The Lion In Winter

I am pretty sure it doesn’t get any better than this… Anthony Hopkins, Peter O’Tool, and Timothy Dalton make up one of the best ensemble casts I have ever seen. Kate plays the irresistibly evil Eleanor of Aquitaine who is ruthlessly plotting against the equally unscrupulous Henry II played by O’Tool. These two make an incredible pair.

With all Eleanor's hateful bitterness Kate is still able to highlight her obvious love of Richard (Hopkins) the son she raised and loves above the other two. We learn he is her last hope of winning the battle of wits against Henry II (O’Tool) and with it her freedom. Kate is at her absolute best in this gem of a period pick. Which makes picking a favorite scene is difficult. Although she has several memorable scenes with O’Tool and Hopkins, her best can arguably be the monologue she has. A whole range of emotion is beautifully highlighted and we see her softer more vulnerable side of her character.  

It's an amazing film and one I have seen many times and expect to see again many more. The true test of an actor is how well they can articulate the complex web of emotions the character is feeling at any moment. And Eleanor is nothing if not deeply conflicted. Throughout the film O'Tool's Henry is constantly setting up scenarios that test Kate's loyalty and resolve and each time the pair end up in a stalemate. With all the angst and anger it brings. The two characters have major hatred and lust for each other and the result is positively electric. 

Another thing that I appreciate about this film is its straight forward feel, the production design isn't trying to make a statement or bring in clever references to the present. The film is set in 1100's Europe so it looks like 1100's Europe. They shot the film on location, the castle is dark and gloomy there are sparse furnishings and the king wears a plain brown outfit. In short its realistic. Now don't get me wrong I am the first to applaud beautiful costumes and well dressed sets when the story calls for it but in this case the choices made only improve the film. The costumes and set are not the center of the film the acting and story are. Which really makes a difference.

Suddenly Last Summer

Yay for tandem blogging! My great friend Phil came over to watch this film with me.  In honor of Elizabeth Taylor we decided to watch "Suddenly Last Summer".

  Kate is a widow attempting to clear the name of her deceased son Sebastian, she attempts to bribe a young doctor with a massive donation to his crumbling state hospital. He in turn is expected to perform a frontal lobotomy on Kate's niece Elizabeth Taylor (Catherine) who incidentally does not need to be cured of anything. It's very interesting to hear Tennessee Williams's dialogue, which is at time too witty to be real. Coupled with the melodramatic music it somehow works. Kate gets to say things like "Sebastian saw the face of God", "Madness is the most horrible doom their is on this earth".

Although Kate is Brilliant is this role the real stand out is Elizabeth Taylor. Her dramatic range as well as her impossibly tiny waistline are highlighted throughout the film. But the best Kate moment is a tie between her coming down in her little elevator and her snarkey comments to her relatives. The only complaint I can come up with (really not one as it could very easily be converted into a party game) is the frequent mention of the movies name “Suddenly Last Summer” … A bit overly dramatic yes but entertaining none the less.Very entertaining film and a must see for fans of Kate or Liz. By the by I am looking forward to seeing these two gems of the golden age of film together again when I watch Little Women. Stay tuned...

Sylvia Scarlett

First I must say that going into this experience I did not think that there would be a Katherine Hepburn film I did not like. Naive I know but that's what happens when you idolize someone.

This movie let me down. Which is odd because the cast included Cary Grant and Edmund Gwenn (aka Chris Kringle from Miracle on 34th street). The director, George Cukor brought, "My Fair Lady", "The Philadelphia Story" and "A Star is Born" to life. So what went wrong?

I think mostly it tried to do too much and it all went to pot. First it's an action film, then a tawdry soap opera, then a romantic comedy. It becomes exhausting! Luckily it does remind viewers that out of this kind of movie the screw- ball comedy emerged. And thank goodness it did because it gave rise to such greats as "Bringing Up Baby" .... stay tuned for that one!

Kate's best bit for me was when she was scamming the crowd of Londoners with her interpretation of a male French waif, who cannot speak a word of English and has been been scammed of his last dime. It was especially exciting when she broke character to admonish (in English) a man who attempts to steal from her donations, laughs hysterically and runs off. The daft stealing from the dafter.

In any case it is with great sadness that I would recommend that discerning movie goers skip this one, life is too short. Focus on the real gems from her career...

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

I saw this film before but I never watched it this closely. I am one of those people who never can sit still when I am watching TV, I am knitting or folding laundry or playing Angry Birds. But Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is one of those movies that makes you sit up and take notice.
Kate’s best scene has to be when she tells off her business partner.  A stuffy, bigot of a woman, I couldn’t help watching it over again. Kate’s delivery is peppered with enough sarcasm to show the viewer she means business but also with just the right amount of wit to make it a pleasure to watch. After all who doesn’t like seeing a snide, prig get her comeuppance?

The plot and theme of the movie were incredibly courageous back in 67. A time in American History when interracial marriage  was a crime in 17 states. But the duo of Tracy and Hepburn committed from the start even when his failing health meant his death was looming on the horizon. This was his last film. Kate won for best actress in the film. Restrained, brave, and infinitely gracious, she shines in this film. But hers is not the only stand out performance.

Sidney Poitier (need I say more?) commands every scene he’s in with so much control and energy that the viewer can’t help but feel drawn to him like a magnet. His monologue admonishing his father’s intolerance is so believably captures a wide range of emotions he feels toward this disapproving parent.

Another unexpected but  beautiful performance comes from Beah Richards who plays Mrs. Prentice Poitier’s mother, who like Kate approves wholeheartedly of the marriage. Her speech to Tracy is absolutely incredible! It’s the real turning point of the movie and allows him to see the error of his ways. Her delivery brought me to tears. She is speaking such beautiful truisms like “I believe those two young people need each other like they need the air to breath in.” It’s hard to imagine that any viewer would not be touched by her performance.

The supportive Irish priest played by Cecil Kellaway performance also provides a much needed breath of fresh air, to otherwise emotionally heavy tone. The scene when he tries, unsuccessfully, to talk sense into his long time friend Matt (Tracy) is especially entertaining. But his openness, and his unblemished kindness and support is a wonderful representation of what I wish more catholic authority figures would embody.  A very nice surprise!

Of course I must mention the elements of the 60′s themselves, the music, the clothes, the cars, the art in Christina (Hepburn’s) gallery. On a darker note we also know it’s the 60′s because of the pervasive intolerance. Tilley the maid, the cab driver, and Hepburn’s business partner make no effort to hide their obvious disapproval this interracial couple. We also hear a litany of descriptors of African Americans which are blessedly no longer used in movies.

There is a reason this film is a classic. It’s smart, expertly written and  filled with remarkable performances. But more than any of these characteristics Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is worth watching and re watching because it has a heart, and a poignant message that is relevant today. That love transcends  race, and that it is the most important part of life.

Movie Geeks Unite!

I think it is an undisputed fact that Katherine (with a K, mind you) Hepburn is one of the most supremely talented American actresses of all time.  Her voice, her demeanor, and her infectious style, echo the standards of old Hollywood.   With all that in mind I have decided to watch, or re-watch every Katherine Hepburn movie made (51 in all according to IMDB), and blog about each one of them. There won’t be a time limit.  I am extremely excited to start this journey!

A quick shout out to a  dear friend of mine who is currently taking on the monumental task of  watching 365 films in as many days and bloging about them. My blog is inspired by his example and efforts. Thank you for everything Phil.
Please enjoy!