I read that The Fortune is in the Top 5 All-Time Favorite films for both Joel and Ethan Coen. Joel rates it #1. I wonder if they see themselves as Beatty and Nicholson's characters.
I thought this was an interesting but flawed film worth a second viewing. I'd like to see it again whenever it comes out on DVD. The VHS copy I watched was horrible.
Interesting. I definitely believe it. I was just watching this on TCM, and it felt like a Cohen's comedy (O Brother), the dialogue and the characters. And the trunk on the beach reminded me of Barton Fink.
Wow, I can totally see that. I just watched it for the first time too on TCM and was thinking of the Coens and how they might have made it.
Its darker themes, especially towards the end, mirror some of the Coen's comedic work, especially The Ladykillers remake, The Big Lebowski and Burn After Reading.
I liked The Fortune. It's one of those movies I'm sure many can't believe they haven't seen yet, especially considering the star power involved. I can do without the screwball stuff though....scenes where two characters are attempting a conversation or argument while another one sings, for instance. Drives me nuts..."Bringing Up Baby" comes to mind. I'll say, however, that if I have to listen to someone sing, Stockard Channing at least has a great voice.
it figures that they like this movie. this movie is full of half-baked ideas that don't make a coherent finished movie, just as most of the cohen bros. movies are full of interesting ideas that look to be just tossed into the mix cause someone thought it was a cute idea. yep, this is their type of flick. just like the ones they make. what a couple of frauds. they haven't made a good movie since they ripped off alfred hitchcock for most of "blood simple". well, i take that back. to a slight degree. "miller's crossing" was surprisingly mature and finished, an actual movie instead of the film school project that most of their flicks appear to be. and "fargo" was decent, though the smart-alecky, snarky, condescending posture they maintain towards most of the movie's characters is extraordinarily unappealing. their careers are testimony to how far one can go if you cultivate powerful and influential friends in high places.
The fact that the Coen brothers love this film does not surprise me. They are pretty odd themselves, and have written and directed some flops as well. Sometimes you can have everything and the result is nothing.
"George is dead. Call me back." RING. Hello? "Hi. It's George."