February 18th 2014. Pick of the Day.
New York City's premiere resource for classic film screenings in the metropolitan area. Offering reviews, recommendations, venues and a host of links keeping classic film and the silver screens alive.
Today's lone series include BAM's concluding Vengeance is Hers and the French Institute's exceptional CineSalon. The cinematic tomfoolery looks thusly;
Film Forum
JE T'AIME JE T'AIME (1968) Dir; Alain Resnais
French Institute/Alliance Francais
LOLA MONTES (1955) Dir; Max Ophuls
BAM Cinematek
TERMINAL ISLAND (1973) Dir; Stephanie Rothman
Today's Pick? I have not the slightest doubt. The great Max Ophuls' first color film was also the last of his career, as he died tragically during the filming of 1958's THE LOVERS OF MONTPARNASSE, but should one entertain the notion that some of the world's great artists live just long enough to create the masterpiece that will define them for posterity, one would have a powerful piece of evidence in Ophul's absolutely magnificent LOLA MONTES, screening tonight as part of the French Institute's excellent CineSalon series. Ophuls is as famous for his empathetic observation of stoic suffering, particularly toward his female characters, as for the balletic choreography of his camerawork. In LOLA he delivers perhaps the thesis combo of theme and technique, fusing the ravishing widescreen Eastmancolor photography with perhaps the most breathtaking fluidity of camera movement (befitting it's partial circus setting) he'd yet designed, in the service of championing yet one more betrayed romantic, who ultimately proves stronger and less ethically compromised than any of her detractors in the film's audience. Admittedly I've seen no other film featuring star Martine Carol, who was quite the heart-flutter in her day, but there are certain actors I'm perfectly happy identifying solely with their signature role. John Neville as Baron Munchausen comes immediately to mind, and like history's most famous prevaricator Carol's LOLA is a creature of divine romanticism, willing to endure the doubt and scorn of so-called civilized society if it means clinging to their dreams for one more day. Vive l'amour, indeed.
For more info on these and all NYC's classic film screenings in February '14 click on the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. And be sure to follow me on both Facebook, where I provide further info and esoterica on the rep film circuit and star birthdays, and Twitter, where I provide a daily feed for the day's screenings and other blathery. Back tomorrow with a brand new Pick, til then safe, sound, make sure the next knucklehead is too. Excelsior!
-Joe Walsh
P. S. Should you be feeling charitable during this harsh weather period please remember to check in with the good folks over at Occupy Sandy. Some of our NY neighbors are still feeling the effects of last year's hurricane. Be a mensch.
