Tuesday, August 11, 2009
FIFTH COLUMN
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
an adaptation of the Lillian Hellman play by Dashiel Hammett and starring Betty Davis and Paul Lukas.
This is a very good film depicting the pre-WWII atmosphere around Washington DC.
The situation in Europe has worsened but America is still a bit asleep on the subject.
Davis comes home to her family with her husband and children. The husband as been in the underground and is recovering from torture and the grind of his anti-fascist activities.
There is a would-be spy in the household. The plot is not too complicated.
The writing here and the acting is first rate. It is good to remember that this film was made before anyone knew how the War would turn out.
There is no heavy handed melodrama here. It is all realistic and, somehow, calm. Parts of the film are very moving.
I would not mind seeing this film again. I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
