Suit Up would surpass the title of Bullets or Ballots--a universe where the entire race of men (except the average police officer) wears a suit and a fedora. This creates the complication of discerning the good guys from the bad. The men appear quite clonish (a word that I've created, meaning the propensity to be a clone), because each man repeatedly appears similar to the next man. At the time, the audience had the ability to differentiate this problem--after 79 years that knowledge is lost to us me. The scenes from the trailer, present groups of men in cramped rooms, exhibiting immense anxiety disorders-- screaming at each other furiously. Several state they're the boss of the mob, but it's difficult to understand if anyone is indeed in charge. I would ask if it's worth the angst and high blood pressure--meanwhile happiness is but a fleeting thought? How could people live this way? Why not relinquish the futile frustration and move to a ranch in Montana, where children and cattle can be raised, and live happily ever after? After watching the trailer several times, I realized that the movie simply deals with the major issue of organized crime, and the true story (Hollywood's truth) of one man who brought the syndicate down, and not just loud men running amok.
This film receives a complete thumbs down, as I would only watch it for food if I were starving, I received large sum of money, or to save the life of a loved one. A film dealing with the mob, made in the thirties, in black and white and containing an insufficient story line, will not be in my immediate future, though the parts showing Edward G Robinson knocking down grown men, with the effort of a child, are quite humorous.
Jimmy Stewart was a man of considerable acting skills, and appeared in countless movies which are highly regarded in the industry. Twenty eight years old in 1936, he acted in eight movies that year, including The Thin Man, and thus we have the problem with Born To Dance, and to sum it up, I ask, "what was he thinking." The thought of Jimmy Stewart singing and dancing in a musical feels quite puzzling, and unbelievable. I might not protest so hardily except that he's terrible at singing--something he admits in a later interview (video below trailer). The problems don't end with his performance--the concept of the story revolves around a sailor and a tap dancer, and she's gotta dance, which disappoints him (he may have wanted her home in the kitchen). I believe Powell was a well loved star in the thirties, though she's not a name I recognize.
The trailer offers the development of several love interests, though any enthusiasm, to satisfy my urges, to watch the romance in this movie are nonexistent. Expand this mixture to incorporate extravagant show tunes-- singing, dancing, countless men playing tubas, and scene after scene of exaggerated smiling--this movie recipe doesn't interest me in the least. 100% thumbs down!
Two people commit the same unforgivable social faux pas in 19th century Russia, though one is completely shunned by society, and the other one keeps their standing in the community. What did the unfavorable person do to lose their position by all those forcing their judgments and mores? Her one unforgivable transgression--she was born a woman, and throughout history men were forgiven or revered for the same actions which destroyed the opposite sex. Poor Anna's no exception to this sexist rule, and when she leaves her harsh, unloving husband for her lover, she must endure the hardship of living without friends--no one will allow her into their home, and if she arrives at a public event, the whispers and intolerable glances will drive her away. I've read the book in the distant past, and the haunting sadness is carried over to the movie. Greta Garbo portrays Anna and her sorrow is felt each time her haunted face appears on screen. Tolstoy created a monster in Anna, and the only way to destroy the character he brought to life--her death by suicide. She threw herself under a train, and the problem of what to do with Anna was instantly solved to everyone's satisfaction.
Feelings of sadness, repress my desire to watch another movie where a woman's power is nonexistent, and her struggles to survive are overpowered by crushing defeat, and for this reason I've designated a thumbs down for the film, though I believe it's an excellent, flawless movie.
#/media/File:Anna_Karenina_1935.jpg)
