That movie is almost as brilliant as me.
though I love film, they can never be as brilliant as a person.
---
Yesterday I watched William Wyler's
Jezebel. I do love William Wyler, his films are both accessible and interesting. Like Satyajit Ray, he can have a very arbitrary scene taking place, and then it will click with me what the film is really about, and I will start to cry. Bette Davis was good, but I think she's done better.
I also saw Andrzej Wajda's
A Generation from his War Trilogy. I think you have to have something of a vested interest in Polish politics to get the most out of Wajda's films; they're quite context specific. Nevertheless, universal themes of political passion in the youth were explored, as well as love. East European countries seem to have a common undercurrent of the youth being politically involved. I somewhat envy the passion their environment elicits. It makes me question the real wealth of prosperity. I also like how Wajda incorporates strong women in his films: firstly with his masterpiece
Kanal, but also in
A Generation, with the political leader, Dorota. There's also an early, hairy legged performance from Roman Polanski.
Finally, I watched
Bad Lieutenant. As I mentioned in my Criticker review, I felt it would have worked much better had it remained something of a nihilistic documentary of degradation. It had value there, and I found it mesmerizing. Instead it "evolved" into some religious redemption nonsense that completely ruined it for me. Nevertheless, great direction/camera work/cinematography, and an impressive bod on Keitel.
Serpico's on tonight. Might give that a go.
Kanal is on TV in the UK on Thursday the 20th. An exceptional film with an almost psychosomatic representation of the isolating German invasion. You don't need to enjoy War movies to enjoy this one!