This is a Hollywood musical. It is light and fluffy, a true fairy tale. I found the music to be more fun that the Rodgers and Hammerstein version. Richard Chamberlin is a standout as the prince. Deep drama (or rather, melodrama) is present, like a dash of salt in the stew. The King is a bit goofy, adding to the fun. A nice touch is the play of the fairy godmother, who assigns her dog to keep tabs on Cinderella. The plot device of having the royal family con Cinderella into giving up the prince for his own good is very reminiscent of the Bing Crosby vehicle of a few years earlier, "The Emperor Waltz," but does play guite well. It leaves some tension in the plot regarding the (inevitable) happy ending. Watch and enjoy!
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Prince & Me II: The Royal Wedding
(2006 Video)
Derivative, but pleasant
26 May 2006
This sequel, which appears to have been released direct to DVD, has a plot that seems strongly influenced by "King Ralph" and "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement". All of the principals except Luke Mably are new, so any Julia Stiles fans are likely to experience some disappointment. These things said, the film is quite viewable aside from some sound reproduction problems at times. Page Morgan isn't in Wisconsin any more, and has lost some of the single-minded focus on practicing medicine in the Third World, but remains likable. Prince (now King) Eddie is still likable, but probably a bit too indecisive at times to be a believable king. BTW, as is apparent from the flags (white over red bands with a triangular dark blue canton at the fly) flying from one of the buildings in the opening sequence, the production was filmed in the Czech Republic rather than in Denmark. For me,this was a very watchable flick.
Twelfth Night
(1996)
Dark and humorless with some redeeming scenes and performances
21 May 2006
As frequently happens with "Twelfth Night," the director and screen writers extensively revamped Shakespeare's script. The concept, of a nineteenth century wartime background, is not inconsistent with the play, but costuming, lighting and cinematography combined to make many scenes excessively dark, almost soupy. The comedians, Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, were decidedly unamusing throughout most of their scenes. Ben Kingsley is unexpected as Feste, the jester, but provided a quality performance although not a sprightly one. Bright spots came from the interaction of "Cesario" and Orsino, and a bright performance by Helena Bonham Carter as Olivia, who played mournful sister, besotted lover and imperious noblewoman with equal brilliance. Her reaction shots when the existence of the twins comes out in (the play's) Act V Scene 2 raised the production single-handedly from a mediocrity to an reasonably good show. In all, this is the best ""Twelfth Night" currently available. The problems are all in the production end, while the performances are, if not always great, certainly up to what should be expected of a fine - if sometimes inappropriate - cast.
A Walk in the Sun
(1945)
One of the best WWII films
25 April 2005
I first saw "A Walk in the Sun" as a child. It was one of the first VHS recordings I bought, and I also have a DVD copy. I have always regarded it as one of the most authentic depictions of small-unit actions of the period. The cast is excellent, and - although the language is toned down compared to post-1960s films, as with Richard Conte's character using the expletive "loving" where a more recent film would use a cruder synonym - one has the sense of being there with the group of GIs, with the same constricted vision of what is happening. This is not a grand epic. It is not the more modern grittier down-and-dirty story; but it is as close to what happened to the platoon depicted as a 1945 movie could get. It does not glamorize the war; but neither does it hyperbolize visually or verbally to denigrate the conflict. Critics, I am sure, would say many better films have been made since. I am not so certain of that. I am certain that this is one of my favorite films.
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