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Of Human Bondage (1946)
A Revelation
***slight spoiler*****
I just finished watching Of Human Bondage on TCM. I kept thinking throughout as Paul Henried limped around how that man can wear the hell out of a suit.
To add to what others have said, I was surprised by this version of the film. I was expecting a dull rendition, especially after the tours de force by Davis and Howard in an earlier rendition. Despite lukewarm reviews, I loved it! An elegant film overall and well crafted, beautifully decorated and photographed in high contrast black and white, full of angled looming shadows, almost oppressively so, and small pools of light, sometimes unkind light, a manifest expression of Philip Carey's inner life. Gestures and movement are also important, often more so than words.
I thought Paul Henreid was fantastic in it as well as Eleanor Parker; I think he gets short shrift relative to the star power of the female role. He seemed like a man trapped, who knew he was trapped and was helpless to do anything about it except to careen between cruelty and kindness. His experience has a compelling immediacy, of the moment and so does his story. I never had seen Paul Henreid in such a different role, where he lacked confidence and could be awkward and despairing, coarse and primal in a way that made me uncomfortable to see such naked need and helplessness. And still, the character had a grace, a redemptive quality that would peek out in spare, quiet moments.
I especially loved the simplicity of his wordless visit to Mildred at the end; it was as if he were carressing a dying animal. And then he was quietly, without fanfare, released. His obsession is never explained because it doesn't really matter. His experience matters. The director captures this beautifully.
This film and the crafting of its themes reminds me very much of the 40's version of A Razor's Edge with Tyrone Power. It turns out Edmund Goulding directed both.
8.5 stars out of 10
Moonlight (2007)
For the First Time
For the first time, there is a vampire capable of true love.
Meanwhile, how novel! A vampire who walks among us in the daylight (but barely). A vampire who can take a stake in the heart which only paralyzes them, and lives? A vampire unconcerned with crosses and garlic, who can eat but not taste, who can decay over time so sleeps in a fridge, who can mainline blood or steal from the blood bank without ever touching a live, breathing, living, alive human being?
And we have a vampire capable of conscience and mature love. When, in the annals of movies and novels has there ever been a vampire who not only wanted to be human, but kept his human and humanly transcendent traits (including humor) while struggling with his vampiric destiny? This guy, Mick St. John, is betwixt and between. And what adds to the attraction- he is HOT.
I am drawn in by the light-heartedness in the face of daunting odds, the camaraderie, the struggle and confusion in attachment, and the majorly manly love of a guy who who hates being a vampire yet remains pure as a human, and not only pure, but mature. I have never seen a vampire who actually cares about others in a mature way- who takes care of others without angst. Who just does it.
This is what separates this show from others: a hot, cool guy who has a big heart and who time and again exhibits traits of the one whom you want to go home with- loving and true, protective above all, street smart, free-thinking and decisive, and growing and wise. A new version of vampire.
Moonlight is a nuanced character study for those who pay attention. The undead are alive!