Thank You for Smoking: A Fine Satire that Falls Short Friday, Aug 22 2008 

Character Analysis and Comedy and Focused Essay and Satire nwbartel 1:24 am

After seeing Thank You for Smoking, I unhesitatingly recommended to my friends. It is an intelligent satire and a highly entertaining movie that avoids the too-easy tricks of vulgarity and shock. (Though there are a couple sexual encounters in the film, they are actually relevant to the plot.)

So after such praise, why did I title this post as I did? Because as good as it is, the film holds its punches. The satire works because Nick Naylor and Heather Hathoway are deliciously unscrupulous. They are the kind of characters we love to hate. In a satire like this, their moral poverty is precisely their virtue.

But the film tried to have it both ways: Nick is despicable, but he’s really a good guy at heart. He tries to be a good father. We see a touching montage of Nick taking his son to Los Angeles on a business trip with him. And after his world falls apart, it is his son who inspires him to get back in the game. Their relationship is clearly intended to be authentic and loving, which is exactly what is wrong with the whole thing. (more…)

 

Roman Holiday: the Quintessential Coming-of-Age Romantic Comedy Friday, Aug 22 2008 

Character Analysis and Classics and Comedy and Focused Essay and Narrative Analysis and Romance nwbartel 1:16 am

Royalty, forbidden romance, and the charm and romance of Rome all rolled up in a film that is funny and tender and spectacularly acted Audrey Hepburn – what more could one possibly ask for? Roman Holiday is a light-hearted, gem of a romantic comedy. The story follows a stifled and somewhat bored princess who escapes her gilded cage for a care-free day in Rome. She is guided in her adventures by Joe Bradely (Gregory Peck), a scheming newspaper reporter looking for the scoop of a lifetime, and his photographer friend, Irving.

The film is first and foremost simply a delight to watch. The chemistry between Princess Ann and Joe sparkles. The wild plot certainly stretches credulity, but in the light of an excellent script and marvellous acting it doesn’t much matter. It is also a gorgeous portrayal of Rome, filming all the major attractions from the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, to the Colosseum and the Vatican, ending with Joe and Ann’s final adventure on the river near San Domiano’s. (more…)