Friday, April 14, 2006
EALING
When I was in college and a bit beyond, the Ealing Studios in Great Britain put out a string of classic comedies that had their own unique character.
One could look forward to them with reasonable expectation of good solid enjoyment. Not only were they funny, in their dry Brit way, but they were also rather good films; complex and not obvious takes on human nature.
Today we saw an example of the body of work. It is obviously chosen as the Best of the lot for the Best 1176 Films; another niche choice.
I had never seen
as it came before I was in Boston to see it.
But, it is a trifecta. It has the Ealing brand and stars both Alec Guiness and Stanley Holloway; the first, a great actor at all levels; the second, a classic comedian in the full Brit theater mold. That is Shakespeare to nuts for both of them.
The plot is a maelstrom. The main point is to get from point a to point b and the job is done very well.
I will only give this one a 3 because it is not the Best. That would be Kind Hearts and Coronets which is coming on the 'best' list or The Lady Killers (the original, not the terrible remake) which is not.
This one has a little too much potboiling to get to the point but the performances are wonderful.
I already said it. I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
