Hill-2 Reviews

A Foreign Affair (1948)

Berlin,l946,the Army takes over,Dietrich soars

[10/10 · 27 October 2004]

A dazzling movie,standing with Billy Wilder's very best, and surely it has Marlene Dietrich's finest performance. Berlin, l946...bitter...witty...haunting story, interesting characters, evocative stuff.

You can go back and back to savor this one.The talk is terrific, and the urgency of feeling, and the sharp comedy and underlying drama are pure gold. Dietrich's songs, "In the Ruins of Berlin," and "Black Market" ,show a Great Star doing her superb stuff.

Stolen Life (1939)

An exquisite film

[31 July 2003]

First version of the famous story, the good twin and the bad twin...Elisabeth Bergner's most subtle, beautiful film performance. Superb finale, in the Acropolis in the moonlight. Far richer than the Bette Davis re-make. Please help find this and bring it to new audiences! Michael Redgrave outstanding as the leading man caught between the two.

Saratoga Trunk (1945)

Brilliant, witty, romantic drama--first class!

[19 March 2002]

The ultimate entertaining, hugely satisfying movie experience. Gary Copoper and Ingrid Bergman at their absolute peak, she in a role so different from her others--witty, flirtatious theatrical--a light-year from the nun in BELLS OF ST. MARY'S the same year. Sharp, live-wire screenplay from an engaging, bright novel by Edna Ferber, her best. Great Steiner music, quality supporting cast, sumptuous production, full of personality. A treasure.

The House of Mirth (2000)

Superb film, close to a masterpiece

[11 December 2001]

If you settle into this, park your need for zap-zap action, watch the faces, listen to what is said, really get engaged in the movie, you'll have an extraordinary treat. Itgoes back to,another world, l905, and the heroine trying to live on the edge of the Beautiful People of that era. Very powerful.

Keeping the Faith (2000)

Wonderful movie, funny,witty,moving

[11 December 2001]

I have now seen this movie six times, as I keep wanting people to see it and often lend them the tape or sit down with them and aim their heads at the TV! A lot of it is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, or, better, witty. A lot of it is very moving, with strong feelings about friendship, love, being in love, commitment., "calling." Not in a preachy way, those things are right in the story and in the delightful and wise talk and performance