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Post by wmcclain on Jun 1, 2020 12:00:10 GMT
The Pumpkin Eater (1964), directed by Jack Clayton. If you want to be one of the cool kids, you have to get ahead of the crowd and discover -- or make -- the trends before everybody else knows about them. For movies, that means finding titles or people that art labels like Criterion or Twilight Time should be covering, but aren't yet. As my attempt at coolness, I offer you: The Pumpkin Eater. (As in "had a wife and couldn't keep her"). That Sony produces this on their DVD-R line indicates they see small demand or value in it, but it is the sort of title I would expect a boutique label to pick up if they can. [Years later: Shout Factory brought this to Blu-ray in 2020. See how influential I am?] Anne Bancroft is on her third husband and has a large set of children (I couldn't keep track of them, neighbor kids confuse the household). She would be happy but her husband cheats on her and she starts breaking down. A shrink suggests she feels guilty about sex unless she's having babies. She's skeptical, and so am I. Her problem is the husband. Many fine features: - Excellent performance by Bancroft, and a fine ensemble.
- Memorable scenes: her quiet breakdown in a department store, and being accosted by a certifiable crazy woman at the hairdresser.
- James Mason is remarkably slimy as a cheated-upon man who gets his revenge by spoiling the happiness of the innocent.
- Gorgeous, inventive camera work.
- Georges Delerue score, both seductive and despairing.
- Photographed by the great Oswald Morris.
I came to this because it was mentioned on a Twilight Time commentary track. I enjoyed Jack Clayton's work in The Innocents (1961) and it's fun to pursue lesser-known directors to see what you can find. The image is excellent for standard definition. Even in the high def world, DVD can sometimes surprise you. It's especially surprising to find this quality on a MOD DVD-R product, which usually have only minimal care or restoration. No subtitles, and I missed them. Later available on Blu-ray, but my thumbnails are from the DVD.
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Post by cynthiagreen on Jun 1, 2020 12:41:02 GMT
It is definitely worth a look but I did find the passivity of the main character grated.... Yootha Joyce (known here as randy landlady from TV sitcoms) was amazing as that voluble hairdresser customer - an English version of Kathy Bates in MISERY... . I enjoyed a glimpse of young Maggie Smith as garrulous lodger ("probably the funniest ten minutes of the cinema year" said David Shipman)
Yootha Yoyce
Young Maggie
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Post by kijii on Jun 1, 2020 15:49:49 GMT
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Post by manfromplanetx on Jun 2, 2020 0:35:02 GMT
Cinematographer Oswald Morris OBE DFC AFC BSC An overwhelming talent ! an incredible filmography & multi award winner Over an extensive six decade career he worked with some of the most demanding directors of the period. Known and respected for his professional skill & competence, innovation and adaptability his restrained austere camera providing character and depth to a wide variety of quality classic films. Exceptional are his vivid and evocative images from The Pumpkin Eater evident in every close-up, every still. well deserved, his first of many prominent awards... at the BAFTA Awards 1965; Best British Cinematography (B/W) Also a notable credit is playwright Harold Pinter who adapted Penelope Mortimer's semi-autobiographical novel The Pumpkin Eater (1962), also a winner at the BAFTA Awards 1965 … Best British Screenplay I have this original poster framed on my movie room wall
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Post by mortsahlfan on Jun 2, 2020 12:28:28 GMT
Good movie, and yes, underrated.
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Post by petrolino on Jun 2, 2020 23:54:47 GMT
I keep meaning to watch this movie to see Anne Bancroft, it plays from time to time on the channel FilmFour. I'll try to see it, thanks.
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