banjoboy

I've just watched this movie for the first time, and enjoyed it. Sure, a bit wooden and pared down, but the story is basically sound and the feel of the film is both inviting and mysterious. Good grown-up actors - the great Donald Pleasance in particular, of course - and the two kids in the leading parts are likable and convincing. A short question, though: Could any Californian help me with some specifics regarding the film's locations? Especially the rocky coastal landscape seen in the middle part of the film. Exactly where were those scenes shot? Is that area all uninhabited? National/State park? Any small towns overlooking the ocean? Just curious :-)

I bought this DVD mainly for the beautiful title, which I've loved since first hearing it in the mists of childhood. I knew they sang, I knew Catherine Deneuve was in it, I'd heard the theme song. When I watched it, however, I was still pleasantly surprised. This movie is truly original - I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. It's a Musical/operetta (and they sing ALL the time) but with a very realistic and quite dark storyline. The story could very well have been told as a regular drama, totally without music, and would probably have worked very well. This does not, however, mean that the operetta treatment is superfluous. Rather it adds a dimension, something eternal and bittersweet, which only enhances the poignancy of Guy and Genevieve's bleak story. This would probably be a good starting point for everyone out there who claims not to like Musicals. First, there are no transitions (people bursting out into song) since every line is sung. Second, the music never causes you to lose track of the story or the feelings it conveys. Technically, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Tartan edition from 2001. ( ASIN: B00005B5YE, Catalogue Number: TVD3326). It's letterbox, the colors and picture quality are great for a forty-year-old movie, as is the sound (quite important). Not much in the way of extras, but some interesting notes on director Jaques Remy and the actors.

It's quite interesting that Oliver & Company was Disney's animated feature in 1988, just one year before The Little Mermaid signalled the studio's renaissance. The difference in quality and appeal between these two movies could hardly have been greater. Oliver & Company is based on Charles Dickens' 19th century novel Oliver Twist, and Dickens' plot is actually quite cleverly translated to Manhattan in the 1980's, with the characters reinterpreted as cartoon animals. But even though you might recognize a lot of the story elements from the book, the movie lacks the magic and drama of Dickens' story - and of any truly classic Disney feature, for that matter. The kitten Oliver is a whining, two- dimensional imitation of the enchanting kitties from Aristocats. He is totally devoid of personality and, quite frankly, you don't really care what happens to him. The same could be said of all the other characters, with the possible exception of Bette Midler's poodle-diva Georgette. The songs (written and sung by Billy Joel) are also

uncharacteristically weak for a Disney feature. Oliver & Company is quite possibly Disneys least interesting animated feature to date, albeit with tough competition from Winnie The Pooh and The Fox And The Hound.