Reviews of movies with Cary Grant.
Tuesday, May 20th 2008
Grade: C-
Synopsis: While trying to navigate dangerous waters in a beat-up submarine, a captain (Cary Grant) contends with an unconventional executive officer (Tony Curtis) and a group of stranded army nurses.
Operation Petticoat is a charming little comedy that runs a bit too long.
Leads Cary Grant and Tony Curtis are a joy. They simply exude charisma, and their early interactions are the film’s highlight. Their performances, combined with the breezy plot make this a very easy movie to like. Toss in some great one-liners and you’ve got the makings of a classic.
Which is exactly what this movie would have been, had it only been 30 minutes shorter. MORE »
Posted at 12:56 PM in Movie Reviews and Cary Grant.
No responses
Monday, May 19th 2008
Grade: C-
Synopsis: During the Napoleonic Wars, a British navel officer (Cary Grant) and a Spanish guerrilla (Frank Sinatra) salvage a huge cannon to use against the French.
The Pride and the Passion is spectacularly produced epic featuring hundreds of extras, beautiful Spanish scenery, and several awesome sequences: including an attempt to transport massive cannon up and down a mountain, and the climactic assault on the fortified city of Avila.
That said, the film also suffers from some of the worst miscasting in history. Cary Grant’s last period piece was 1940’s The Howards of Virginia, after which he wisely swore off the genre. Admittedly, he acquits himself far better here, but he’s still ill suited for costume dramas and it shows. Even worse is Frank Sinatra, who’s just ridiculous as a Spanish guerrilla. At least Sophia Loren is passable as object of both men’s desires. MORE »
Posted at 4:39 PM in Movie Reviews, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.
No responses
Thursday, May 15th 2008
Grade: A-
Synopsis: A man (Cary Grant) pretends to be married while romancing an actress (Ingrid Bergman) in London.
Okay, here’s the thing: there’s not much to Indiscreet, but I love it anyway. If ever there was a movie that worked purely on the charisma of its two leads; Indiscreet is it.
Director Stanley Donen wisely gives as much screen time as possible to his stars, indeed there’s hardly a moment one of them isn’t on screen, and that’s why this breezy movie works. The artful sets, designer costumes, and charismatic leads simply hypnotize you for 100 minutes and before you know it, the end credits are rolling and you’ve got a smile on your face. MORE »
Posted at 3:41 PM in Movie Reviews and Cary Grant.
No responses
Wednesday, May 14th 2008
Grade: C-
Synopsis: A schoolteacher (Jean Arthur) hides a wanted man (Cary Grant) who poses as a gardener around her other tenant, a stuffy law professor (Ronald Colman).
The Talk of the Town is an uneven comedy-drama that benefits greatly from the presences of Cary Grant and Ronald Colman.
The film’s biggest problem is that it works far better as a drama than as a comedy. Whereas someone like Billy Wilder can blend the two genres seamlessly, The Talk of the Town often stutters and grinds when it attempts to change gears from drama to comedy. And that’s frustrating because it’s clear these hiccups aren’t insurmountable, and that simple rewrite or two by someone with Wilder’s talents could have overcome them, but, as is, the film is frustratingly uneven. MORE »
Posted at 1:01 PM in Movie Reviews and Cary Grant.
No responses
Monday, April 21st 2008
Grade: B
Synopsis: A young man (Cary Grant) becomes engaged to a rich heiress, only to find he may have more in common with her “black sheep” sister (Katharine Hepburn).
Holiday is a fun movie and light years better than stars Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn’s previous pairing, Bringing Up Baby (1938).
The key here is Hepburn, who thankfully isn’t asked to do much in the way of physical comedy and has a role that allows her to play a more down to earth character. The result is some great chemistry with Grant and a character that’s actually likable.
For his part, Grant gets a chance to show off with some of his vaudeville flips and tumbles, while pouring on the charm. Here, for the first time in his career, are the hints of how big a star Grant would become, in the way he effortlessly wins over not only Hepburn’s character, but the whole audience as well. MORE »
Posted at 2:33 PM in Movie Reviews and Cary Grant.
No responses
← older | newer →
