70 Years Later: “Roman Holiday”

July 3, 2023 by Keith Garlington

At the risk of sounding cliche, they just don’t make movies like this anymore, especially romantic comedies. The 1953 classic “Roman Holiday” from director William Wyler remains a blueprint for a genre that notoriously struggles with originality these days. The beloved film turns 70 this year and to celebrate its anniversary, “Roman Holiday” is having special screenings at select theaters all around the country. And on the eve of Valentines Day, what better time to see it.

“Roman Holiday” brought together the unlikely pair of Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. It was a star-making role for a young Hepburn who at that point had mostly appeared in bit parts. But her performance in “Roman Holiday” caught the world’s eye. Her co-star Gregory Peck played a big part. He recognized Hepburn was going to be a star and was instrumental in getting her name out. Interestingly Peck wasn’t Wyler’s first choice. The director wanted Cary Grant, but Grant turned it down believing he was too old for the part (Peck once famously said that anytime he received a comedy script he knew Grant must have turned it down first).

The story for “Roman Holiday” was written by Dalton Trumbo but it was credited to Ian McClellan Hunter. At the time, Trumbo was one of the Hollywood Ten and had been blacklisted for his “communist ties” and failure to cooperate with Congress. To make things even more interesting, “Roman Holiday” won the Academy Award for Best Story (as the category was known at the time). Hunter would accept the award and it wasn’t until 2011 that Trumbo received full credit for his work.

Trumbo’s fairytale follows Ann (Hepburn), a princess of an unmentioned country who is on a European tour-stop in Rome. Ann is young and adventurous and has had enough of the strict itineraries and stuffy hobnobbing. She wants to experience life outside of her tightly controlled confines. One evening, after the royal family doctor gives her a sedative to calm her anxiety, she sneaks out before it kicks in, ready to take in the sites and sounds of Rome on her own.

Enter American reporter Joe Bradley (Peck). He stumbles across Ann who has fallen sound asleep next to a fountain. He doesn’t recognize her at first, but after a comical series of events he learns her identity and sees her as a big story and a potential career boost. One that could land him a coveted job back in New York.

Joe doesn’t reveal to Ann that he recognizes her, and Ann tries to keep her identity secret. He calls on a photographer friend of his, Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert), to secretly snap some photos of Ann for their big story as the three spend a playful day exploring Rome. But true to rom-com form, Joe begins to have feelings for Ann. So he’s faced with a decision: does he give in to his feelings or cash them in for a big payday?

The film was shot entirely in Rome by DPs Henri Alekan and Franz Planer. Shooting on location wasn’t quite as common as it is today, and the expense increased the budget so much that the original plans to shoot the film in color were scrapped. Regardless, it was the right choice. Rome, with all its history and beauty, plays a significant supporting role, and some of the movie’s more magical scenes feature Ann and Joe at some of the city’s famous locations. (A favorite is a playful moment at the famed Mouth of Truth where Peck pretends his arm is stuck in the monument and lets out a scream. It’s said Hepburn knew nothing of the gag and was genuinely startled, letting out a scream of her own. It was completely spontaneous and Wyler captured it in one take).

“Roman Holiday” would go on to earn 10 Academy Award nominations. Aside from Trumbo’s win, it was also awarded for Best Costume Design, and perhaps most notably for Best Actress. The win would catapult Audrey Hepburn, who was relatively unknown at the time, into the spotlight and open the door to what would be a stellar career. Peck was right with his appraisal of the young actress and she was always appreciative. The two remained close friends for the rest of their lives. The roots of their shared admiration is clearly seen in “Roman Holiday”, and is a big reason they’re such a memorable on-screen couple.

I still love “Roman Holiday” – the sparkling chemistry of its leads; its keen sense of humor; how it captures and incorporates the beauty and vibrancy of Rome. To this day it continues to be a movie easy to get lost in, which is what you want, especially from a romantic comedy. I want to be swept away with the characters. I want the story to be inviting, the humor to be smart, and the romance to be genuine. We get all of that and more in “Roman Holiday” which is a big reason why it’s still considered an all-time great, even after 70 years.

REVIEW: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)

June 30, 2023 by Keith Garlington

Let me be perfectly honest and open – I have a soft spot for the Indiana Jones franchise that’s a mile wide and a mile long. It’s one of the biggest reasons that I loved the first three movies and genuinely disliked the fourth one. My childhood is marked by endless memories of the series’ titular archaeologist and college professor. Whether I was seeing the original three movies in the theaters or taking my replica whip and my grandfather’s wide-brimmed fedora and making up my own adventures, Indiana Jones has been indelibly etched into my personal history.

