It's not that I haven't viewed any recent films in the last few days -- I have -- but there is nothing much I feel like saying about any of them. In particular I saw "Constantine" with Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz and couldn't make head nor tail of what was going on -- or for that matter care; maybe if I were familiar with the graphic novel it would have had more appeal, but I doubt it. I also viewed "Hotel Rwanda" which falls into the "worthy" category, cataloguing noble behaviour in ignoble circumstances; however it managed to put me to sleep of which I'm not particularly proud! Add to that a Canadian TV movie about a young cancer patient being taken to the Brazilian rainforests to find a blue butterfly which will immediately cure him (supposedly true) and a Australian effort from 1993 called "Love in Limbo" which featured an early role for Russell Crowe playing a 20-year old Welsh immigrant to Oz -- actually a reasonably jolly coming of age movie set in the Fifties -- but not one liable to come to a TV set near you.
So why have I chosen to write above the above equally obscure television movie? Well mainly because it was a warm and charming comedy of old age (perhaps I am feeling my years!) and brought together three American television icons for the first time: Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Danny Thomas -- all well-known names from long ago. The gist of the tale was that Thomas is let go from the clothing company where he has worked since he was a lad as he is approaching his 65th birthday and experience and devotion no longer carry any weight. So he and his two childhood cronies decide to set up their own business manufacturing clothes for seniors. Caesar is actually the right age for the role but Berle was 80 when the film was shot and Thomas, the widower and Lothario of the three, was 74. Never mind, it manages to be a heartfelt and satisfying story as the trio overcome all of the obstacles that could be thrown their way and ends on an uplifting note without becoming hopelessly twee.
2 comments:
You've mentioned a name I haven't heard of in a while there JP......Milton Berle, he could play soft and wicked characters brilliantly. Rache
'Side by Side' ranks with a number of films which, while not overly good in
themselves, are worth seeing to savour the great comics of the mid 20th century
such as the one and only George Burns to name the best. This film had its moments because one could recall the past even though the comics themselves
might not have been particular favourites. Such is the power of nostalgia.
mgp 1449
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