Buster vs Robert

So, even though this is taking much longer than planned (understatement of the year), we are pushing forward trying to make this epic project something we can eventually tell people in 2050 that we've decided, once and for all, who our favorite director of all time (or from the early 1900's to 2010) is. And the post below will help to tell you who it definitely is not.

The General

To be completely honest, going into this film I was expecting to be unimpressed. It's a silent movie by the acrobatic Buster Keaton set during the Civil War. Keaton plays a train engineer who is turned away from signing up to fight for the South, which doesn't look so good to the Southern Belle that he fancies. To make a short story shorter, Keaton ends up saving the day--and the girl--using his train and his apparently bumbling self. The story isn't great, and everyone except Keaton doesn't really act, but I was absolutely blown away by the brilliance of his movement and facial expressions. I was laughing out loud during this 83-year-old film, loving the astounding stunts Keaton performs with the train. His physicality is magnetic and he uses his entire body to tell the story.

All the Kings Men

I was rather impressed by this biopic on a man who comes from meager beginnings and finds his inner politician, weaving a life story that moves and changes the man through different stages of politics: as a puppet, an empowered representative of the working man, a "justifiably" corrupt politician, and a lonely, fallen man with a tainted record and destroyed family. The acting was very good, except for the main character that the audience is meant to connect with and who narrates the film. I greatly enjoyed watching this movie and it reminded me of seeing Citizen Kane in the way that it gave birth to many film devices. 


Steamboat Bill Jr.

This movie was very similar to The General in the spectacular demonstration of Keaton's abilities as a slapstick, acrobatic performer and in the storyline of a down-and-out misunderstood loser trying desperately to impress and win the girl against the odds. Some of the key differences were in the props used by Keaton to perform his brilliant stunts and the apparent use of new technology. One of the most famous scenes of Buster Keaton's career takes place amidst a rather convincing storm. I wasn't as enraptured by this movie, possibly because after seeing The General my expectations were more appropriately set.



The Hustler

Oh, I loved this movie. I'm not sure if my adoration of the film is derived from Rossen's directing or if it comes from my instant affection for Paul Newman, but either way I drank up this wonderfully crafted film. Newman, as a pool hustler named Fast Eddie who is bouncing between a place of solid skill and living life as a "loser,"creates a character who is both spectacular and just like everyone else. The acting is very skillful, especially the performances of Fast Eddie's love interest played by Piper Laurie (who later shows up in Twin Peaks), his sly, evil manager played by George C. Scott, and his rival pool player Minnesota Fats played by Jackie Gleason (later of The Honeymooners fame). Gleason plays a cool, smooth character with consistency and accuracy, and Laurie is convincingly heartbroken and heartbreaking (the role landed her a nomination with the Academy). Anyhow, it was brilliant and you should just watch it now instead of reading this stupid summary. It's freakin' awesome.

So, after much, much much (3 months?) important deliberation, I've decided that I want to see more of Rossen, and as a movie watcher, that's the important part. I have seen much of what I believe Keaton has to offer, but I'd like to see more of Rossen's range. In the end it turns out that Keaton was beaten and Rossen is the boss...en.

Stay tuned for the next round in about six months!