13 reviews
- movieman-200
- Jun 14, 2005
- Permalink
Arthur Hiller's "The Americanization of Emily" is a film that courted controversy with its subject matter. While the sexual elements of the film were somewhat bold for its time it's the film's anti-war sentiment that pushes the buttons of folks even today.
While anti-war sentiment may have been justified during the Vietnam War (which hadn't really escalated yet) this story is set during WWII. That, in my mind, hurts the film's message. The lead character's self-proclaimed 'cowardice' is difficult to see in a positive light when he's in a war that basically *had* to be fought. I also don't think that the film's ending is really true to what preceded it. Even with these faults, though, Paddy Chayefsky's script shows the touch of a master.
Although the cast didn't get an any Oscar attention there are a number of good performances to be found here. James Garner oozes charisma in the lead role and Melvyn Douglas stands out as the gung ho, but cuckoo, admiral. James Coburn also contributes admirable support while Julie Andrews puts in a solid but unremarkable performance in the female lead.
Hiller's direction is well handled and the film shows ample refinement. The Omaha Beach scene won't leave you thinking of "Saving Private Ryan" but the film's two Oscar nominations for black-and-white cinematography and art direction weren't for nothing. I can't remember anything about the score so it must have been pretty average.
With a film like this, the message of the movie could turn you off entirely. I suggest approaching it with an open mind and not taking it too seriously. It is, first and foremost, a comedy, after all.
While anti-war sentiment may have been justified during the Vietnam War (which hadn't really escalated yet) this story is set during WWII. That, in my mind, hurts the film's message. The lead character's self-proclaimed 'cowardice' is difficult to see in a positive light when he's in a war that basically *had* to be fought. I also don't think that the film's ending is really true to what preceded it. Even with these faults, though, Paddy Chayefsky's script shows the touch of a master.
Although the cast didn't get an any Oscar attention there are a number of good performances to be found here. James Garner oozes charisma in the lead role and Melvyn Douglas stands out as the gung ho, but cuckoo, admiral. James Coburn also contributes admirable support while Julie Andrews puts in a solid but unremarkable performance in the female lead.
Hiller's direction is well handled and the film shows ample refinement. The Omaha Beach scene won't leave you thinking of "Saving Private Ryan" but the film's two Oscar nominations for black-and-white cinematography and art direction weren't for nothing. I can't remember anything about the score so it must have been pretty average.
With a film like this, the message of the movie could turn you off entirely. I suggest approaching it with an open mind and not taking it too seriously. It is, first and foremost, a comedy, after all.
- sme_no_densetsu
- Jan 21, 2010
- Permalink
(1964) The Americanization Of Emily
COMEDY DRAMA/ ROMANCE/ WAR
Adapted from the 'novel' written by William Bradford Huie, which viewers have to adapt their mind to the James Garner character who's job description is what the US army would call a 'dog-runner'. He plays a Lt. Cmdr. Charles Edward Madison, who works as an intern for top admirals, which 'dog runners' provide them with whatever they want, whether it'll be girls, food or liquor etc... and it just happens to be somewhere on England too. One of the major problems I had was that, I had a hard time trying to figure out whether it was set during WWII, or did it take place right after it, since many references were being made throughout without grasping it's actual time frame, for it made many suggestions. And by the time it reached more than the half way mark, that was when I finally was able to tell that the time this film was based on was right before D-Day. The second problem is that the top admiral, played by Melvyn Douglas appears to be, too laid back for my tastes. I mean, to document a movie is one thing, but to send thousands to their deaths is another. At the beginning, viewers get to subject themselves to see how a 'dog-runner' operates- not just an introductory description about what they do, before Charles begins to fall in love with a volunteer war widow, Emily(Julie Andrews). And it complicates matters even more, when Charlie's admiral wanted him to film the very first sailor/ soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach, even though Charles himself has no known army training experience, nor know anything about film making, except that he does know how to act like a complete coward, which was why he liked being a 'dog runner' in the first place. Because it's based on something that is made up, it's still quite entertaining because of the likable cast of James Garner, Julie Andrews, Melvyn Douglas as the Admiral William Jessup, and James Coburn as Cahrles best friend "Bus". Like 'Saving Private Ryan', 'From Here To Eternity' and 'MASH' and many others, it's just another one of those movies with an actual set up, with a fictional story built into it.