So there was no way I was going to miss seeing “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”, the fifth and final feature film adventure for this adored character. At the same time, I entered it with hopes that we would be seeing a fitting and heartfelt farewell for Indy and one that more closely resembled the first three films than the Crystal Skull debacle. It certainly had the potential. And with a budget nearing $300 million, it was clear Disney and Lucafilm weren’t taking any shortcuts.

This latest Indy adventure instantly had a lot going for it. It starts with Harrison Ford who returns to play what is arguably the 80-year-old screen legend’s most beloved character (although I know some Han Solo fans who might disagree). The film also benefits from having the great Mads Mikkelsen as its chief antagonist. He’s not handed the most well-rounded villain here. But Mikkelsen is always a treat.

**Image Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures**

“Indy 5” is also helped by the addition of James Mangold, a smart and savvy director who clearly has a love for the franchise. He makes a few missteps and miscalculations, but for the most part Mangold is able to capture the spirit of Indiana Jones. His film is fun, action-packed, laced with humor, and with just the right amount of nostalgia to give us die-hard fans the warm and fuzzies.

But “The Dial of Destiny” isn’t without its problems. To its credit, it’s considerably better than Crystal Skull which admittedly isn’t the highest bar. But it doesn’t have the spark of the three earlier (and far superior) movies. There are flickers here and there, but it can’t maintain that playful energy of the better films. One reason is because it’s simply too long. Mangold and his three fellow screenwriters (Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and David Koepp) draw things out way longer than they need to and the occasional lulls are hard to miss.

There are also the issues of comedy and chemistry. The Indy movies have always had a sense of humor, much of it situational and almost always with pitch-perfect timing. The humor is definitely present in this one. But the jokes aren’t nearly as effective or even memorable.

Then there’s the chemistry. Among the many things the three earliest films had in common was a sparkling chemistry. In “Raiders” it was between Indy and Marion. In “Temple of Doom” is was between Indy and Short Round. In “Last Crusade” it was between Indy and his father. Sadly “Dial of Destiny” has nothing comparable. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a nice addition playing Indy’s goddaughter, Helena Shaw. She and Ford share several good scenes and they play off each other fairly well. But there’s nothing that really stands out between them. I know that may sound like a small thing, but it’s noticeable.

Yet “Dial of Destiny” still connects in the places where it counts most. First off, the story is full of Indiana Jones signatures that fans should love. The awkward situations Indy finds himself in; the hilariously loud sound whenever he punches someone; the way his hat always finds its way back to him; how he continues to find ways to be a thorn in the Nazis’ side. And then there are the many references to classic franchise characters and past movie moments. Sure, there’s a bit of fan service involved. But it works.

As for the story, the bulk of it is set in 1969 and follows a tired and melancholy Indy. He’s all alone after separating from his wife Marion and he’s left will little to do since recently retiring from teaching. But his dull and lonely life gets a jolt when his goddaughter Helena shows up inquiring about the Antikythera, also known as Archimedes’s Dial. It’s an ancient orrery split into three pieces and her late father lost his mind trying to unlock its secrets.

Indy has one piece of the dial and Helena wants it. But so does Nazi astrophysicist Jürgen Voller (Mikkelsen). Indy, Helena, and her sidekick Terry (Ethann Isidore) find themselves racing around the globe to find the remaining two pieces before Voller and his henchmen can get them and use the dial for their own nefarious purposes. It all culminates in a truly wacky yet undeniably fun final act spin before beautifully sticking the landing with a truly terrific final scene.

It may not capture every facet of a classic Indiana Jones adventure, but “Dial of Destiny” has so much that fans should enjoy. The action is mostly thrilling (despite some occasionally wonky CGI), John Williams’s final film score is as sweeping and epic as ever, and Harrison Ford simply IS Indiana Jones through and through. So resist the urge to over-analyze and embrace what you love about the previous films. If you do you’ll find a satisfying final chapter that lets the franchise end on a significantly better note. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS

Warner Bros. Releases Trailer #2 for the Highly Anticipated “Dune: Part Two”

June 29, 2023 by Keith Garlington

As if the first trailer didn’t stir up enough excitement for Denis Villeneuve’s eagerly awaited “Dune: Part Two”, now we get a second trailer that reveals even more about the stunning dystopian science-fiction epic. The mind-blowing visuals, massive scale, incredible cast – everything is on display in this spectacular three-minute new look.

Villeneuve is picking up where he left off in telling the story of Paul Atreides who’s played again by Timothée Chalamet. I admit, for me Chalamet is one of the weaker pieces of the trailer and I hope his performance is better than the snippets we get. But everything and everyone else absolutely shines. It’s going to be a long wait, but this new trailer reminds us that we have something pretty special ahead of us.

