THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE IFFY (5)

The GOOD: "THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER."  This only film directed by Charles Laughton and borrowing from German expressionism makes you wish he'd done more.  It is unique, mesmerizing and downright lyrical in it's poetry.  It's all about Robert Mitchum as a corrupt minister turned serial killer who tries to woo a widow (Shelly Winters) with two young children, to steal a large sum of money hidden by her dead husband (and his ex-cellmate), With a screenplay by James Agee and a tour de force by Lillian Gish as the protector the children stumble upon in their flight from the minister, this is one for the ages.  With black and white cinematography at its finest, you can't take your eyes off this riveting film.  And, in particular, the under water scene with Shelly Winters and some of the extreme long shots of the minister drawing ever near in his attempt to kill the children.  It will send chills up your spine. It is a classic in every sense of the word.














The BAD:  "ISHTAR"  Written and directed by Elaine May, this film has been called by many the worst movie of all time.   Starring Warren Betty (who also produced) and Dustin Hoffman as a pair of hapless untalented singer/songwriters who accept a "gig" in Morocco only to become embroiled in
a cold war situation.  Ms. May, is seems, wanted to do a modern day "Road" picture and pay tribute to the Hope and Crosby films.  Her decision to make Beatty the bumbling one (Hope) and Hoffman the suave one (Crosby) was a big mistake.  It simply didn't work.  Casting against type is always a risk and if it pays off, you've struck gold.  If it doesn't, you've struck "Ishtar."












 The IFFY:  "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER." What could have been a hit turned out to be an edited mess.  Based on a Broadway musical, the casting of Barbra Streisand was first rate and there were high hopes for the endeavor.   And you can't fault Ms. Streisand.  She gives it her all and enraptures the score by Learner and  Loew.  When she is singing, the movie soars.   But her co-star Yves Montand is rather wooden and miscast for my money.  Jack Nicholson was also thrown into the mix as Streisand's brother ( a non-exsistant role on Broadway). The plot revolves around reincarnation and there are some fine scenes (and costumes) from merry olde England in flashbacks to a former life, but most of these have been butchered by the editing.   So, you have been warned.  If the glorious singing of Barbra Streisand is enough for you (and it well should be), this has moments to remember but, alas, quite a few to forget.


















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