Sullivan's Travels (1941)

3/5

Sullivan's Travels starts off with a truly inspired comic moment that the rest of the movie just doesn't seem to live up to. The plot follows the movie director Sullivan (McCrea) who gets sick of making comedies and musicals in a time of depression and wants to create a picture that means something to people. He decides to live as a tramp to understand what trouble is, to experience the lows of the human condition. Along the way he meets a washed-up actress (Lake) who discovers his intentions and asks to join him. As far as comedy goes, this movie just isn't that funny. At least, not consistently so. There are some moments that made me laugh out loud, but they were few and far between.

While it drops off for the middle half hour, things start to get much more interesting and intricate at about the hour mark. Through an unexpected and surprising chain of events, the comedy seems to veer off into the dismal and depressing. I appreciate the attempt at valuation and redemption, but I wanted a comedy, and a comedy I did not get. Technically, the film was a little better than average, with some quality compositions and a number of long takes. I particularly love the way the story comes back full circle, although the movie doesn't really heed its own advice. I definitely recommend it for some, just know that it's neither an especially great comedy or an especially great drama.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034240/

The Lady Eve (1941)

4/5

The Lady Eve starts off with a cartoon snake planting shiny apples on a tree. And from this Biblical story of temptation and the battle of the sexes comes a classic romantic comedy of the same with countless references back to its origins. A father-daughter con team finds their mark in a clumsy, straitlaced rich boy named Pike (Fonda). The daughter (Stanwyck) finds herself falling in love with the man, but their devious intentions find their way to the forefront and get in the way of their happiness. In between the moments of bittersweet melodrama, there are some very clever moments that not only make you smile, but also laugh out loud. The writing excels in both the plotting and the dialogue to create, in combination with spot-on acting, a pristine, unforgettable movie.

The camerawork and editing are rather ordinary for the most part, although there are a few moments where they still manage to surprise and astound you with each. Despite some amazing writing, there are also a number of gags and gimmicks that seem too stupid or simple for the rest of the movie. There are also some awkward fade-out transitions that seem sudden and/or out of place. These are all rather minor niggles with an otherwise intelligent and immensely enjoyable film.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033804/

Suspicion (1941)

3/5

The one word to describe Suspicion is disappointing. The plot follows Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine as they embark on a relationship together, only for her to find out that he's not all that he seems. She gets suspicious of him and soon begins to fear for her life. Like any Hitchcock, the thrills and suspense are there in full force. The tension ratchets up as the movie slowly but deliberately evolves from an air of unease to outright fear and paranoia, as only Hitchcock knows how to do. The acting was actually quite good (subtle and not overly sensational). I really really loved the character of Beaky--what great comic relief while still maintaining a naturalistic air of realism. He's a caricature, but never feels like it because of the brio and verve in his role.

Being a Hitchcock, albeit an early one, the movie has a lot to live up to. And it does. Up until the final 60 seconds of the film, where it falls completely flat and disgraces itself with a silly, dissatisfying ending. Underwhelming seems too tame a word to describe it. It is so out of left field, coming from such a strong start and from such a standout director, that you are completely blown away by how such a bad ending could have sneaked its way into an otherwise stellar film. I also though the beginning was a bit slow compared to his later, better pieces. Instead of heightened tension, the film started out in an eerily unsettling way because everything about Grant's character was off just a little but you couldn't put your finger on what it was about him. It paced itself well from there and, while it was interesting and effective, it wasn't exactly what I wanted or expected from his movie. Also, the music was a little more gimmicky and less appropriate than in his later ones. I would like to point out that the same basic plot can be found in Nicholas Ray's phenomenal noir In a Lonely Place, which stars Humphrey Bogart. I was enraptured much more and found it thematically richer than this film; I highly recommend it. If Suspicion's plot attracts you to it, go see In a Lonely Place instead. You will not regret it.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0034248/