I remember seeing this in the cinema and being stunned by the beauty of Winger, Malkovich and the scenery but otherwise left mystified. Nothing but contempt for these moneyed, pointless people, as I was working 18 hour days in the City at the time. The same attitude ruined The English Patient for me, as by then I had added a baby to the mix. I sat watching Fiennes and Scott Thomas being beautiful and tormented by love, and muttering 'what you two need is a trip round Sainsbury's on a Saturday morning with a toddler. That's where all this takes you'.
And now, I'm going to listen to the Police doing "Tea in the Sahara" because that is for me inextricably linked to both the film and the book... this was when after seeing a film I rushed to buy the book, which I did for both this film, and talking about Sakamoto, the Laurens Van Der Post book that "Goodbye Mr. Lawrence" is based on (a cool find in a flea market, that one...)
Is it too much to say that my memory of the film, remembrances of a trip to Tangier in 1989, and your writing nearly moved me to tears on this hot Sunday afternoon?
Love the sumptuousness of B's films (especially The Last Emperor). Must watch this one again, especially as we travelled a similar route through Morocco in January (hadn't made the connection). Ait Ben Haddou has appeared in so many movies it's almost like a stage set these days!
I love the book, though I read it a long time ago, and it led me to read more Bowles; both Paul and Jane, who was a great writer herself, and, indeed, is thought by many to be the better writer of the two.
The film, though, is another matter. I simply have never been able to get on with Malkovich, and I’ve seen most everything he’s been in, and I think he was miscast here. His perma-sinister air just feels inappropriate for Port, who I pictured as more innocent, if narcissistic, naïf, rather than the callous sheen Malkovitch equips him with.
And though I simply love Debra Winger-in everything!-again, I think she’s also miscast here. She’s just too ballsy and strong for the role of Kit, and lacks the innocent, well, stupidity, the role required.
But what do I know? Ha-ha!
It is, though, as you say, a beautiful looking film; Ryuichi Sakamoto’s score complements the visuals perfectly; and Jill Bennet and Timothy Spall do comprehensively nick the limelight!
I didn’t remember Maurice Binder did the titles…are they typically brilliantly Binderesque, Luke? I shall have to look and see for myself, as I love his titles.
But another excellent communion with the silver screen somewhere in the dark, Luke.
Cheers!
PS Have many establishments been imperilled by a visit from you?
Interesting. I liked Malkovich as Port, but felt, like you, that Debra W was possibly miscast. In the book Kit's frail and blonde- but I suspect that they were deliberately channelling the Jane Bowles look? There is a definite resemblance. I should have mentioned Ryuichi Sakamoto! I kick myself. Yes, the titles are by Binder. I LOVE titles. Remember the deranged Super 8 titles in Hannibal? Sometimes they are better than the film itself. And yes, I do like a faded Colonial Hotel. The Old Cataract in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor immediately springs to mind. And a faded restaurant or bar, trading on past glories: Harry's American Bar in Paris, the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant in New York, and that restaurant on the Via Veneto, in Rome, (I forget its name) now closed, where the 50s stars used to go- Burton, Taylor and the rest- lots of black and white photos on the wall and irritating waiters brandishing phallic pepper pots.
Talking of that kind of faded glamour and glory, isn’t it about time you had a crack at The V.I.P.s? Burton and Taylor; Taylor (the other one) and Smith; Jordan and Martinelli; the old Terminal Three (of which I have very strong memories); and, last but not least, BOAC’s Speedbird. All gone now, but not forgotten…
And many a title sequence by Saul Bass or Maurice Binder has preceded a film that simply couldn’t follow up on the tantalising promise those two teased us with!
PS I also love those old places that are neither here, in the now, or there, in the past. Also,like you, I have done all those places you mentioned, except the Via Veneto restaurant, and would throw in Amsterdam’s American Hotel bar, the Gritti Palace in Venice, and the Oak Room at New York’s Plaza Hotel (despite Trump’s association with the place! Fings ain’t wot they used to be…
LOL. I mentioned the VIPS only the other day to an old friend. Yep, it's on the list. Soon. Good one. I might do Hannibal too. BOAC. God, they had a stylish livery. Blue and gold. SO much better than bloody BA. Yep- one could make a list of all these places. Faded 'once grand' hotels and restaurants. And what about the peeling stucco'd glamour of the Normandy coast? A la Casino Royale? In Fleming's book, NOT the film(s). Or Biarritz? Or the Lido? Or Le Procope in Paris? France's oldest restaurant?
