Of course, I'm a fan of Stevie Smith's writing, so that doubtless helps. (As does a childhood crush on Glenda Jackson!) Here is Smith reciting her most famous poem, "Not Waving But Drowning":
I don't really disagree with anything you said about A Private Function although I see it all with far more nuance. I love at the end that there is a sexual assault that is seen as positive by the victim. "At last, I am worthy to be abused!"
But I connect with the film because of the two men who fall in love with the pig. I'm also very fond of the subplot about the food inspector falling in love. The film presents some very sweet moments in a horrible world. And I think a happy ending would destroy the social satire. After all, this *is* the world we live in. Actually, it's even worse now. Inequality is so high that the upper class don't even interact with the likes of Palin and Smith.
It's also an incredibly smart film. The moment that Smith realizes that she has the power is delicious. And I don't find her character terrible. She's just trying to get what society has told her she should get. If there is one problem with the film it is why she ever would have married Michael Palin! He is far too sweet and idiosyncratic for her.
As for Denholm Elliott, he was such an amazing actor -- totally believable in basically any part. Absolutely repugnant here!
I don't WANT these reviews of old movies to be about my politics feelings, now. (Noam Chomsky's Movie Site: "Air Bud represents the community devaluation of birthday clowns under unregulated capitalism.") But it always comes up. I've got to learn how to balance those observations with "fun sound effects are fun" a bit more.
That's funny! I just came upon an old notebook of mine titled "Marxist at the Movies." I still think that would be a good blog. I'm just not up to being that knowledgeable about Marxism...
I tried reading Marx, once. I... didn't get it. It's like reading a Google Translate of German into Slovakian and then into English. I basically agree with it, but I'm really confused. Plus the problems of 19th-century economics aren't something I understand, at all. The principles are the same, the details are very different.
If you like Talking Heads, may I recommend Stevie (1978). I absolutely love that film! Of course, I also absolutely love A Private Function!
The film is a bit hard to find, so here's a link:
https://m.ok.ru/video/537670453984
Of course, I'm a fan of Stevie Smith's writing, so that doubtless helps. (As does a childhood crush on Glenda Jackson!) Here is Smith reciting her most famous poem, "Not Waving But Drowning":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKHWEWOrL9s
I don't really disagree with anything you said about A Private Function although I see it all with far more nuance. I love at the end that there is a sexual assault that is seen as positive by the victim. "At last, I am worthy to be abused!"
But I connect with the film because of the two men who fall in love with the pig. I'm also very fond of the subplot about the food inspector falling in love. The film presents some very sweet moments in a horrible world. And I think a happy ending would destroy the social satire. After all, this *is* the world we live in. Actually, it's even worse now. Inequality is so high that the upper class don't even interact with the likes of Palin and Smith.
It's also an incredibly smart film. The moment that Smith realizes that she has the power is delicious. And I don't find her character terrible. She's just trying to get what society has told her she should get. If there is one problem with the film it is why she ever would have married Michael Palin! He is far too sweet and idiosyncratic for her.
As for Denholm Elliott, he was such an amazing actor -- totally believable in basically any part. Absolutely repugnant here!
Oh, I think Jackson’s an absolute gorgeous goddess. I'll have to put that one on my (now impossibly long) list!
I don't WANT these reviews of old movies to be about my politics feelings, now. (Noam Chomsky's Movie Site: "Air Bud represents the community devaluation of birthday clowns under unregulated capitalism.") But it always comes up. I've got to learn how to balance those observations with "fun sound effects are fun" a bit more.
That's funny! I just came upon an old notebook of mine titled "Marxist at the Movies." I still think that would be a good blog. I'm just not up to being that knowledgeable about Marxism...
I tried reading Marx, once. I... didn't get it. It's like reading a Google Translate of German into Slovakian and then into English. I basically agree with it, but I'm really confused. Plus the problems of 19th-century economics aren't something I understand, at all. The principles are the same, the details are very different.