Review of The Children's Hour (1961) by Reginald R — 05 Jul 2005

Arw...

Station Agent has two interesting characters: the anti-social little person and the over-social regular guy. Maybe it also could've concentrated a little more on that relationship. The female isn't as good. And a lot of the drama I just wasn't buying. Why all the cliches? So there's a couple of these little flaws, but overall it's a really refreshing and lovable film. Railroads are great, and so are trains.

Before Sunset. It bugs me that I wasn't able to watch the first film again and find out why on earth I didn't like it the first time I saw it. Before Sunset is great. The text has just the right amount of realism, and still keeping the dialogue interesting. Some very nice insights on relationships and such. The characters aren't the type I would regularily be very crazy about. I propably wouldn't like them at all if the film they was in was any less great than this one, but who knows, anyways that's not important. The characters are very believable, and their interaction is just great. You could just soak yourself in all the nuances and finesse. Splendidly french sort of filmmaking.

Missouri Breaks is a unique and fine western starring Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando. The film relies commendably little in dumb conventions of it's genre. Nicholson fits perfectly in his part. Brando's performance as a quirky man hunter is very over-the-top, which just brings it's own little spice to the mix.

William Wyler's Children's Hour is an old-fashioned film with a new-fashioned subject matter. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine are accused of lesbianity. Which is nice. MacLaine has the more interesting part, Hepburn does a routine job, her cliched role doesn't allow much convincingness. That's all I remember. Very good film. Check it out.´.

To Catch a Thief is one of the prettier Hitchcock pictures. Gorgeous southern france outdoors shots blend together seamlessly with studio takes. Less suspense and more sunny comedic dialogue. Grace Kelly looks incurably like a duck and doesn't this time even have an interesting take on her character. Cary Grant has no trouble being as charming as ever.