Tag: Joseph Biroc

HAMMETT (1982)

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Directed By: Wim Wenders

Written By: Ross Thomas, Dennis O’Flaherty and Thomas Pope 

Cinematography: Joseph Biroc

Editor: Janice Hampton, Marc Laub, Robert Q. Lovett and Randy Roberts 

Cast: Frederic Forrest, Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner,  Richard Bradford, Roy Kinnear, Elisha Cook, Lydia Lei, Michael Chow, R.G. Armstrong, Sylvia Sidney, Jack Nance, Samuel Fuller, David Patrick Kelly 

Fictional account of real-life mystery writer Dashiell Hammett, and his involvement in the investigation of a beautiful Chinese cabaret actress’ mysterious disappearance in San Francisco.

This is a strange film that unfortunately commit the worst crime of all it feels a bit bland and basic by the end 

It feels like the film is trying for a recreation as it takes place on sites that you can tell are sets.  which only adds to the artificiality of it all, which is deliberate but also as we are being placed in a story, and the main character is a writer of such stories living them out we can never quite tell what is true and what is being made up. A world of stylization and an homage to studio bound detective thrillers. As well as being in a world of imagination. 

This is a production that could’ve been filled with more imagination and inspiration as it just seems to go along. Another touch might have been if it had been filmed in black and white to make it feel more of the period that it takes place in and timeless.

Though Wenders is listed as the official director of the film, the film doesn’t seem to fit his style as his films are filmed the more creatively the film is rumored to have been shot by Francis Ford Coppola who produced the film under his American zoetrope studio afterward to be more conventional. 

So that the behind the scene story itself or rumors about this film are more fascinating than the final project unfortunately

The film isn’t a biopic of famed writer, Dash Hammett but the story of a writer caught up in one of his own detective story plots as he works as a private eye on the side and seems to get inspiration from his cases.

The film is enjoyable, offering Frederick Forest, the rare leading role and he does well with it as well as Marilu Henner as his name she should’ve gotten more films as she had the looks in the talent to go further in her career as she is one of the other bright spots in this well-stocked movie 

The film ultimately is a success as long as you’re not looking for more than your typical detective starring murder mystery that stays more small scale but includes all the cliché so much so that it just feels like a typical 1940s detective story only made in the early 80s, supporting cast so many classic All-Star character actors

Grade: C 

ENTER LAUGHING (1969)

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Directed By: Carl Reiner 

Written By: Carl Reiner and Joseph Stein

Based on the Novel by: Carl Reiner

Based on the play By: Joseph Stein 

Cinematography: Joseph Biroc

Editor: Charles Nelson 

Cast: Reni Santoni, Elaine May, Jose Ferrer, Shirley Winters, Janet Margolin, Jack Gilford, Michael J. Pollard, Rob Reiner, Don Rickles, Nancy Kovack, David Opatoshu 

A young would-be actor seeks his first break.

This is the directorial debut of Carl Reiner after a long career intelligence. Based upon the play of the same name, this is a coming-of-age story that has screwball comedic elements at times but mostly stays on that fine line of comedy and trauma, though a little more lighthearted

Watching it under a modern lens, it feels a little flat, but it constantly has jokes a mile a minute and the film does have highlights. It’s quite a production.

It has a strong cast. Elaine May is sexy and hilarious one of the bigger and more memorable roles that she has played where she’s usually hilarious but this is one of a few times where she has truly lit up the screen and been sexy, sensual, goofy, and nice. A lead actress in the play hires the kid because she is attracted to him even though she knows he’s a horrible actor, she has a soft spot for him.

The lead is played by Renni Santoni, these days a well-known character actor, but then just starting out, and while he does look a little long in the tooth for the main role, who is supposed to be someone just out of high school he role out in the best of ways.

Don Rickles steals his brief scenes as he is fun and full of spirit not necessarily insulting as much as anything man does it is believable.

Jose Ferrer is also a stand-out as he is yet can be funny and is just a master of the dead. This is one of the first of his where one truly remembers him and he truly stands out.

The film leaves a long build-up that is worth it as the second half is where the film comes alive in the play that it builds up to that the characters performing in is a hilarious comedy of errors. 

It reminds one of the movies, We used to see on the cable channel Flix, which showed films from yesterday that weren’t necessarily well-known cinematic classics but are actually hidden gems that you can appreciate watching now.

In the end, the film is kind of sacred, and might find it corny or too safe humor and it’s not as funny as expected, especially with all the talent involved, but it is enjoyable and has a sweetness to it.

Though at heart contains that wild spirit of youth to make your future. Only having at times to come back down to earth when it comes to responsibilities. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a meaningful ride. 

Grade: C+