Seed NewsvineGreat Films Trapped In Good Films
One of the most frustrating events that can happen when viewing films, is running into a movie that has a great masterpiece inside just screaming to get out. As a matter of fact, it's safe to say that a majority of the conventional family homes' DVD collections are brimmed with these types of titles. Movies we privately know, deep down inside, that could have been flawless had some choices with editing or screenplay touches been dealt with thoroughly.
Now, I know one can stretch this claim to fit EVERY movie; films are subjective obviously. But let us take a look at some high profile ones. I recently watched "Midnight Cowboy" again, on a dreary and cloudy day and the viewing was as fun as having dinner with an old flame. At times you can see what compelled you to single him or her out, but when those ticks or flaws come out, they're overbearing. But there is also a predetermined love present. It's the damndest of a thing.
Voight is very likable (I think his stupidity in the film is actually hearbreaking by the time the third act comes into play) and Hoffman walks away with the infamous "Hey I'm WALKIN' Heeeyaaaw!!" scene while clashing with a NYC taxicab.
But there are the uneven scenes, like the Warholesque party (Ebert expounds on this in his review) but for me, it was the too hazy backstory for the Voight character that killed the movie's greatness. In an attempt to paint Voight as a 60s adult Holden Caulfield, Director Schlesinger makes the fatal mistake of showing too little while telling nothing. The use of black and white and the very unclear editing job serve as a distraction in these scenes when they should be the emotional highpoint. Why else would a cowboy want to become a swaggering prostitute in the Big Apple?
Some other notable "almost great" movies that come to mind are:
-"Black Hawk Down" -- get rid of the Bruckheimer factor and you have a Ridley Scott masterpiece that ranks with "Matchstick Men."
-"The Bridge on the River Kwai"--the William Holden plot never feels the same way twice. And for a movie like this, that's not a good thing.
-"Scent of a Woman"--keep Philip Seymour Hoffman and lose the denouement of that school trial section at the end.
-"Babel"--As much as I loved Rinko Kikuchi's performance, her storyline bogs this film down. The ending is borderline tedious, making you mouth "Get to it already..." while watching that closing scene. Still, a strong film.
What are yours to add to this list??
