The Philadelphia Story

I generally like Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Cary Grant but I found them all grating in this story. Stewart relies a bit too much on his jovial, street smart persona and his mannerisms which might have been appropriate for the stage are excessive on screen. Hepburn lacks empathy and is not relate-able (even for a rich girl); I simply don't understand how all three male leads would fall in love with her. Cary Grant just seem smug. I find it odd that instead of having Hepburn's Samantha Lord chose the rich man over the self made man or the poor(ish) writer; the rich girl choosing the rich boy doesn't show particular depth on either of their parts and my guess is a return to alcoholism and philandering on both their parts within a few months of remarriage.

Rear Window

Another Hitchcock classic with Jimmy Stewart. I was surprised that I didn't notice any color themes considering how prevalent they were in Vertigo, nonetheless the storytelling is engaging and innovative; the fact that all the action takes place within the apartment or can be seen from the window of the apartment. The audience is in the same position as James Stewart, stuck (presumably) seated inside the apartment and therefore with little agency over what is happening. The same plot has been used over and over in such modern pictures like the forgettable Suburbia, yet none have been able to reach the level of the original. I only give this four stars since Grace Kelly looks gorgeous, but I didn't really connect with her, and Stewart's character is just a bit of tool towards her for no reason.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

I do love Jimmy Stewart, and I was fun to see him so young in this film. Likewise, I do adore Claude Rains, so this film had two advantages off the bat. I believe that most American civics students are shown this film as a sort of lesson about filibustering and the process of how bills go through the houses of Congress, etc., etc., but for those who don't know, it's a moralistic tale about a green Jr. Senator who singlehandedly takes on the Washington political machine, and a graft bill sponsored by his Sr. Senator. David vs. Goliath in the senate, and instead of a slingshot we have the filibuster. The movie does seem like a guise to be a civics lesson and tends to be preachy about political corruption but it's a fun watch. It does have a major plot hole in that no one moves for a vote of cloture, which would be the legal, and plausible way to end Jefferson Smith's filibuster, however that wouldn't make for a good Hollywood story.

Vertigo

Overall a great film and probably one of the best mystery movies ever made (actually yesterday it was named top mystery movie of all time on the AFI 10 top 10). I love the way Hitchcock uses San Francisco to give the movie atmosphere as well as his genius use of colour--the green signifying Madeleine and the red his obsession. I don't care much for Jimmy Stewart (but then again, I never did) but Barbara bel Geddes is memorable despite her small amount of screen presence.