Adapted from the 'novel' written by William Bradford Huie, which viewers have to adapt their mind to the James Garner character who's job description is what the US army would call a 'dog-runner'. He plays a Lt. Cmdr. Charles Edward Madison, who works as an intern for top admirals, which 'dog runners' provide them with whatever they want, whether it'll be girls, food or liquor etc... and it just happens to be somewhere on England too. One of the major problems I had was that, I had a hard time trying to figure out whether it was set during WWII, or did it take place right after it, since many references were being made throughout without grasping it's actual time frame, for it made many suggestions. And by the time it reached more than the half way mark, that was when I finally was able to tell that the time this film was based on was right before D-Day. The second problem is that the top admiral, played by Melvyn Douglas appears to be, too laid back for my tastes. I mean, to document a movie is one thing, but to send thousands to their deaths is another. At the beginning, viewers get to subject themselves to see how a 'dog-runner' operates- not just an introductory description about what they do, before Charles begins to fall in love with a volunteer war widow, Emily(Julie Andrews). And it complicates matters even more, when Charlie's admiral wanted him to film the very first sailor/ soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach, even though Charles himself has no known army training experience, nor know anything about film making, except that he does know how to act like a complete coward, which was why he liked being a 'dog runner' in the first place. Because it's based on something that is made up, it's still quite entertaining because of the likable cast of James Garner, Julie Andrews, Melvyn Douglas as the Admiral William Jessup, and James Coburn as Cahrles best friend "Bus". Like 'Saving Private Ryan', 'From Here To Eternity' and 'MASH' and many others, it's just another one of those movies with an actual set up, with a fictional story built into it.
- jordondave-28085
- Apr 27, 2023
- Permalink
It's an anti-war satiric comedy set in England in May and June 1944 during preparations for and the immediate aftermath of D-Day. It follows an adjutant to a rear admiral helping to plan the naval side of D-Day as the adjutant tries to avoid participation in filming the invasion of Omaha Beach.
Before the war, Lt. Commander Charlie Madison (James Garner) was an assistant night manager at a luxury hotel in Washington, D. C. He's very talented at providing comfort and services to those in command and ends up as the valet for Admiral William Jessup (Melvyn Douglas). Another assistant to the admiral is Lt. Commander Paul Cummings (James Coburn). Soon after setting up the admiral's quarters in England, Charlie meets one of the motor pool drivers, Emily Barham (Julie Andrews). She's a war widow who has also lost her brother and father to the war.
Charlie is a sexist and initially repels Emily, but she is fascinated by his "American" ways. Her British style attracts Charlie, and he makes a friend of Emily's mother (Joyce Grenfell) after a rant about the hypocrisy that surrounds the heroism of warfare.
Admiral Jessup, while intoxicated and depressed about the death of his wife, orders Charlie and Paul to make a movie of the first casualty on Omaha Beach because he wants to underscore the importance of the U. S. Navy as opposed to the army. The film follows Charlie's efforts to avoid that assignment and the consequences when he is unable to avoid joining the invasion.
Garner and Andrews have good chemistry in their roles. James Coburn is good as the gung-ho counterpart to Garner's "coward." Several of Garner's speeches roundly mock much of the virtue-signaling that accompanies war; I'm not sure a movie of this type would be made by a major studio today. "The Americanization of Emily" is dated in its sexism, but it does contain some good lines.
Before the war, Lt. Commander Charlie Madison (James Garner) was an assistant night manager at a luxury hotel in Washington, D. C. He's very talented at providing comfort and services to those in command and ends up as the valet for Admiral William Jessup (Melvyn Douglas). Another assistant to the admiral is Lt. Commander Paul Cummings (James Coburn). Soon after setting up the admiral's quarters in England, Charlie meets one of the motor pool drivers, Emily Barham (Julie Andrews). She's a war widow who has also lost her brother and father to the war.
