Hello and welcome to another episode of Highbrow! Lowbrow? Jesse and Shaun get together every two weeks or so to compare and contrast the Best Picture Academy Award Winner and top box office earner of the same year to see who was right: the critics or the masses. Be sure to listen below with the link provided and let us know what you think in the comments. On this episode, we're going to review two movies from 1958: the parisian gala, Gigi (Highbrow) and the wartime musical, South Pacific (Lowbrow).
Gigi, directed by Vincente Minelli, focuses on young Gigi (played by Leslie Caron) being taught the ways of womanhood and courtship as her relationship with playboy Gaston (played by Louis Jourdan) grows more complex and confusing. Mixed feelings abounded this movie as Jesse enjoyed it as a light hearted romp, but Shaun grew tired of it's flighty premise and shallow ended message. There are some pretty fun songs, but they are ultimately forgettable. The set design and resultant atmosphere really crafted the world of old gay Paris. Gigi and Gaston do have some nice chemistry as they have fun together without the trappings of a relationship, but it grows dreary as they begin to realize their feelings are growing. Maurice Chevalier is occasionally charming as Gaston's lecherous uncle, and her aunt is a classically cruel character. Overall, Gigi is a light hearted film that celebrates the gaiety of Paris and romance it fosters but is held back by somewhat of a tired plot.
South Pacific, directed by Joshua Logan, is about an army unit in the South Pacific as they deal with the confusing romantic entanglements they face during wartime in a foreign land. Nellie, an army nurse, courts Emile, a french businessman with ties to the enemy, as she tries to navigate his mysterious past. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joseph Cable has an island romance with Liat who he is afraid to commit to during wartime. This is a vibrant film especially due to the severe color tinting done in certain scenes. Jesse enjoyed it as a unique and artistic choice, while Shaun felt it wasn't utilized well enough to implement it into the story. There are a ton of several fun songs throughout this film, from the exciting "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy", to the catchy "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair." The relationships of both couples (Nellie and Emile, Joseph and Liat) are both rather flimsy, with Nellie having issues with Emile for the wrong reasons and Joseph having a somewhat shady and possibly offensive relationship with Liat. While they may fit for the 1950's, it's hard nowadays to believe great romances that are built off of ignorance. There are a couple of great cameos in the film from Tom Laughlin (the infamous Billy Jack) and Ray Walston (character actor) that add to the fun of the film. Overall, this film has a lot of excitement and fun that make it worth watching despite it's poor story.
So what film did Jesse and Shaun end up picking this week? The light-hearted romance of Gigi or the epic musical that is South Pacfic? Be sure to listen to the latest Highbrow! Lowbrow? to find out.
South Pacific, directed by Joshua Logan, is about an army unit in the South Pacific as they deal with the confusing romantic entanglements they face during wartime in a foreign land. Nellie, an army nurse, courts Emile, a french businessman with ties to the enemy, as she tries to navigate his mysterious past. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joseph Cable has an island romance with Liat who he is afraid to commit to during wartime. This is a vibrant film especially due to the severe color tinting done in certain scenes. Jesse enjoyed it as a unique and artistic choice, while Shaun felt it wasn't utilized well enough to implement it into the story. There are a ton of several fun songs throughout this film, from the exciting "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy", to the catchy "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair." The relationships of both couples (Nellie and Emile, Joseph and Liat) are both rather flimsy, with Nellie having issues with Emile for the wrong reasons and Joseph having a somewhat shady and possibly offensive relationship with Liat. While they may fit for the 1950's, it's hard nowadays to believe great romances that are built off of ignorance. There are a couple of great cameos in the film from Tom Laughlin (the infamous Billy Jack) and Ray Walston (character actor) that add to the fun of the film. Overall, this film has a lot of excitement and fun that make it worth watching despite it's poor story.
So what film did Jesse and Shaun end up picking this week? The light-hearted romance of Gigi or the epic musical that is South Pacfic? Be sure to listen to the latest Highbrow! Lowbrow? to find out.
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