It is hard to not want to see a film with this good a cast. Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Fredric March and Lee J Cobb are reasons enough to see any film individually, seeing them together in the same film makes one further exciting. The story also sounded very interesting as did the themes. The mostly positive reviews promised a lot too, despite seeing some slightly worrying criticisms at the same time. So 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' was seen in high anticipation.
'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' on the most part works very well, even if it did slightly disappoint. There are so many obvious good things, namely the performances, the emotional power and the approach to the themes addressed. Do have to agree however with the flaws that have been cited, mostly because of the overlength and pace. Can see why 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' may not work for everybody, but do find the appeal quite a lot more understandable.
Will start with the good, as there is a lot more of that than bad. The set design is attractive enough without swamping the drama, even if there is a lack of authenticity in some of the past scenes. Bernard Hermann has always been one of my favourite film composers, his score for 'Vertigo' is one of my favourite scores of all time, and it is here haunting and adds to the emotional power (without being overwrought) even if it is not quite a character of its own in the same way some of his other scores. There is good sympathetic direction here, even if it is a bit sluggish in the legal subplot.
Script is intelligently written and thoughtful, as well as written with a lot of sincerity. The story is generally compelling, it was brave for 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' to address such heavy topical themes in the day and deal with it so directly and honestly without being heavy-handed. So much so it does get emotional and at times painful to watch (not in a bad way), furthermore the subject and themes have such relevance and truth today so relating to what was being handled was easy. The war scenes are powerful and they and the aftermath do really well at showing how much damage the war did to so many without trivialising.
The characters also felt like real human beings, especially Peck's and March's. The performances are all round fabulous. Peck did sincere better than a lot of actors at the time and he shows that here in a performance that is towards his best and plays to his strengths. The other standout is March, as the most realistic and most complex character that he gives some poignant humanity too. Cobb breathes so much life to his character while also being reserved. Jones has a problematic character, the only one that was difficult to get behind, but gives it everything emotionally. Ann Harding and Marisa Pavan are touching in their roles.
On the other hand, 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' does go on for much too long and one does feel the length with some sluggish pacing. What would have improved things were that if the war scenes were tightened up in the pace as they do run on for longer than needed and if the legal subplot, which was not very interesting and added next to nothing, was cut as others have said.
Although the sets are nice, the camera work sometimes does feel rather static and could really have afforded to have been opened up more to make it more cinematic. The ending felt anti-climactic.
Summing up on the whole, a lot of great but a few drawbacks making for a solid if flawed film. 7/10
'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' on the most part works very well, even if it did slightly disappoint. There are so many obvious good things, namely the performances, the emotional power and the approach to the themes addressed. Do have to agree however with the flaws that have been cited, mostly because of the overlength and pace. Can see why 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' may not work for everybody, but do find the appeal quite a lot more understandable.
Will start with the good, as there is a lot more of that than bad. The set design is attractive enough without swamping the drama, even if there is a lack of authenticity in some of the past scenes. Bernard Hermann has always been one of my favourite film composers, his score for 'Vertigo' is one of my favourite scores of all time, and it is here haunting and adds to the emotional power (without being overwrought) even if it is not quite a character of its own in the same way some of his other scores. There is good sympathetic direction here, even if it is a bit sluggish in the legal subplot.
Script is intelligently written and thoughtful, as well as written with a lot of sincerity. The story is generally compelling, it was brave for 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' to address such heavy topical themes in the day and deal with it so directly and honestly without being heavy-handed. So much so it does get emotional and at times painful to watch (not in a bad way), furthermore the subject and themes have such relevance and truth today so relating to what was being handled was easy. The war scenes are powerful and they and the aftermath do really well at showing how much damage the war did to so many without trivialising.
The characters also felt like real human beings, especially Peck's and March's. The performances are all round fabulous. Peck did sincere better than a lot of actors at the time and he shows that here in a performance that is towards his best and plays to his strengths. The other standout is March, as the most realistic and most complex character that he gives some poignant humanity too. Cobb breathes so much life to his character while also being reserved. Jones has a problematic character, the only one that was difficult to get behind, but gives it everything emotionally. Ann Harding and Marisa Pavan are touching in their roles.
On the other hand, 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' does go on for much too long and one does feel the length with some sluggish pacing. What would have improved things were that if the war scenes were tightened up in the pace as they do run on for longer than needed and if the legal subplot, which was not very interesting and added next to nothing, was cut as others have said.
Although the sets are nice, the camera work sometimes does feel rather static and could really have afforded to have been opened up more to make it more cinematic. The ending felt anti-climactic.
Summing up on the whole, a lot of great but a few drawbacks making for a solid if flawed film. 7/10