Charlie is a sexist and initially repels Emily, but she is fascinated by his "American" ways. Her British style attracts Charlie, and he makes a friend of Emily's mother (Joyce Grenfell) after a rant about the hypocrisy that surrounds the heroism of warfare.
Admiral Jessup, while intoxicated and depressed about the death of his wife, orders Charlie and Paul to make a movie of the first casualty on Omaha Beach because he wants to underscore the importance of the U. S. Navy as opposed to the army. The film follows Charlie's efforts to avoid that assignment and the consequences when he is unable to avoid joining the invasion.
Garner and Andrews have good chemistry in their roles. James Coburn is good as the gung-ho counterpart to Garner's "coward." Several of Garner's speeches roundly mock much of the virtue-signaling that accompanies war; I'm not sure a movie of this type would be made by a major studio today. "The Americanization of Emily" is dated in its sexism, but it does contain some good lines.
- steiner-sam
- Jan 18, 2023
- Permalink
It's hard not to be typecast after playing a magical nanny and a nun-in-training in back-to-back box office smash musicals, but there are some movies where you can watch Julie Andrews playing women with less than perfect morals. One of her early ones, released the same year as Mary Poppins, was The Americanization of Emily. A war drama written by Paddy Chayefsky, it was reportedly both Julie's and James Garner's favorite of their movies. Julie plays an English driver doing her part for the war effort, and when she meets James, she's not shy about telling him how much she dislikes him. He's an American, doesn't take much seriously, and scrounges up black-market goodies for his many girlfriends. However, he is handsome; even though she's a war widow, she realizes life is short and life during wartime is even shorter. They have an affair, and she's determined to keep her emotions out of it - can you even imagine Julie Andrews doing such a thing?
In the supporting cast, you'll see Melvyn Douglas, as James's commanding officer, and James Coburn, as a carefree soldier more interested in girls than in fighting. In a bit of silly publicity, the promotional poster features Coburn with his arms around half-naked bimbos, even though that's one minute of the movie. This is a dramatic war romance made even better by two good-looking people. Although it's clearly made in the 1960s instead of the actual war era of the 1940s (just look at the hairstyles), it's still a fun movie to soak into during a rainy afternoon.
In the supporting cast, you'll see Melvyn Douglas, as James's commanding officer, and James Coburn, as a carefree soldier more interested in girls than in fighting. In a bit of silly publicity, the promotional poster features Coburn with his arms around half-naked bimbos, even though that's one minute of the movie. This is a dramatic war romance made even better by two good-looking people. Although it's clearly made in the 1960s instead of the actual war era of the 1940s (just look at the hairstyles), it's still a fun movie to soak into during a rainy afternoon.
- HotToastyRag
- Jun 4, 2022
- Permalink
Paddy Chayevsky's script and Arthur Hiller's direction run a smooth course and fine line in The Americanization of Emily, featuring an unrepentant coward determined to stay out of battle during WW2. He nevertheless finds himself in the first wave of the Normandy Invasion due to the hair brained scheme of his superior officer.
Naval officers Charlie Madison (James Garner) and Bus Cummings (James Coburn) have done a superb job of avoiding the fight under the command of a dementia showing Admiral Jessup (Melvyn Douglas). Military gophers they specialize in making things comfortable for those away from the fighting, especially themselves. Charlie meets a Brit Wac (Julie Andrews) and falls head over heels but his cowardice turns her off. When Jessup gets the idea to sacrifice someone on the beach for Navy, Bus volunteers Charlie.
Half 40s romance, half cynical satire Emily does an excellent job of presenting both themes fairly evenly through compartmentalizing with Coburn spelling Andrews to both debate and enter him into the fray without putting too much weight on Julie's shoulders to carry all of the discussion.
Garner and Andrews make for an excellent pairing with Julie registering in this serious role between Sound and Poppins. Coburn is his usual energized self with Douglas ditto gruff.
The Americanization of Emily may not have the more accusatory tone towards the military that followed in the years ahead in anti war films. It has to compromise with the heavy romantic/comedy aspect of the story, but there are more than enough moments to make the point about the futility and waste of war that the cast and its makers pointedly make.
