Showing posts with label George Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George Kennedy. Show all posts

Friday, November 28, 2025

Charade

It’s like a sophistication overdose: Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, in Paris no less. Grant may have been showing his age a bit here in the early ‘60s—the very sly, witty script even jokes about it repeatedly—but he still brings plenty of suave to this offering, a charm offensive that perfectly complements Hepburn’s own considerable charisma in this ever-so-urbane yet never stuffy romantic whodunnit thriller. The City of Light setting helps pump up the cultivated atmosphere, providing a context that magnifies the stars’ natural qualities. The supporting cast of later well-known but then still-developing actors does excellent work in giving the top-billed characters strong but never overshadowing support. And that script really shines, with its steady peppering of snappy lines to go with its smart but not distractingly overdone story twists. Really enjoyable stuff that should receive any true movie buff’s stamp of approval. 

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Cool Hand Luke

More a collection of memorable scenes than a good movie. The difficulty comes in trying to stitch those scenes together into something coherent and compelling. Luke's nihilism bleeds out any real end to the hero's means; it's tough to know why you're on his side beyond Newman's personal charm and presence. It could have been more, but ultimately this film is a "not quite."