#21: Grapes of Wrath:
So I’ve been making a sort-of-half-assed-not-really (SOHANR) attempt to watch all the films on AFI’s Top 100 Films of all time. AFI put the list together in 1995 as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of cinema.
I had decided to make, say every 5th rental from Netflix, something from the Top 100 on the idea that I could run through it in six months or so.
That so didn’t happen. Because I’m a big baby.
I have some juvenile tumor running loose inside me that says that anything "classic" will be soul-sucking drudgery and why should I bother and hey, isn’t there an old Gilmore Girls episode on the Tivo?
But last weekend, I offered up a viewing of Grapes of Wrath (#21) to Suzan who had refused several times before (She knows herself better than I. When she isn’t interested, she means it). This time she said yes.
Good movie. I’ve never read John Steinbeck’s novel nor anything about the movie so I was in without a point of reference. I gather after seeing it that Grapes is one of cinema’s great tributes to working people and New Deal FDRism (the cops, landlords and companies are all corrupt heathens, the government-run worker’s camp is an oasis of brotherhood) but by golly, it earns it. The performances, Greg Toland’s lyrical, silent cinematography and a screenplay that pushes itself forward as effortlessly as wind. This is a movie you "should" like but end up liking all on your own.
How do you feel about "classics?"
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8 Replies to “#21: Grapes of Wrath:”
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Don’t watch classic movies much, but love the books! If you liked the movie version of Grapes, you’ll like the book more. And if you haven’t read much Steinbeck, I’d also suggest East of Eden. Almost worthy of a modern soap opera.
Don’t watch classic movies much, but love the books! If you liked the movie version of Grapes, you’ll like the book more. And if you haven’t read much Steinbeck, I’d also suggest East of Eden. Almost worthy of a modern soap opera.
I’ve been trying to do this, too. I started about 4 years ago, determined to watch each one from 100 up, and write a pithy review. It’s 4 years later, and I’m on #38. It’s a lot tougher to do (especially the pithy review part) than I thought.
I’ve been trying to do this, too. I started about 4 years ago, determined to watch each one from 100 up, and write a pithy review. It’s 4 years later, and I’m on #38. It’s a lot tougher to do (especially the pithy review part) than I thought.
Kevin: It will work if you sneak in some Russ Meyer, Doris Wishman and Jose Mojica Marins between classics. Trust me on this. Weirdass exploitation films are a primo buffer for nearly any “normal” film. I assure that you will see beyond time.
Kevin: It will work if you sneak in some Russ Meyer, Doris Wishman and Jose Mojica Marins between classics. Trust me on this. Weirdass exploitation films are a primo buffer for nearly any “normal” film. I assure that you will see beyond time.
Strange but useful advice Ed. I’ll try that.
Strange but useful advice Ed. I’ll try that.