Kicking off my attempt to catch up on 14 months backlog of reviews with a vintage cinema classic, which I finally managed to see a mere 70 years after its release. Keeping my comments brief and to the point until I can tick off a bunch of reviews and get back up to date. Two or three paragraphs and a Decinemal Rating should do for now.
What I have seen to date of Billy Wilder’s opus, I have loved. Especially The Apartment (1960), which makes my top ten list of all time, any time. As a director he was always excellent, but as a writer he was virtually second to none in the golden age of Hollywood. Just look at the CV if you don’t believe that; Some Like It Hot, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Ace in the Hole, Witness For The Prosecution, Ocean’s Eleven, Irma La Douce, Casino Royale, Sabrina, etc, etc. So it should have been no surprise that the high praise and longevity of good feeling toward this film were justified – especially as its subject is the seedier and sadder side of Hollywood screenwriting and the way the industry treated its ageing stars.
I was a little reluctant to take it in for so long, not really having much of a previous knowledge of Gloria Swanson or William Holden, perhaps assuming it was dated and merely retained its reputation due to nostalgia. Not a bit! The screenplay sparkles in a defiantly modern way from the first lines and images right to the bittersweet end. The performances were seminal, as were several unforgettable scenes and set ups. Just a consumate piece of classic cinema art that is ultimately timeless.
The influence on Tarantino and all would be noir is evident. Such style and effortless chic, mixed with a darkly cynical yet wryly ironic tone, makes for a thoroughly entertaining experience that never sags for pace or tension, like many films from the 40s and 50s do. Some of the dialogue will surely live forever. My overall impression is that this will be a work that will never lose its shine, even if 1000 years passed. A perfect Sunday afternoon film too. Follow it up with LA Confidential in the evening and you have one hell of a double bill. Highly recommended for those a little shy of vintage black and whites.
Decinemal Rating: 78
The Wasteland 