Yet another film noir. Try as I might, I simply do not see the appeal of this genre. It all seems so fake & forced.
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Everything God creates is majestic and sinless,
and that includes the human body.
not trying to convince you but sometimes you have to watch a movie like this like someone would have when it came out. what was alloed in films, what had never been done before that sort of thing but if you didnt like it its alright.
shareI think if a story is truly good, it will stand the test of time, regardless of when you watch it. (Like Shakespeare's plays, or Mark Twain's novels.)
If it relies on gimmicks, then it won't survive. A lot of these film noirs seem to rely on gimmicks, thus lacking any real substance or "timeless" quality.
The only exception I make to that rule is special defects (like the clay King Kong), because the story can still be good even if the technology of the time was fake-looking.
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>>>a really good film need not have a story at all.
Why would I want to waste my time watching a film w/o story? I might as well paint my house and watch it dry - it would probably be more existing than a film without plot.
Test of time? Well Shakespeare appeals & distances many people, I guess it is the same w/ Film Noirs. While there are those who enjoy the mediums of both Shakespeare & FM, unfortunately, it doesn't always appeal to everybody's senses, like yourself.
By Grapthar's Hammer.......what a savings.
The only thing I found gimmicky about this was some of the dialogue, otherwise I thought it was a decent film. You watch this film for Hayworth, nothing else. She's an enigma.
"She's my sister... [slap]
She's my daughter... [slap]
My sister, my daughter [slap]
[slap]"
I agree about the dialogue. Much of it was arch; by that I mean facetiously serious. Rita Hayworth was stunning though. Shame that she was struck so young by Alzheimer's.
shareMy favorite part of this movie was the sequined coat she wears home when Johnny is waiting for her. I thought I'd like it more because I love noir, but the acting seemed a bit wooden to me. Mayhap I'll try it again another time.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
Noir is wooden - or stylized to seem hard and mysterious.
shareIt's a film and a genre that grows on people. In fact, it's a grown up genre. I don't expect people in this day to revel in the sexuality or charisma of 1940s post-war Rita Hayworth. But when a modern-day person hits his or her mid-20s, and after they've see a lot more noir and Hayworth's technicolor musicals - they might develop a taste for "Gilda".
Give it a another look in a couple years. You will have something to look forward to upon repeat viewings of this film. It operates on several layers.
Just out of curiosity, how old are you?
I'm older than 20 or 30 something. I love "Double Indemnity" and that's the type of acting I expected. Yes, Gilda is beautiful but I knew she wasn't a bad girl. The men struck me as stick figures, especially Ballin and the roulette player. I watched this mainly in my quest to watch the classics I've never seen, and I thought it was going to be more fun.
I prefer comedy and color and I also respect everyone's opinions.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
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I thought it was reasonably good up until the part with the plane. Then it just descended into run-of-the-mill nonsense, and that was quite disappointing. I gave it a 6.
I will say that I did like the cinematography and costuming. Something about black and white brings that out. But it can't save the film.
I agree. One of the most boring movie ever.
I love old movies and film-noir in particular. But, I couldn't get into this one at all. RH was good - surprising good but rest of it was just rubbish.
You don't watch the movie for the story, you watch it to watch Rita. She's amazing and has the funniest lines...
"Don't you look pretty in your night gown"
I agree, I think it's mostly about the characters and how they react to each other and the situations they're in. It's more of a character study, I guess, rather than a plot-driven thing.
http://cinemastranger.blogspot.com/2011/01/gilda-1946.html
CINEMA STRANGER Thoughts on Film http://cinemastranger.blogspot.com/
It's more of a character study, I guess, rather than a plot-driven thing.
I can see your point, the strongest point to Gilda was the relationships between Johnny, Gilda and Ballin. Watching the emotional power struggle between the trio made for immense melodrama. Besides from this element I felt it was overrated. At times it felt forced particually when the focus was on Rita Hayworth singing, it seemed more like a star vehicle for her rather than a film noir.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
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Hayworth is gorgeous and the photography is awesome. Otherwise the movie felt flat. By the end I didn't much care what happened.
shareTo me, noir films such as "Gilda" are more style over substance. If you're looking the the substance of a logical plot line you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for style, this one is the top of the line.
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