MovieChat Forums > You Can't Take It with You (1938) Discussion > I don't like Frank Capra

I don't like Frank Capra

posted 11 years ago by lisztnet
8 replies | jump to latest

I only watched 25 mn :

You easily spot that Frank Capra is the father of all modern cinema, and this movie inspired every one, for example Sidney Lumet (12 men...) all modern cinema which deals with men at work and social matter rather than romance and melodrama, but also French and Britain movie makers where influenced, the "nouvelle vague", alain résnais, joseph losey, because of the surrealist/ weird content.

So this is one of the most important movies ever. It's unbelievable modern ! no music, to make it more realistic. It is both realist and beyond realism regarding the lot of animals for example, every one has an animal. The dancing scene is also too nice for being just real.

I don't like James Steward here, and his mannerism (hands...)

Why the link to Sydney Lumet ? Well, notice that people are introduced without names, so who is the leading character ? the focus is on a series of types, rather than individuals. It's a portrait of main types in the society, average American individuals. Every characters stands for a lot and is somewhat too clear for being a real individual. That's the problem, if you paint all society, you can't seize an individual. Anyway in my opinion, we can't really look inside the characters and have empathy with them, because we don't know them very much...

This was certainly the path toward modern cinema, trying to make something new, getting rid of old scripts and overcharged emotional content. You can also see Orson Welles here (well i don't like him neither).

[–] dannieboy20906 11 years ago

Except that it isn't new material, but is based on a stage play. I haven't see it as a play, so I don't know how much Mr. Capra changed it. Who cares?

I have read that John Wayne hated Frank Capra, too. He thought Mr. Capra was a socialist. Maybe he was. Who cares?

Don't take the movie seriously, just enjoy the ridiculousness of the situation. Not everything needs to be taken seriously.

One of the assets that we enjoy, one that helped us wind the Cold War against the commies was our ability to laugh at ourselves.

[–] novastar_6 11 years ago

I haven't see it as a play, so I don't know how much Mr. Capra changed it.

I know. For one thing, in the play there was NO subplot about Kirby trying to buy Grandpa's house, that was just to fill time for the movie. Also there was no Mr. Poppins, but a drunk actress named Gay Wellington who was ALSO present for that fateful dinner with the Kirbys, who Penny brought home to read one of her plays. Also in the play, The Grand Duchess Olga Katrina came to dinner and cooked blintzes for everybody, she was a friend of Kolenchov's.

Also on the night of the dinner, Penny suggests a word game, which reveals that the Kirby's sex life is in very poor shape because the only thing Mr. Kirby can focus on at the time is Wall Street.

More importantly, in the play there's a dialogue where Tony reveals that his father had dreams of being a trapeze artist and a saxophone player, and even ran away from home when he was 21 because his father tried to force him into the same business he's in now. Grandpa mentions 'before they clean out my closet, I'd give the saxophone a few more tries'.

All of this said, they're each different in their own ways, but BOTH ways DO work. I don't rightly believe either one is any better than the other.

[–] rtw416 11 years ago

You form this opinion after 25min?
Where did you get your Doctorate in film making,English lit or did you even go to school?
Overall,your opinion is vacant.

[–] JacintoCupboard 10 years ago

How many anchovies does one need to eat to decide whether one enjoys them? Liking something or not, isn't actually an opinion: deluded subjects aside, it is a reality. Not that opinions should be derided because they differ from your own.

It's ok for people to like different things to yourself, and just as ok for people to hold opinions and express them. That makes for a better world I think. Certainly a more interesting, varied and vibrant one.

While I am here, I am not a fan of Capra either, and this film is just passable for my tastes. And yes, I did watch the whole thing, and many other Capra movies as well. The OP's observation that many later directors copy Capra in various ways, is astute. For some of us that isn't necessarily a good thing. If that works for you, then that's just dandy.

[–] rtw416 11 years ago

Frank Capra is a genius!

I just saw "You Can't Take it With You" last saturday. It was my first time. From Capra, I have seen before "It's a Wonderful Life". Two great movies!!! Capra just want to make us happy! He showed us the way for it... He was a storyteller. Not a camera "stylist" director as Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese and many others. He's a great storyteller - what qualify him as a good director too.

I love this picture! One of my 10 favorites of all time, for sure!

[]s

Otávio

[–] rtw416 10 years ago

You got all that from 25min....

[–] MADDOXRJM 9 years ago

Ive got the feeling that Capra wouldn't like you either. I could not care less what you the OP thinks. You seem angry and negative. If I were in your presence I would leave.

[–] cuechick 8 years ago

Touche' MADDOXRJM!