First Glance: “Retribution”

June 29, 2023 by Keith Garlington

You know what time it is. It’s time for another Liam Neeson action thriller. These things are as reliable as the seasons and I admit to getting a kick out of them. Not all of them land. But enough do and I honestly enjoy watching Neeson do his thing. His latest, “Retribution” dropped its first trailer and it quickly caught my interest. It has a pretty wacky premise. But it’s the kind of premise that could provide some fun and reliable popcorn entertainment. That’s what I’ll be looking for.

Directed by Nimrod Antal, “Retribution” sees Neeson playing Matt Turner, a financier who finds himself in quite the pickle. While driving his two kids Matt gets a call from a mystery man who has put a bomb underneath his car. The man orders Matt to perform a specific series of tasks across the city or he will blow him and his children to bits. And as the trailer shows us the man certainly means business. Lionsgate did well with the trailer and this could be a fun and thrilling nailbiter.

“Retribution” hits theaters August 25th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

First Glance: “Bird Box Barcelona”

June 28, 2023 by Keith Garlington

In December of 2018 Netflix released “Bird Box”, a Sandra Bullock led post-apocalyptic horror thriller that became an overnight sensation for the streaming platform. The film was based on a Josh Malerman novel and was directed by Susanne Bier. While critics were a bit tepid, the film gained a big following which has led to “Bird Box Barcelona”, Spanish spin-off from the filmmaking duo of Álex and David Pastor. Netflix has dropped the first trailer and it looks pretty wild.

“Bird Box Barcelona” introduces a new set of characters, this time in post-apocalyptic Spain. It follows a father named Sebastián (Mario Casas) and his daughter Anna (Alejandra Howard) as they navigate the titular city which is being decimated by an entity that can drive people to kill themselves simply by looking at it. Along the way they meet some who become welcomed allies and others who are as vile and deadly as the mysterious entity itself. It’s a pretty compelling and wicked trailer and I’m interested to see what the Pastor’s have in store for us.

“Bird Box Barcelona” premieres July 14th on Netflix. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

REVIEW: “Prisoner’s Daughter” (2023)

June 27, 2023 by Keith Garlington

After premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, director Catherine Hardwicke’s film “Prisoner’s Daughter” is finally getting its proper release. The rather straightforwardly titled drama is written by Mark Bacci who puts together a touching yet routinely formulaic story. Yet he crafts characters who are easy to invest in largely because of the two terrific performances from Kate Beckinsale and Brian Cox.

“Prisoner’s Daughter” is a nice return for Hardwicke whose earlier 2023 film “Mafia Mamma” didn’t exactly hit its marks. Here she explores a number of familiar themes yet they’re ones rooted in real-life circumstances. It explores shattered relationships, forgiveness, and second chances in a way that won’t catch anyone by surprise. Still the sincerity that Hardwicke and her cast bring out of these characters forms the backbone of what is a heartwarming family drama.

Cox plays Max MacLeary, a well respected inmate in a Las Vegas prison who is diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer while serving his sentence. His doctor gives him four maybe five months to live. Elsewhere his estranged daughter Maxine (Beckinsale) struggles to support her whip-smart twelve-year-old son Ezra. She works long hours at several low-paying jobs and still can’t afford her son’s epilepsy medication. To make matters worse, her deadbeat drug-addicted ex Tyler (Tyson Ritter) keeps showing up and causing trouble.

Max is surprised when the prison’s sympathetic warden informs him of an opportunity. He can leave prison and spend his remaining days under house arrest. But there’s one significant catch – his daughter must agree to let him live with her. At first Maxine wants no part of it. She hasn’t spoken to her father in twelve years and the wounds from their turbulent past are still deep. But due to her desperate need of money, she agrees so long as he pays rent and covers his own expenses.

This sets up the family dynamic that sits at the core of the “Prisoner’s Daughter”. Its overall trajectory is pretty obvious and (again) not much about it will catch you by surprise. The only real suspense comes in the last 15 minutes where the film takes a clever yet not especially cathartic turn. Still we remain engaged thanks to Beckinsale and Cox who create and develop an organic and compelling central relationship through performances that feel rooted in the real world.

There are a few more touches that I enjoyed. For example I always enjoy seeing Ernie Hudson. Here he plays Max’s old friend who mentors and trains young boxers at his downtown gym. I also appreciated how Hardwicke tells her story while (mostly) steering clear of schmaltz.

Overall “Prisoner’s Daughter” may not do enough to set itself apart from the multitude of other redemption and reconciliation movies out there. But it gets by on the heartfelt chemistry of Kate Beckinsale and Brian Cox. They take a fairly routine arc and infuse it with a welcoming emotional heft that keeps us invested even if we have a good idea of where their story is going to end up. “Prisoner’s Daughter” releases in select theaters on June 30th.