fromkin-23-290370

I'd just finished reading Eric Amber's "A Coffin for Dimitrios," and thought I'd watch the 1944 film adaptation. I'd assumed it would be interesting given Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet were in it. The film is a excellent adaptation, faithful the story - right until the end - with period noir filming. Yes, they changed Lorre's nationality from English to Dutch (had to account for the accent), and they changed the ethnicity of Dimitrios' first Victim (1944, a Jack Warner was Jewish). Still, a worthwhile entry in the category of mid-40s, film noir.

Breathless came out when I was 10. I just watched it yesterday. Well, tried to watch it. I know it's a film we're supposed to love for its New Wave pioneering status, but I'll take Truffaut any day. Sorry, but I found Breathless unwatchable; the two stars in my review are only for Jean Seberg's incandescent beauty.

I really wanted to like this, but I didn't. First, I enjoyed The Witch and The Northman. Second, I briefly knew Eggers' parents in Laramie, Wyoming. I get that Eggers wanted to replicate Murnau's German Expressionist atmospherics, but this new version was just too melodramatic for modern tastes. The Sarsgaards are a talented acting family, but Bill's take on Orlock was more comical than sinister. The direction was stolid, and the editing was clumsy and choppy. I much prefer Coppola's version of Dracula, with a more nuanced performanceby Gary Oldman (I'll concede Keanu Reeves' wooden performance). After a half hour, I checked out. I simply can't recommend this film.