These are notes of films I’ve seen – in the cinema, on television or DVD. Rapidly amnesiac, I wanted a reminder of what each one was about and what I thought of it (and, sometimes, where I saw it: the usual venues are in and around London – most often, the British Film Institute and Curzon cinemas). In other words, these notes began as – essentially still are – a personal aide-mémoire but I hope they’re of wider interest too.
The films range chronologically from The Birth of a Nation (1915) to The Birth of a Nation (2016) and beyond. The vast majority of the notes are on cinema films; there are a few pieces on television drama. Most of the notes have been produced since 2008, though several are much older. The viewing date is indicated at the end of each note.
The notes often contain details of storyline and denouement – spoiler warnings are rarely given.
I watched the 2011 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy last night and came across your review of it this morning. I enjoyed reading it and agree with your comment on Oldman as chosen for his anonymity: I’d thought he was very good in True Romance and Leon, but a quick dekko at Churchill didn’t suspend my disbelief and I don’t think he earned his wages in TTSS, either.
Refreshing to have found a vein of criticism unafraid of being critical: I’ve tried Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic but previously the best quality judgments I’ve come across has been in the Comments section to a best movies article in The Guardian. There’s an awful volume of this stuff to get through, (I dislike most Hollywood output, hate sleb adoration culture and find a lot of British films to be mawkish and self-indulgent), so it’s useful to have you critics to pre-filter it for us. Cheers.
TTSS [Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy] (2011) was very flash. Liked the music somewhat. And I like to repeat to myself, “He says there’s a mole at the TOP of the circus, and he’s been there for YEARS.” But otherwise—too sexy, and not long on substance. Haven’t cracked the Alec Guinness version yet.
Dear Old Yorker,
It’s a real thrill to read your fine review of Huston’s “Freud.” I especially adored your final sentence: ” the originality and daring of Montgomery Clift’s acting chimes with Freud’s pioneering achievements in a much more exciting way.” Such insight is rare, and always a pleasure to bump into on the internet.
I am looking for the film, Mrs Silly (TV), still can’t find it. Would you mind letting know where see or buy the film. Thank you
You’ll have seen from my review that I saw ‘Mrs Silly’ at the British Film Institute (BFI). As far as I know, it isn’t available to buy or watch online – though you may like to contact BFI to see if they know otherwise. Sorry not to be able to help.
Re: Renoir’s La bête humaine
There does seem to be something of what we might pedantically call the “sins of the father fin de siecle zeitgiest” at work in Zola’s novel (still present even in Renoir’s updated film). One thinks of Ibsen’s Ghosts, where the father’s dissolute behavior passes syphilis along to his son; Oscar Wilde’s Salome (and later the Strauss opera based on it), where the father’s debauched attachment to his step-daughter–and niece!–provoke untoward behavior; the von Hofmannsthal/Strauss Elektra (sins of the father AND mother–but you get the point!), where the House of Atreus curse works its way through another generation–and where promise of Athena’s proposed resolution is nowhere to be seen.
Your essay on Elle was hilarious. Thanks for the thoughtful reviews.
Hi – I stumbled on your site while searching for information on “The Heiress” and really have been enjoying your takes on various films that are dear to me. Would you consider at some point putting together a list of some of your favorite films? I think I’ve found a few of them in reading through the reviews, but I love discovering films via the recommendations of others.
(Also, one small housekeeping note, the link to “Trouble in Paradise” in the Index of Films by Year does not work. I had to find it via the alphabetical list.)
Keep up the great work – I look forward to enjoying more of your commentaries.
Thanks for your message, including the heads-up about the duff link, which I hope is now fixed! I’ll send you a separate email re favourite films.
Thank you – I look forward to your email with the list of films.
I don’t know if you’ve seen this but Martin Scorsese announced that his foundation is going to be showing (online) a recently restored version of “I Know Where I’m Going” on May 9, 2022, along with interviews with Thelma Schoonmaker and others. You can sign up to watch it here:
https://delphiquest.com/film-foundation/restoration-screening-room/i-know-where-im-going
[I see that you haven’t written on the film yet, so you might enjoy seeing it!]
Many thanks – I’m posting this since the link in your message will be of interest to others too. Email will be on its way to you shortly …