This is the fourth feature length film I've seen by director Frank Capra. I chose to watch this film based on previous good ratings I've given other films by this director and to better my favorite directors by algorithm listing.
Arsenic and Old Lace
I can't stop rating every Frank Capra movie I see a 10. I don't know if this is some pattern that I have established myself that I cannot break myself from, or if it's a pattern that Capra established with his amazing career!
I felt hesitant about giving this movie another 10. I kept second guessing myself. Wouldn't a 9 really be more appropriate? The movie doesn't have the same kind of morality that Capra's other movies I've seen had. In fact there are even some reprehensible characters that it seems like we are supposed to feel sympathetic for! But the movie was a lot of fun. But was it really THAT much fun? It seemed to be done really well, but was I just somehow associating Capra with his past films?? This movie can't be better than a 9. But maybe I'm just saying that because it seems silly for me to be giving every movie this guy made a 10! But I basically do the same thing with the movies of the Coen Brothers. Have I fallen into a trap with them as well? That's my own internal decision making process.
Essentially a filmed stage play. Capra knows how to keep it exciting and take advantage of the capabilities of film without adding or doing anything unnecessary just to differentiate this as a film over a play. For instance, the whole play pretty much takes place in one house. And Capra never sets the action outside of it, or even in other rooms that normally wouldn't be seen in a play, unless it's really essential for making the movie better.
Regarding the elements of time and space it's a much less epic film than the other Capra movies I've seen. But regarding character and plot elements, there is no shortage of depth or quantity. A lot of fun, with some real silly acting from Cary Grant.
This should be a Halloween staple in the same way It's A Wonderful Life has become a Christmas staple. If you get the time, slip this one between your Halloween horror movie marathons this year.
Frank Capra:
Total feature length films seen: 4
Previous average film score: 10
New average film score: 10
Rating: 10/10