Saturday, October 21, 2006
CLASSICAL COLLISION
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
Night of the Hunter (1955)with Robert MItchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish.
It was directed by Charles Laughton and written by James Agee. A prestige production.
It is done in the American Gothic style and is terribly self conscious. Bold strokes. Lots of air time between.
There is country singin' and guitar playin' and background choirs and all.
The acting could be called either 'classical' or wooden. I chose to take it as the latter.
The pacing could be taken as measured and ominous or slow and tedious. I took the latter.
I liked Robert Mitchum and he is very good in this film. Shelley Winters is almost unwatchable.
I don't know why Ebert (the link) comes down on the side of genius but I take his point.
I baled out. Speed dial.
I will give this a 2 out of Netflix5.
I am sorry to do it. I was looking forward to the film but I just couldn't hack it.
