Criterion

by Ari

Elevator to the Gallows - Louis Malle
Louis Malle’s taut, elegant thriller is one of cinema’s finest and inspiring directorial debuts. Malle devised this briskly paced, visually acute, noir-inspired story about the consequences of murder at the impressive age of 24. A man murders his lover’s husband, consequently sparking a series of unfortunate, problematic events for himself, the woman he loves, and the young, troubled couple who become unintentionally involved. The film was made famous for its stylish mixture of atmospheric cinematography and the exceptional score by Miles Davis. While the ending is a bit strange and uneven, the film is marked with the signature of a major talent. The always wonderful and beautiful Jeanne Moreau leads the cast.

Fists in the Pocket - Marco Bellocchio

Fists in the Pocket is a dour, pessimistic exploration into the disturbing and violent desires of an epileptic young man living with his dysfunctional family in a remote house in the Italian countryside. Lou Castel is the tormented lead who decides to turn his fantasies about killing his mother and siblings into reality. When his older brother, the only sane and completely healthy member of the family considers leaving the house to live with his girlfriend in the city, Alessandro (Castel) indulges in his darkest wishes. Along with his violent inclinations, Alessandro is infatuated with his sister, adding further complications to an already complex situation. The film is creepy and unsettling, with an edgy, all-too-convincing performance from Castel and a fantastically moody score by the great Ennio Morricone. Another incredible directorial debut.

Hard Boiled - John Woo
John Woo’s Hong Kong crime epic was one of the most influential and powerful film events of the 90’s. The film contains extended sequences of expertly choreographed violence that simply raised the bar for all other working filmmakers. The final set-piece displays the kind of virtuosic filmmaking that has only recently been challenged by Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men. The best John Woo films present this highly charged mixture of Jean-Pierre Melville and Sam Peckinpah - and Hard Boiled is arguably the finest example of his enormous talent. The legendary Chow Yun Fat and gifted Tony Leung co-star in two unforgettable performances.

My Man Godfrey - Gregory La Cava

Gregory La Cava’s brilliant comedy about an intellectual butler effectively presents its themes with the kind of charm and sophistication that is considerably lacking in contemporary American film. My Man Godfrey is a classic in every sense of the word. William Powell and Carole Lombard are among the great icons of film history - the sort of glamorous movie stars that simply don’t exist in today's industry. Lombard is perhaps the greatest comedic actress in the history of American film, and this is arguably the finest example of her impeccable timing and radiant beauty. Powell and Lombard had an energy, innocence, wit, and genuine sense of joy when they shared the screen. So many great moments, so many great lines. Actor Mischa Auer is outrageously entertaining as the sensitive Carlo. Nothing beats his sorrowful concert of ‘Ochi Tchornya’. Classic. One of the great treasures of American film.

Pickpocket - Robert Bresson
Robert Bresson was among the most notable French filmmakers of the 50’s and 60’s, so it’s a bit embarrassing that I’m finally beginning to appreciate his work. I haven’t seen Au hasard Balthazar or Diary of a Country Priest or The Trial of Joan of Arc yet, but I certainly intend to after watching the excellent Pickpocket. The film works on many levels. Bresson intertwines an entertaining crime film with an intimate character study and a strange, but emotionally honest love story. Pickpocket is sharp and lean - an enthralling descent into the distant, troubled psyche of a stoic misfit incapable of responding to normality. As the pickpocket Michel states, “I believed in God....for three minutes”. Michel constantly feels inclined to steal, and it’s this dark impulse that leads him into a world of inevitable doom. He begins as an amateur thief, but once his situation with his dying mother becomes helpless, he resorts to theft for serious means. After her death, he joins a professional who teaches him how to master his abilities, and together they take on several dangerous jobs. Martin LaSalle is excellent as Michel, and the set-pieces are particularly suspenseful since he's such a sympathetic character. Pickpocket is only 75 minutes, but it’s definitely worth it.

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