Naval officers Charlie Madison (James Garner) and Bus Cummings (James Coburn) have done a superb job of avoiding the fight under the command of a dementia showing Admiral Jessup (Melvyn Douglas). Military gophers they specialize in making things comfortable for those away from the fighting, especially themselves. Charlie meets a Brit Wac (Julie Andrews) and falls head over heels but his cowardice turns her off. When Jessup gets the idea to sacrifice someone on the beach for Navy, Bus volunteers Charlie.
Half 40s romance, half cynical satire Emily does an excellent job of presenting both themes fairly evenly through compartmentalizing with Coburn spelling Andrews to both debate and enter him into the fray without putting too much weight on Julie's shoulders to carry all of the discussion.
Garner and Andrews make for an excellent pairing with Julie registering in this serious role between Sound and Poppins. Coburn is his usual energized self with Douglas ditto gruff.
The Americanization of Emily may not have the more accusatory tone towards the military that followed in the years ahead in anti war films. It has to compromise with the heavy romantic/comedy aspect of the story, but there are more than enough moments to make the point about the futility and waste of war that the cast and its makers pointedly make.
As long as you have this movie on tape, where you can rewind through some of the long, boring war-talk parts, you'll enjoy this movie. James Garner plays a cowardice army man (so what is he doing in the army?) who doesn't ever want to see fighting but uses his position to meet and woo women. Emily Barnham is (Julie Andrews at her prettiest) is his girlfriend, attracted to Charlie (Garner) because she believes that he really can pull off not being caught in World War II. What would make the movie interesting unless Garner went to war? So of course Emily's torn to bits, one of Julie's finest screen moments. I suppose a 7/10 was fair, only because I got bored in a few places. It's definitely worth seeing though, especially if you're a Garner or Andrews fan.
The Americanization of Emily - Report Card
1964s The Americanization of Emily, based on the 1959 book of the same name, is a rare piece. It's not often you see such a cynical look at the military and war in the context of World War II. How well does the movie hit its points? Does The Americanization of Emily hold up?
PLOT (Spoiler Free)
Lt. Commander Madison is a self-described coward; he is in the military but does everything he can to avoid combat, while on assignment working in London for an admiral he meets the titular Emily. After heated debates and well executed dialog the two fall hard for each other and discuss the real costs of war while attempting to find a way out of Madison's dangerous upcoming assignment.
The Americanization of Emily is slow to start, focusing much of the first half on the main characters learning to love each other and discussing their views. The dialog though saves the beginning of the movie, the cynical discussions on American involvement, war heroes, and clashing views were enough to keep me engaged until any real conflict takes place. Once the conflict is introduced, Madison being given an arguably trivial suicide mission, the plot kicks into high gear. There were genuinely shocks and twists that were unexpected and well placed making the last hour of the movie fly by.
Plot Grade - B+ 89/100
Character & Performance
James Garner, playing Lt. Commander Madison, plays an excellent coward. Unrepentant and proud to have survived thus far. Garner gives several longer monologs and never of them overstay their welcome, Garner's performance allows his character to have both an character arc, yet emotionally ending at the exact same place as he started.
Julie Andrews, the titular Emily, is given the most dynamic arc. The entire film is about "Americanizing" her stereotypical British attitude. Emily's character traits slowly and brilliantly morph throughout the film and it is all beautifully performed by Andrews, proving she was more than just the singing babysitter and singing nun from her two most recognizable performances from the era.
Where the characters falter most is in its supporting characters. James Coburn's Lt. Commander Cummings is constantly flipping motivations and ideals with little to no provocation. Melvyn Douglas' Admiral Jessup, while shines towards the end of the movie, depicts mental illness and stress in such a disappointing way it does not invoke the humor I believe it was meant to.
Characters & Performances Grade - B- 82/100
Cinematography
The Americanization of Emily is well blocked and beautiful to look at when it put forth the effort. Scenes early in the film are well blocked and show the sets are interesting when the characters do not do as much. Towards the latter half of the movie though the production was forced to use stock footage to save on budget and it shows, while this does not ruin the movie by any means the jump between stock footage and actual movie jarred me more than once.
