Sunday, May 11, 2008
LUBITSCH
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Ernst Lubitsch'
with James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan and Joseph Schildkraut.
This is light stuff but so well done that it comes across strong and compelling.
The editing and cinematography are surprising especially given the small, virtually one-set production. It is a smallish luggage/gift shop. Cameras swoop through doors, long shots move through the store, doors close in one cut and open in another.
The technique does not intrude. It is just noticable if you are looking for it. What it does is give the film a push and rhythm that keeps the energy going.
Lubitsch was very good at making great moment out of small situations and Stewart and Sullivan are particularly good at that here.
I remember Stewart from later films where his persona had been hardened but in this he is fresh and very much alive—and sexy too.
I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Much is made of the fact that this is the film from which You've Got Mail was made.
Mail can't hold a candle to the original. One more piece of data for the 'no remakes' rule.
