touching without being sappy, and it’s thought provoking without being preachy.
Most of the credit has to go to director Billy Wilder. With his writing partner I.A.L. Diamond, Wilder created an extraordinary script that seems as relevant today as it did almost fifty years ago. Further, Wilder’s impeccable sense of composition helps create a visually splendid film full of memorable images, each a reflection of loneliness, be it Jack Lemmon alone, yet surrounded by countless workers typing away, or Shirley McLane alone, yet surrounded by revelers at a New Year’s Eve party, these images stay with you long after the credits roll. MORE »
Posted at 1:23 PM in Movie Reviews and Billy Wilder.
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Wednesday, February 27th 2008
Grade: A+
Synopsis: After witnessing a mob hit, two Chicago musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) disguise themselves as women and join an all girl band bound for Miami.
Some Like It Hot is frequently voted the best comedy of all time and for good reason. Despite being almost 40 years old, Billy Wilder’s gem is every bit as funny today as it was the day it opened, loaded with classic dialog, great scenes, and memorable performances.
The script by director Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond is near perfect, doing a great job of blending drama, comedy and romance, without dating itself, or dragging on repeat viewings. Further, the closing line remains one of the greatest in movie history. MORE »
Posted at 6:29 PM in Movie Reviews, Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe.
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