What do you do in your spare time when you stay without your internet
connection for a few days? Read? Go out for a walk? I decided to watch some
older movies which were luckily already downloaded on my computer and were
waiting for my attention. I love old movies, especially classics from 50s and
60s with Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. I also admire thrillers from
Hitchcock and if I leave all that sex scandals behind endless monologues from
70s written by Woody Allen. My best part is to closely observe fashion, makeup,
scenes and environment.
This mini marathon was focused on Woody Allen and Marilyn Monroe. I
already watch all three movies before and knew the story, but that never stops
me from watching again. Each time I discover something new and still get
excited. I like to watch Marilyn’s acting, her sexy confidence and
vulnerability at the same time. Woody is interesting and makes life often so
complicated. He always represents relationships as complex and realistic and
never ads sugar coating what I like about him.
Annie Hall 1977
Oscar winning Annie Hall a year ago celebrated 40th
anniversary and that was my last year’s inspiration to watch it, this year at
about the same time I did a reprise.
Annie is strong, independent, but emotionally very unstable person. She
likes art, books and has her strong believes and opinions. Firstly, she gets
involved into affair with married man, and then she falls in love with his best
friend (character played by Woody Allen). Annie tries so hard to find her happiness
with him; she also loads herself with work, but doesn’t succeed. Such dynamic
life and turbulent relationships are too much for her.
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Diane Keaton who played Annie said that this was the easiest movie to
film in her entire career and I believe that this shows up. She is so
authentic, dialogs are realistic and interesting. There’s again a lot of small
talk, typical for Woody, which never sounds fake or direct from such stiff
script. Movie is also visually appealing, because of Annie’s interesting fashion
choices. Her wardrobe became very popular at that time. Annie Hall is Woody’s
most commercialized film and won two Oscars.
Manhattan 1979
Another Woody’s gem, probably my favorite. Gorgeous long intro,
dedicated to New York, accompanied with Gershwin music, all recorded in black
and white. I don’t mind black and white movies, although you can’t see so many
details. It beautifully captures the pulse of the city in late 70s along with
sentimental view to old WTC. Selection of complicated past and present love
stories with yet standard cast, Woody Allan and his former real life lover
Diane Keaton, this time joined by young Meryl Streep. We also follow,
especially for that time, a bit controversial love story between 42 years old
man and 17 years old girl. Can this type of relationship have a happy ending?
Is this king of love real, or is just an example of so called daddy complex?
Movie is dynamic, full of energy, small talk and undulating dialogs.
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Seven year itch 1955
This is Marilyn’s most recognizable movie. It involves that famous
scene, when her iconic white dress get’s uplifted by air of passing subway train.
This scene was supposedly on of the cause of a divorce from her second husband.
Anyway, it’s a romantic comedy where Monroe plays sexy new neighbor of middle
aged man, who stays home alone after sending his family on summer vacation out
of the city. He is strongly trying not to get involved with her and destroying
his marriage, but invites her to his apartment for a drink anyway. They also
got out for a date and later he feels strong regret and even gets slightly mad
at some moments. He lives ˝dangerously˝ and on the edge for two days and then
decides to rather join his wife and gets out of town. Simple, often
predictable, but still effective and humorous scenario. I like Marilyn’s soft,
occasionally whispering voice and how she can act so silly. I enjoy watching
her thoughtful onscreen movement; I just wish I had her confidence. Her private
life was allegedly the whole opposite of this, but I like her with all her
flaws and attributes.
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