Tuesday, July 21, 2009
YAWN
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Peter Bogdanovich'
Answer to question? Not much.
This has Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. One humorless egomaniac, for whom this is a vehicle, and one bland, almost talentless actor to stay out of the way of her big scenes.
Far funnier are Madeline Kahn (photo) and Kenneth Mars as well as other second bananas.
The film is filled with comic clichés and is obviously meant as a "remake" of the classic screwball comedy of the thirties and forties.
In this regard it fails as it lacks the real conflict between rich and poor, high and low art, repellant then attractive lovers. There is no spark between Ryan and la Barbra (without an a) at all.
And I don't like her. Never did, never will. But that isn't it.
Can you have a joyless comedy? Bogdanovich has done it.
Kahn and Mars would do better in the leads.
And so on. Bitch, cavil and complain.
I am giving this a 2 out of Netflix5. I didn't skip but not because I didn't want to. I was waiting for more Madeline Kahn.
Labels: best films
