The Browning Version (1951)

The Browning Version is a little-known, but very good British movie. The story, adapted from a stage play, centers around a headmaster whose ailing health is forcing him to quit his job at the school where he teaches. His young wife openly cheats on him, his students mock him and his co-workers compare him to Himmler, so you know he's not the coolest dude. The events on the film force him to reflect on his career and the dreams he once had as a younger man.

The film still retains many of the trappings of its stage incarnation. Most notably are the individual scenes, which still feel like they belong more on the stage than on the screen. The camera adopts a very play-like persona, as it frequently forgoes close-up shots in lieu of longer shots that show more than one character at once. These shots allow for less cutting and probably allowed the actors more freedom to express themselves. Not that it's a bad thing, it's still a very good film.

The characters are are well-developed in a short span of time. Almost instantly, you get a feel for Mr.s Crocker-Harris, Hunter, Taplow, and especially The Crock himself, played beautifully by Michael Redgrave. It's interesting to see his character, because, to the children, he's a very imposing, mean presence. Yet, to the viewer, he's very fair and even and occasionally very funny. Though, he does recall to the mind of most viewers that one teacher you had, who seemed to see and know everything in their classroom, as if they had eyes in the back of their head.

It's interesting to watch, because here, 50 years later, across the pond, we can see how things were like going to school in Britain in the 50's. It's notable because, from listening to Pink Floyd, especially The Happiest Days of Our Lives, we're always told that schoolboys in Britain were horribly mistreated and oppressed by their headmasters. And, you can somewhat see that in the Browning Version, although I'm inclined to believe many reports are greatly exaggerated. Yet, at the same time, Brits are thought of as being entirely respectful and courteous to one another. Weird.

Mon Oncle (1958)

If you remember right, I really enjoyed M. Hulot's Holiday, Tati's earlier Hulot comedy. So, I was expecting more of the same from Mon Oncle, which completely exceeded my expectations.

With Mon Oncle, Tati has outdone himself. He's done what only the best directors/storytellers can do, he's created his own world. The world Hulot inhabits is full of life and rich in detail. Dogs run around, kids have fun, and the stuffy adults who worry more about their house than their own child constantly have to deal with their technology backfiring. Meanwhile, characters like Hulot and his nephew, Gerard, are blissfully ignorant inhabitants, choosing only to to amuse themselves with the simple pleasures of life. In Gerard, Hulot plays opposite a great kindred soul, someone with the same easygoing attitude that he has.

Even the minor characters in Mon Oncle are entirely memorable. From the kids who amuse themselves by causing small troubles for the uptight adults around town, to the street sweeper who seems to do anything he can to avoid sweeping, to the innumerable dogs who run around town with exuberance, they're all completely endearing and likable.