Chip Kaufmann’s Pick: “Titanic”

Titanic (1953)

With all the fanfare surrounding the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and the release in 3-D of James Cameron’s 1997 film (see Clara Sofia’s Teen Review), it’s a perfect time to revisit Hollywood’s first version of the story, 1953’s Titanic starring Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck.

Like the James Cameron movie, it focuses on the fictional story of a pair of lovers (in this case a husband and wife) but unlike Cameron’s film, it is far less concerned with the sinking of the ship. Screenwriter and co-producer Charles Brackett is much more interested in the human drama taking place. In fact the Titanic is purely incidental. The film could just as easily have been called Lusitania or Empress of Ireland or any other ill-fated ship of the tine.

Since Brackett was one of the great screenwriters of the Golden Age of Hollywood (frequently collaborating with Billy Wilder on such diverse films as The Major and the Minor and Sunset Boulevard), this Titanic is full of the kind of memorable dialogue that you often encounter in movies of that era and sadly not in real life.

In addition to Webb and Stanwyck, the film features an outstanding supporting cast including Thelma Ritter (as Molly Brown although for legal reasons she’s not called that), Brian Aherne (as Captain Smith), Richard Basehart, and a very young but incredibly handsome Robert Wagner.

If you watch this Titanic for the special effects, than you’ll certainly be disappointed. The sinking of the ship, impressive for 1953, can’t compete with the 1997 version nor should it have to. The interior and exterior settings are very theatrical in nature because the filmmakers are more concerned with the characters than with accuracy of detail. And (horrors!) it’s in black and white.

For those of you who enjoy old movies, like choice dialogue, and want to see a different take on the famous tragedy, then this version of the Titanic story will be more than worth your while. 20th Century Fox’s DVD transfer of the film is flawless.

Michelle Keenan’s Pick: “Big Fish”

Big Fish (2003)

After watching Ewan McGregor in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, I was struck by how much I’ve enjoyed watching him throughout his career. Now in his early 40’s, his work has run the gamut from blockbusters to little independent, from rather hapless, charming characters, to the iconic Obi-wan Kenobi.

The characters I most enjoy seeing him play always have a wee bit of magic in them, or a belief therein. Take the ever affable character of Ed Bloom in Tim Burton’s fanciful tall tale, Big Fish. McGregor played Bloom as a younger man and Albert Finney played Bloom as an older man. (The combination of the two in the role was automatic win for me from the get go)

Big Fish is a movie that people tend to love or hate. I can only attribute this to the Tim Burton influence, and the fact that his style is not everyone’s cup of tea. Ironically, I considered Big Fish to be quite a departure for Burton. Big Fish tells the story of a man who has lived a mythic life. At its heart, it’s a father-son story. Ed Bloom is a vivacious old man with penchant for telling fantastic stories about his youthful exploits. Over time, his tall tales have alienated him from his son William (Billy Crudup). While his father is the epitome of joie de vivre, William is not. When told that his father doesn’t have long to live, William returns home to Alabama to attempt to separate fact from fiction and find out who his father really is.

In doing so, the story jumps between modern day and the embellished tales from Edward’s days as a young man. They play out like a parade at carnival freak show. He wrestles a giant fish, befriends a giant, a witch, a poet, Siamese twin, survives the Korean War, becomes the toast of an oddly idyllic town called Spectre, and last but not lease wins the heart of the woman he loves. In the end myth and reality collide; Edward’s tall tales are his truth.

McGregor and Finney are perfect as the elder and younger Bloom. Both play the part with a huge appetite and passion for life and love. Both bring a special sparkle (and those winning grins), a blind faith of sorts and belief in the unbelievable to the part. Supporting cast members including Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi and Allison Lohman add to the ensemble. Bottom line Big Fish is a surprisingly corny tall tale that tickles the imagination and tugs on the heartstrings, the likes of which only Tim Burton could do.