Our Friday night movie diary is generally devoted to the Best or the Greatest in the movie art. Tonight I'd like to switch gears. We all have certain movies that we simply adore, and will watch whenever we see them on the TV list. Movies we will pull off the shelf on a rainy Saturday afternoon and watch for the 25th or 50th time, and enjoy them as much as ever.
These aren't always the best movies, but they're our favorite movies to spend time with. Our favorite movies tell as much about us as almost anything else, I suspect: as much as our favorite books, politicians, songs, or sexual positions.
This is not an objective category, but is entirely subjective. All of us have at least a few favorite movies, which don't need to be defended or justified. So let's have some fun and show each other who we really are! Show us your favorites, and tell us why you love them.
Tom Jones was the Academy Award winning 1963 adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel. It belongs on the short list of best comedies ever, but beyond that it's a wonderfully original example of filmmaking. Tony Richardson's direction is frenetic and light, Albert Finney and Susannah York are gorgeous as the young lovers, and the narrator performs an intricate duet with a recitative harpsichord to keep the story moving with winking wit. It's as charming as moviemaking gets.
The Shawshank Redemption is a modern fable of the power of the human spirit. I featured it in my Best Screenplays diary, for one of its best features. Other highlights for me are the underappreciated but terrific villain of Bob Gunton's Warden Norton, and the magnificent scene in which Andy broadcasts an aria from Nozze de Figaro to a transfixed prison. Morgan Freeman's narration is gentle and wise.
All About Eve may be The Classic Black and White movie. In Bette Davis' masterpiece, she is matched by George Sanders' deliciously evil Addison de Witt. Thelma Ritter and an achingly young Marilyn Monroe contribute memorable bit parts, and as in most great movies the script is the greatest star.
Gladiator is this century's greatest B movie. The screenplay isn't great, Russell Crowe's acting Oscar was really an apology for neglecting The Insider, and the special effects were kind of corny and magnificent at the same time. Nonetheless, it's a great romp and always makes me feel twelve years old again.
Elizabeth was the quirky 1998 breakout hit for Cate Blanchett. It's underproduced in that way British films often have, epic on a budget, but it doesn't matter. Cate is luminous, Joseph Fiennes is winning, and the script manages to satisfy despite a curious hodgepodge of styles. The ending is a fifteenth-century Godfather.
Others I can't resist:
The Godfather, my single favorite movie, for reasons which don't need explication.
Shakespeare in Love, mainly for the wonderful interweaving of Shakespearean, plotline, and sly contemporary references in the great screenplay.
L.A. Confidential, which would make Raymond Chandler eat his heart out.
The Women, my favorite Cukor film with perhaps the gayest script ever written, by Anita Loos based on the Claire Booth Luce play. Sadly, a remake headlined by Meg Ryan is said to be in the works.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? The stylized acting and spectacular scenery are topped by the majesty of the down-home soundtrack.
Can't resist the Harry Potter movies either, for reasons that are entirely mysterious to me.
I could go on and on, but let's hear from you. There are no wrong movies, and there are no wrong ways to make fun of others' favorites. Come on, tell me how crazy I am for missing your favorite!