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Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Tradition!
"Fiddler on the Roof" is one of the great adaptations of a stage musical. It never feels staged, but perfectly fitted for the screen. With some incredibly beautiful cinematography, every moment of "Fiddler" is enchanting. We begin with soft colors and a shadow of a fiddler. Topol's first appearance in the film as Tevi, immediately shows us how personal this film will be. We get to know Tevi as he describes what it means to be a fiddler on the roof, as he talks to God (in a very personal manner, yet a manner that shows his lack of knowledge of the Torah that will be attacked by his wife and Rabi throughout the movie and his personal wit that dominates the whole wonderful film). Tevi is very much like a father of a Jane Austen book, desiring against the will of his culture, for the best of his daughters, while his wife and others involved in the family's life are concerned only about marriages for the girls that will leave them finacially secure. Like Jane Austen's female characters, Tevi's daughters are also non-traditional in their desires to marry only for love. Each of them do so, changing the lives of the family, and the community. Though Tevi is concerned primarily of his daughters' happiness, his highest priority is his faith. Though he may compromise traditions, he never compromises his beliefs. This fight then, between the happiness of his family and the traditions of Tevi's faith, bring forth the primary struggle of Tevi's character. Throughout this struggle, we see many different manifestations of it, some that are very humorous, some heartfelt, some heartbreaking, all enchanting.
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
Still bold and powerful today
In 1955 some very bold movies about youth were made including Nicholas Ray's "Rebel without a Cause" and Elia Kazan's "East of Eden." Richard Brook's "Blackboard Jungle" fits right in as another classic. Beginning with the sounds of Bill Haley's "Rock around the Clock" a sound brand new to 1955 audiences, it's still today easy to feel as if you are seeing something brand new, that in it's small way as going to (just as it really did) make a great deal of change in the entertainment industry as well as many other areas of life.
"Blackboard Jungle" stars Glenn Ford as a teacher in school filled with delinquent boys. Each boy is shown realistically. When in the first ten minutes, we expect some goofy attempt at showing what juvenile delinquency is like, we are quickly shocked to see a female teacher being threatened by one of her students. This threat of rape and murder begins an amazing trip right in the middle of this school. Glenn Ford's performance is brilliant as he sees hope for these kids in the midst of all the chaos. Through this hope, comes a brand new style of teaching, a brand new sense of respect instilled within the students, and a brand new way of life for each character in the film.
The key word of "Blackboard Jungle" is new. In the midst of a social climate with great difficulties of race relations and troubled youth, this film brilliantly tackles both of these issues in a manner that is hard but also very hopeful. No happy ending is forced, but every positive change that takes place took hard work (not only in the part of the characters, but of all involved in making the film to bring it across seamlessly and believably).
"Blackboard Jungle" is in many ways as relevant today as it was in 1955 because the messages of finding hope for change in the midst of the most difficult circumstances, is a universal theme. Therefore, this film remains bold, powerful, and inspiring. Unlike films involving teenagers to follow, "Blackboard Jungle" gives its actors a chance to truly act: to be ruthless, to be heartfelt, to be naive, or just to be. Whatever is necessary in each performance, is exactly what's given. Sidney Poitier, though a bit old for the roll, plays with such conviction that we do not for a second believe that he is not, in fact, a high school student. Every scene is believable and powerful.
Benji (1974)
2 separate movies--one great, one awful
"Benji" plays as two separate movies. The first hour is some of the highest quality family entertainment imaginable. The opening scene is made to look the opening of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It's a hilarious parody as we see this little dog being liberated into a human world. We follow Benji through his daily routine and it's delightful, often hilarious. Sure, some of the human actors are a tad nauseating, but the canines take control and that's all that matters. Benji and his girlfriend Tiffnay have a very sweet relationship, very reminiscent of "Lady and the Tramp." But when that first hour is over, so is the fun. Suddenly, a new movie starts--a ridiculous heist film. "The French Connection" on four legs? I don't think so.