Bonus points to a wonderful and awkward shot of James Garner being the only man on an undisturbed Omaha beach moments before the DDay invasion begins. (+5)
Cinematography Grade - B 86/100
Again, The Americanization of Emily is rare piece. It tackles concepts and ideas that wouldn't be touched again for maybe a decade. The film introduces both sides of controversial topics and handles them in adult, well-spoken ways. While James Garner and Julie Andrews deliver powerful performances the movie falters most when it is trying to be funny at moments that just feel inappropriate. Despite the comedy falling short in this comedy / drama / war film there are more than enough interesting moments and ideas to keep most anybody entertained.
FINAL GRADE - B 86/100 (257/300)
Please remember that Film, Television, and all art is 100% subjective. Do not let this, or any review or rating stop you from enjoying or seeking out any product.
1964s The Americanization of Emily, based on the 1959 book of the same name, is a rare piece. It's not often you see such a cynical look at the military and war in the context of World War II. How well does the movie hit its points? Does The Americanization of Emily hold up?
PLOT (Spoiler Free)
Lt. Commander Madison is a self-described coward; he is in the military but does everything he can to avoid combat, while on assignment working in London for an admiral he meets the titular Emily. After heated debates and well executed dialog the two fall hard for each other and discuss the real costs of war while attempting to find a way out of Madison's dangerous upcoming assignment.
The Americanization of Emily is slow to start, focusing much of the first half on the main characters learning to love each other and discussing their views. The dialog though saves the beginning of the movie, the cynical discussions on American involvement, war heroes, and clashing views were enough to keep me engaged until any real conflict takes place. Once the conflict is introduced, Madison being given an arguably trivial suicide mission, the plot kicks into high gear. There were genuinely shocks and twists that were unexpected and well placed making the last hour of the movie fly by.
Plot Grade - B+ 89/100
Character & Performance
James Garner, playing Lt. Commander Madison, plays an excellent coward. Unrepentant and proud to have survived thus far. Garner gives several longer monologs and never of them overstay their welcome, Garner's performance allows his character to have both an character arc, yet emotionally ending at the exact same place as he started.
Julie Andrews, the titular Emily, is given the most dynamic arc. The entire film is about "Americanizing" her stereotypical British attitude. Emily's character traits slowly and brilliantly morph throughout the film and it is all beautifully performed by Andrews, proving she was more than just the singing babysitter and singing nun from her two most recognizable performances from the era.
Where the characters falter most is in its supporting characters. James Coburn's Lt. Commander Cummings is constantly flipping motivations and ideals with little to no provocation. Melvyn Douglas' Admiral Jessup, while shines towards the end of the movie, depicts mental illness and stress in such a disappointing way it does not invoke the humor I believe it was meant to.
Characters & Performances Grade - B- 82/100
Cinematography
The Americanization of Emily is well blocked and beautiful to look at when it put forth the effort. Scenes early in the film are well blocked and show the sets are interesting when the characters do not do as much. Towards the latter half of the movie though the production was forced to use stock footage to save on budget and it shows, while this does not ruin the movie by any means the jump between stock footage and actual movie jarred me more than once.
Bonus points to a wonderful and awkward shot of James Garner being the only man on an undisturbed Omaha beach moments before the DDay invasion begins. (+5)
Cinematography Grade - B 86/100
Again, The Americanization of Emily is rare piece. It tackles concepts and ideas that wouldn't be touched again for maybe a decade. The film introduces both sides of controversial topics and handles them in adult, well-spoken ways. While James Garner and Julie Andrews deliver powerful performances the movie falters most when it is trying to be funny at moments that just feel inappropriate. Despite the comedy falling short in this comedy / drama / war film there are more than enough interesting moments and ideas to keep most anybody entertained.
FINAL GRADE - B 86/100 (257/300)
Please remember that Film, Television, and all art is 100% subjective. Do not let this, or any review or rating stop you from enjoying or seeking out any product.
- logicpopcorn
- Dec 2, 2019
- Permalink
- tadpole-596-918256
- Jul 31, 2020
- Permalink