Thursday, June 27, 2013
THE GRAND TRADITION
Today's film was the film version of the Broadway success
starring Christopher Plummer as the nearly great and legendary actor.
The film is burdened by the addition of stuff which could not, fortunately, be done in a theater and, in fact should probably not be done at all. Effects, scenery. Fluff. An over eager "prompter" who provides a second banana feel in the way he is directed. The prompter's presence and hectoring is part of the drama but it is overdone.
That said, Plummers more than impersonation (I have seen the real John Barrymore, I am that old) is not only spot on but has the element of showing the insides of the man.
At first the show is a shock in that he comes on drunk and the whole thing is a botched practice for a later performance. The idea is that Barrymore wants a second chance. It is clear from this "rehearsal" that he is going to blow it. Tragic.
But it is also, he is, funny. A lot of old jokes refashioned as his own invention and some fresh wit. He does see himself pretty clearly. Knows he is going under and is willing to let it happen but not just yet.
Plummer is really great. He acts this thing in the grand tradition which we do not see any more. Anywhere. Even in the British theater as far as I know.
It is that full throated voice and dialect that throws the sound to the second balcony. It is the roll of consonants that makes them sound and bound from wall to wall.
This may be the last that we will see of it. Plummer, of course, doesn't do this himself anymore but he demonstrates that he could and he does.
These are the electric moments that are worth waiting for, through the little cinematic touches that do not belong.
This would be a 2 out of Netflix5 except for the kick of seeing Plummer remind us of what used to be.
Labels: films
