Contagion
Steven Soderbergh
2011
Involving many characters, Contagion is a gripping tale of the CDC and WHO struggling to control the spread of a disease. It is a must-see for Jude Law’s creation of another sleazy ne’er-do-well. It is also a must for Matt Damon’s superb work — especially (SPOILER ALERT) the scene in which he is informed that his wife has died from the disease. (The excellence of the writing and playing of this scene was originally pointed out to me by reader/follower BEC).
This is an underestimated film. Apparently — according to more than one User Review on imdb — it was misunderstood as to its form and unjustly evaluated by critics at the time of its release. It is a thoughtful, intelligent and suspenseful medical thriller.
Panic in the Streets
Elia Kazan
1950
Somewhat dated in its romantic notions and emotions, this film — reputedly Kazan’s favorite of his own works — is still suspenseful as a doctor works to prevent the spread of bubonic plague in modern-day New Orleans and struggles to energize the bureaucrats apathetic about the danger.
With Richard Widmark, Jack Palace, Paul Douglas and the glorious Barbara Bel Geddes in a small, thankless role. It was an Academy Award winner as best original story. Photography by the great Joe MacDonald.
Forever Amber
Otto Preminger
1947
Cornel Wilde and Linda Darnell in FOREVER AMBER (Pinterest)
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD! The most riveting pages of Kathleen Winsor’s 1944 novel — those devoted to the plague in 1665 London — become the most memorable scenes of Preminger’s version of the book in which (SPOILER ALERT!) the heroine, for lack of a more suitable word, and her lover come down with the disease. The film is damaged by the fatal miscasting of the two leads but is helped by an outstanding supporting cast, especially George Sanders as King Charles.
PANICS AND PANDEMICS to be continued on Rick’s Flicks. (ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Rick’s Flicks is indebted to reader/follower DMG for the idea behind this blog.)
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MOVIES ARE EVERYWHERE
Especially in good novels:
Larry is carrying his small daughter Charlotte on his shoulders.
“I like Harpo best,” Charlotte said. Larry was indoctrinating her (his very small daughter) with Marx Brothers movies, as well as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
“I wonder if there is anyone in the universe who likes Chico or Zeppo best,” Larry said.
Charlotte stopped kicking. “That’s sad.”
Cathleen Schine, The Grammarians. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2019.
NEXT FRIDAY POST April 3
Until then,
See you at the DVD player or the VCR or your computer or phone screen,
Rick
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