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mdayne0225
Reviews
Beat the Devil (1953)
What Movies Used To Be
This is a great example of well written script, great direction and great acting. Capote's comedic dialog is precious. Huston's directing is a good example of letting fine actors, act and the repartee between Bogart, Jones and the other players is smooth and effortless. Present day movie makers could take a lesson from how to construct a character-driven movie from this entertaining film and young actors should be obligated to observe how real professionals ply their craft. The romantic farces that we get know just feature good looking actors repeating script lines and adding little to the creative process. Reference any movie with Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Matthew McConaughey or any number of other young stars and compare what they do to how Jennifer Jones and Gina Lollobrigida run through this script and you will see what I mean.
At some point one feels like they are in the movie instead of just watching it. My only regret is that the DVD I watched didn't have subtitles.
The Square (2008)
Affair and Money Leads to Trouble
It is funny that the Edgerton brothers collaborated on this film since it reminds me a great deal of another movie crafted by two brothers. If you have ever seen Blood Simple, a Coen brothers production, this movie will remind you of it. Two lovers hatch a simple plot to steal money and run away together, but are thwarted by unforeseen circumstances, blackmail, misdirection and unforeseen deceit.
The acting in this film is superb, starting with the leads and certainly Joel Edgerton who does a 180 from his character in Kinky Boots.
I highly recommend this movie. Although the plot is familiar it does have a neat twist at the end that was hard to see coming.