3 ms·

I recently watched Beat the Devil. I thought it was pretty dreadful. I had no idea it had a cult following and I can't imagine why. The film really runs out of

by js2 3y ago

I recently watched Beat the Devil. I thought it was pretty dreadful. I had no idea it had a cult following and I can't imagine why. The film really runs out of steam about halfway through and most of the actors seemed to be going through the motions. It is certainly not among the Huston films that I would recommend. Watch The Maltese Falcon or The Misfits first. That said, Ebert put it on his "Great Movies" list: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-beat-the-devil-1954 https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-beat-the-devi... It's also possibly interesting for having had a 28-year old Truman Capote as screen writer. Except that I really think Capote wasn't a good fit for Hollywood. Breakfast at Tiffany's did not translate well to screen. On the other hand, Roman Holiday is among my favorite films. It's the quintessential romcom. For a terrific and unusual red-scare inspired film, let me recommend Johny Guitar. Now that's a film that deserves a cult following.

michaelchisari 3y ago
I'd say that Breakfast at Tiffany's would make an incredible film. It's a pity they never even tried.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- js2 3y ago
  Um... it's famously a film[1] staring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. I thought it was okay. It was obviously toned down a lot from the book to meet then current sensibilities which would not offend an audience today. Ironically, there's a comedy bit with Mickey Rooney[2] that probably didn't offend American audiences at the time but that has not aged well. I also thought they added a bit too much slapstick. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_at_Tiffany's_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_at_Tiffany's_(film) 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._Y._Yunioshi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._Y._Yunioshi
  - michaelchisari 3y ago
    I'm aware.
    - js2 3y ago
      Ah, so your point is that Breakfast at Tiffany's is a terrible adaptation. It's typical Blake Edwards.

by js2 3y ago

michaelchisari 3y ago

I'd say that Breakfast at Tiffany's would make an incredible film. It's a pity they never even tried.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
js2 3y ago
Um... it's famously a film[1] staring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. I thought it was okay. It was obviously toned down a lot from the book to meet then current sensibilities which would not offend an audience today. Ironically, there's a comedy bit with Mickey Rooney[2] that probably didn't offend American audiences at the time but that has not aged well. I also thought they added a bit too much slapstick. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_at_Tiffany's_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_at_Tiffany's_(film) 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._Y._Yunioshi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._Y._Yunioshi
- michaelchisari 3y ago
  I'm aware.
  - js2 3y ago
    Ah, so your point is that Breakfast at Tiffany's is a terrible adaptation. It's typical Blake Edwards.