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Reviews
Undercurrent (1946)
Let's Rename it "Undercooked."
I generally only write reviews when I can be positive — but really, when you've included such greats as Robert Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Robert Mitchum, couldn't someone have found a better, less implausible script? Yes, Dana Andrews did fall in love with Laura before meeting her in that wonderful film named after that great character. But as Laura, Gene Tierney had enough personality and charisma to pull it off. While I normally admire Robert Mitchum's wonderful acting skills, in this movie, Mitchum's character had no pizazz whatsoever — nada, zilch, nothing. Okay, so maybe Robert Taylor's character was a murderous thief, but at least you could stay awake when he opened his mouth. And I've never seen Hepburn appear so lackluster. After her performances in African Queen and Philadelphia Story, what a disappointment.
It's generally okay when movies stretch our credulity IF there are other aspects to compensate — for example, leg-slapping hilarity or intensely moving drama, but to me, Undercurrent just comes across as lame and foolish. My favorite part is that no less than three characters in the movie can play the same song on the piano. And Brahms Symphony No. 3 isn't exactly chopsticks. Don't waste your evening.
Nazi Agent (1942)
Patriotic Without being Soapy
Summary: Patriotic But not Soapy *** This review may contain spoilers ***
This is the story of twins who may have looked identical and grown up in the same household in pre-WWII Germany, but who are worlds apart, well, in just about everything. One immigrated to America while the other remained in Germany to serve the Nazis. While Otto was kind and caring, loving his adopted country, Hugo was more than eager to carry out Nazi plans to sabotage American interests. It must have been amazingly difficult to produce a movie which shows true patriotism without making the moviegoer roll his eyes. Somehow, most of us seem to have been programmed against such films. But this film was patriotic without being soapy.
SPOILER ALERT: The last scene tore at my heart. Okay, the music in the scene was a little too much, but if you'll mute your TV and watch the look on Veidt's face when on the way to his death he sees the Statue of Liberty, well, it made me remember that America really is worth fighting for. I needed to see that movie. Perhaps you need to as well.
And how ironic. Conrad Veidt had few opportunities to play anything other than an evil Nazi (this film being one of them). And yet all the while, most of his paychecks were spent to support the allies against the forces of his own native land, Germany! As I read a little about Veidt after watching the movie, I wondered if perhaps this film was the only real opportunity the man ever had as an actor to display his incredibly strong love of freedom.
Indiscreet (1988)
Better than the Cary Grant Version
Just because Cary Grant was amazing in An Affair to Remember doesn't mean he was great in every movie in which he appeared. As much as I love Cary Grant, I have to tell you that Robert Wagner was much better in this particular role. The classic scene toward the beginning sets the tone. Anne (played beautifully by an absolutely gorgeous Lesley- Anne Down) descends the stairs with her face totally covered in cold cream. The scene actually approaches Scarlet when she first sees Clark Gable at the bottom of the stairs. For there is Robert Wagner -- unbelievably handsome -- seeing Anne for the first time. It's absolutely scrumptious. And the fun continues as Anne learns that Robert Wagner's been lying to her over the entire course of their relationship. The truth is that when I saw the more famous version of this movie, I thought it was negligible entertainment. Then years later when I discovered this version of Indiscreet, I was more than pleasantly surprised. My favorite lines: : Lesley-Anne Down: "Will you kiss me before I die?"
Robert Wagner: "Are you going to die soon?,
Lesley-Anne Down: "Yes, if you don't kiss me!"