FilmFanatic.org

Synopsis:
A Spanish photographer named Gustavo (Antonio Resines) spends the summer in New York, where he struggles to learn English, tries to sell his work to a big-name magazine, and woos a beautiful Spanish expatriate (Beatriz Perez Porro).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Immigrants and Immigration
• New York City
• Photographers
• Spanish Films

Review:
Writer/director Fernando Colomo clearly based much of this semi-autobiographical film on his own experiences as a visitor in the United States. He perfectly captures the frustration of not being able to understand or speak the language around you, and of expats’ tendency to latch on to those few who do. Yet the story itself fails to compel, mostly because Gustavo’s stubborn insistence on trying to sell his photos of New York buildings (which, by the way, we never see) doesn’t make any sense; when told very gently yet directly that the kind of work he’s created has already been done, he doesn’t seem to take the hint. Similarly, he continues to pursue a young woman (Porro) who’s never expressed any interest in him. Worst of all, however, is the film’s ending, which is enormously unsatisfying. Overall, this one is a disappointment.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• An honest depiction of the language difficulties faced by immigrants and expatriates in America

Must See?
No.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review

Synopsis:
When a private investigator (Gene Hackman) is hired to bring a runaway (Melanie Griffith) back home to her mother (Janet Ward) in L.A., he unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a multiple murder mystery.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Arthur Penn Films
• Detectives and Private Eyes
• Gene Hackman Films
• James Woods Films
• Murder Mystery
• Runaways

Review:
Arthur Penn’s Night Moves is smart ’70s noir — a psychological thriller with multiple twists and turns. Gene Hackman is perfectly cast as Detective Moseby, and is surrounded by fine supporting actors — including Susan Clark (Webster’s mom in the 80’s television show “Webster”) as his philandering wife; Jennifer Warren as the mysterious, earthy blonde who uses Moseby in unexpected ways; young Melanie Griffith as a runaway teen; and James Woods (ever smarmy) in an early bit part. Alan Sharp’s screenplay makes good use of settings in both Florida and L.A., and never gets stale — we’re continually kept guessing as to what will come next. Definitely worth checking out.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Gene Hackman as Moseby (nominated by Peary as one of the Best Actors of the Year in his Alternate Oscars)
  
• Susan Clark as Moseby’s wife
  
• Jennifer Warren as the mysterious, over-tanned Paula
  
• Melanie Griffith as the sexpot runaway
  
• Good use of distinctive settings in both L.A. and Florida
  

Must See?
Yes. This edgy detective thriller is one-of-a-kind. Listed as a Cult Movie and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary’s book.

Categories

• Important Director
• Noteworthy Performance(s)

Links:

• IMDb entry
• Roger Ebert’s Review
• DVD Savant Review
• TCM Article
• Time Out Capsule Review

Synopsis:
After meeting at a family wedding, a woman (Marie-Christine Barrault) and her distant cousin (Victor Lanoux) become friends and then lovers, while their philandering spouses (Guy Marchand and Marie-France Pisier) get increasingly jealous.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• French Films
• Infidelity
• Romantic Comedy

Review:
This lilting French comedy — essentially a tale of romantic revenge — is listed as a cult movie in the back of Peary’s book, and was remade in 1989 as Cousins, starring Isabella Rossellini and Ted Danson. It’s easy to understand why American audiences were so taken with it, given that it represents a decidedly “European” approach to love and marriage — one which allows for an unconventional, free-spirited attitude towards extra-marital affairs. From the beginning of the film, we’re made to sympathize with the long-suffering Barrault and Lanoux, who accept their spouses’ philandering with an air of insouciant sadness; once they discover their attraction for one another other, we can’t help but cheer them on, because their spouses deserve to worry and wonder. A frothy souffle, but worth a look.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• A light-hearted look at infidelity and sexual mores in the 1970s
  
• Marchand breaking things off with his six extra-marital lovers
  

Must See?
No, but it’s recommended for one-time viewing.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• Roger Ebert’s Review