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Reviews
Scrooge (1951)
My favorite version of this story
Of all the versions of "A Christmas Carol" I've seen--on film and on stage--the 1951 film with Alastair Sim as Scrooge is my favorite. No one does the pre-epiphany Scrooge better (Reginald Owen was suitably menacing, but a bit wooden, in my opinion) and his rendition of Scrooge on Christmas morning never fails to make me "as merry as a schoolboy" and "as giddy as a drunken man." This version is also the richest of the lot, due to the excellent supporting cast and wonderfully evocative sets. Particularly good are the Cratchits, Mrs. Dilber and Joe, the (for want of a more "period" term) the fence.
My only complaint would be the visual and sound quality of the film. All the copies I've seen on television, as well as VHS, seems to have come from the same grainy master. The first time I saw this film, I was surprised it was only from 1951, as it seemed to be in worse shape than many films I've seen that were fifteen years older. This may have been deliberate, but I can't imagine why. This is a minor complaint and some may find it makes the film more atmospheric. At any rate, enjoy and "God bless us, every one."
The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
Unexpected and compelling film.
A plot synopsis of this film has been provided by at least one other reviewer, so I'll skip that. What was striking and refreshing about the film was its refusal to get psychological. I don't think anyone can watch this--especially the first 15 minutes--without wondering where Max's incredible anger comes from. It would have been tempting for the writer/director to include some sort of exposition of his childhood and/or his relationship with his mother and other women, either as flashback or monologue. Instead, what you see is what you get. Max is infantile and uncivilized (as the title implies) and no bones are made about it.
Still it's tempting to speculate. For example, one wonders if his life became chaotic after the loss of his initial girlfriend--the one we get a very good look at in the beginning--or if it was always like that. Does the absence of unconditional love throw his life into nihilistic disarray, or does he just require a girlfriend to keep his house clean? Why does Mei-Ling accept him twice, the second time after he's humiliated her horribly*? Does she see a big teddy bear in there or is she taking him on as a project? I see this as a strength of the film. Too much psychologizing feels like condescension. "Here. Let me explain every motive the characters have because I'm sure you're not sharp enough to think about them on your own." This is an excellent and powerful film, which ultimately imparts a sense of tenderness and peace without ever becoming mawkish.
*After having thought about it and, thanks to comments from other viewers, I have a theory about this question. If a Buddhist would enter hell in order to save another person from it, Mei-Ling continued to accept Max in order to take his place in hell. Perhaps the Buddhists know that such an act will redeem them both.