That’s not my autobiography. I just had time the other day, so I decided to watch this movie. I imagine everyone not a kid has seen it–because I’ve seen quotes on the internet for more than a dozen years, in the weirdest places. The internet does have that about it–it makes things look universal, but also very dated… The story was pretty funny, but not extraordinary. More on that below. The main takeaway is that I used it make fun of Skip in the PIT. Unfortunately, he’s seen it, too, so he used it to make fun of me. That’s 90 minutes I shan’t get back in a hurry…
Now, the strangest thing about the comedy is that the good guys are full of excellences, but not particularly lawful, whereas the bad guys are rather on the incompetent side–although they’re quite good at deception. This is not the way comedies, even kids’ comedies, usually work. One does not encounter such pleasure & praise for being admirable, far better than most in comedies. It’s told as a story for kids, but I think that only means that kids are not as yet dead set against admiring the best among us. Also, blue-eyed blonds are the lovers who have found true love… Also, the kid thinks he’s quite unsentimental up until the romantic end, but he’s also afraid the good guys might lose. I think that’s one of those obvious facts that matters far more than people can tell. Mostly, I think that peoples who tell stories without happy ends don’t do well…
That’s enough for now. If anyone liked the movie & could stand to chat about it, let’s! This is my inaugural post here–unbidden, might I add–&, hopefully, the first of many. I could say something now & then about movies, music, & books. If you let me know what sorts of things you’re interested in–possibly, interested in talking about–we could figure out a way to chat about these things somewhat constantly. I’m not sure how much movie talk or music talk you’ve got in your lives, but I could stand to have a bit more. &, too, we’ll learn what we have in common, so that would be good.
Thank you Titus. I love that movie, and I have a lurking suspicion of people who do not love it.
it is simultaneously a kids’ movie and one of the more poignant, paced, mature movies that an adult could hope to see.
Isn’t it sort of a non-spoof spoof of old Hollywood films: You know who the good guys and bad guys are by the way they dress/look.
Other more…. hmm… recent films of the same ilk: Appaloosa (which western cliches were missing?) and Silverado (“Uncle Jake fell off his horse?”)
Bollywood movies seem to follow the formula, too.
?Ever seen The Inlaws. Friends and I will pop up the, “Jeez. Pigs!” comment from time to time. You have to watch it to get it.
BTW, ?how do you get italics.
Aha! Got it. Like Dime said on iPads. But I tried it on my iPad last night and it didn’t work for underline. Wanted to underline the names of books.
If you go back and edit your comment you can add fancy stuff.
I shall have to watch it again; I last watched when my nephews and nieces were quite small…I do think it wears somewhat better than the Pythons’ canon; it’s more about what’s true. The Pythons seemed to enjoy being transgressive for its own sake. (Doesn’t that wear out when you hit thirty?)
It’s gray and damp here; a perfect movie-watching day…Does Danny Kaye make anyone else laugh as much as he does me?
In my life time I have rarely watched movies, so most of the time have no idea to what some comments refer to. It has only been the last few years closed captions have been available but it’s still pretty bad. Most of the time the words are out of sync with the mouth movements. I tried to find some of the recommend movies on netflix, but they are not available on my limited account, nor are the movies I wanted to see when I was a lot younger. For the first time in 15 or 20 years I went to a theater this past year, to see 2 documentaries, no CC, and American Sniper. CC but it is a piece of equipment that is put on the arm of your seat, so you have to keep looking into the little box, and not watching the screen. Extremely frustrating.
Some theatres have bluetooth hook-up with hearing aids. It helps a lot. The same is available for home use on the TV, so you can hear the audio directly (with only very slight lag). You might check it out.
Peter Falk seems to have gotten himself into numerous interesting films. I still think The Inlaws to be one of the funnier films made (right with 1-2-3 with James Garney playing the head of the Coca-Cola company in West Berlin.)
I will write: “Hello. My name is Luis Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” on those stupid name tags people expect you to wear at some parties.
Love James Garner in “The Americanization of Emily”; James Coburn, too…Will check out “The In-Laws”, for sure.
Is The Americanization of Emily the one with Julie Andrews?
Also, I’ll look up the in-laws, too. Maybe be we can chat about that one next week!
Yup, that’s it, TT! I really enjoyed it. It made me laugh and made me think, at the same time…
Oh, Jimmy Cagney does work that’s unforgettable for my money in that movie. It’s always good to see old American actors & writing in Billy Wilder movies–he could be quite cynical, not to say continental–they make the comedy work.
I’m curious whether people would still like that movie–young people maybe. To me, it seems it works as well now as ever, except for people who have on idea about the Berlin wall. In a sense, that’s good–they don’t know, because it ain’t there anymore. Thanks, Reagan. But in another sense, I hope education could improve the small bit required to get historical events right…
I’m always amazed that movie has never gotten greater acclaim. The opening scene where the German chauffeur opens the doors is worth the price of admission.
The In-Laws. That was with Alan Arkin, too, no? If I’m right, the remake looked ghastly.
YES! Arkin is a dentist in NYC who’s daughter is marrying Falk’s son. And Falk is supposedly a CIA agent.The whole thing is an absolute riot, from the opening scene where Falk with his bad eye shoots the dude across the street, to the ending.
My pleasure!
OK, so everything everyone needs to hear to spur them to watch the movie–or watch it again–you’ve got BDB’s comment above.
Yes, it is a spoof, yes, it is done with a sense of right & wrong, yes, it is better than everything Monty Python ever did. They were pikers!
It’s a likable movie because it’s not moralistic, although there are some scenes that are not fun & games. The good guys do not think they’re so good the world must bend to their will. It takes work, folks, & not a little luck–you heard it hear first!
Ok, so we’ve got next week’s movie: The Inlaws!
Pay special attention to the scene where they are going to fly to Scranton, Pennsylvania. Watch Falk and the other Chinaman going through the preflight check-list up at the front of the airplane while Arkin is getting the “stewardess” lecture on safety. HYSTERICAL (well, if you’re a pilot – or even not. But you have to catch it.)
Just got “The In-Laws” and “The Princess Bride” from iStore…Fun will ensue!
The whole movie [“The In-Laws”] had me laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair; but the “Scranton” flight sequence is a classic! :-D
“Princess Bride” is for this weekend – with young adult-lings who cherish it.
I hope my dad will be able to follow it!
Update: Watched “The Princess Bride”with pleasure; and eyes and ears open for the subtext. Not to mention the ability of the adult-lings to quote dialogue verbatim as an extra source of enjoyment. Thanks for the recommendations!
I’ll watch it with my dad for Father’s Day.
Another rarity I watched for fun tonight: Baz Luhrman’s 1992 “Strictly Ballroom”. (Just for the dancing, mind you.)
My. Favorite. Movie. (well, except Roman Holiday)
Agree, M! The dance sequences cheered me up. (Grin).