Yes. I think Mark's probably right. (See comments above). Debra's probably miscast. She's too strong. That crucial bit when she goes off with the camel train? Doesn't ring true. When, in real life, Ms Winger would be getting the Foreign Legion to telegraph the American consul to get her the hell out of the place. In the book, Kit strikes me as much more vulnerable.
We miss you, Sakamoto! (bowing in reverence.)
I might do 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)' at some point. Certainly 'The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)'.
Oh yes, please!
I remember seeing this in the cinema and being stunned by the beauty of Winger, Malkovich and the scenery but otherwise left mystified. Nothing but contempt for these moneyed, pointless people, as I was working 18 hour days in the City at the time. The same attitude ruined The English Patient for me, as by then I had added a baby to the mix. I sat watching Fiennes and Scott Thomas being beautiful and tormented by love, and muttering 'what you two need is a trip round Sainsbury's on a Saturday morning with a toddler. That's where all this takes you'.
I've seen the film, but never read the book. I really should make the effort.
And now, I'm going to listen to the Police doing "Tea in the Sahara" because that is for me inextricably linked to both the film and the book... this was when after seeing a film I rushed to buy the book, which I did for both this film, and talking about Sakamoto, the Laurens Van Der Post book that "Goodbye Mr. Lawrence" is based on (a cool find in a flea market, that one...)
It is a good book! Long time since I've seen my copy....
As Marvin the Martian would say, Oh Goody!
"These I have loved." And how.
Is it too much to say that my memory of the film, remembrances of a trip to Tangier in 1989, and your writing nearly moved me to tears on this hot Sunday afternoon?
That's very kind.
Love the sumptuousness of B's films (especially The Last Emperor). Must watch this one again, especially as we travelled a similar route through Morocco in January (hadn't made the connection). Ait Ben Haddou has appeared in so many movies it's almost like a stage set these days!
I love the book, though I read it a long time ago, and it led me to read more Bowles; both Paul and Jane, who was a great writer herself, and, indeed, is thought by many to be the better writer of the two.
The film, though, is another matter. I simply have never been able to get on with Malkovich, and I’ve seen most everything he’s been in, and I think he was miscast here. His perma-sinister air just feels inappropriate for Port, who I pictured as more innocent, if narcissistic, naïf, rather than the callous sheen Malkovitch equips him with.
And though I simply love Debra Winger-in everything!-again, I think she’s also miscast here. She’s just too ballsy and strong for the role of Kit, and lacks the innocent, well, stupidity, the role required.
But what do I know? Ha-ha!
It is, though, as you say, a beautiful looking film; Ryuichi Sakamoto’s score complements the visuals perfectly; and Jill Bennet and Timothy Spall do comprehensively nick the limelight!
I didn’t remember Maurice Binder did the titles…are they typically brilliantly Binderesque, Luke? I shall have to look and see for myself, as I love his titles.
But another excellent communion with the silver screen somewhere in the dark, Luke.
Cheers!
PS Have many establishments been imperilled by a visit from you?
Interesting. I liked Malkovich as Port, but felt, like you, that Debra W was possibly miscast. In the book Kit's frail and blonde- but I suspect that they were deliberately channelling the Jane Bowles look? There is a definite resemblance. I should have mentioned Ryuichi Sakamoto! I kick myself. Yes, the titles are by Binder. I LOVE titles. Remember the deranged Super 8 titles in Hannibal? Sometimes they are better than the film itself. And yes, I do like a faded Colonial Hotel. The Old Cataract in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor immediately springs to mind. And a faded restaurant or bar, trading on past glories: Harry's American Bar in Paris, the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant in New York, and that restaurant on the Via Veneto, in Rome, (I forget its name) now closed, where the 50s stars used to go- Burton, Taylor and the rest- lots of black and white photos on the wall and irritating waiters brandishing phallic pepper pots.
Ha-ha!
Talking of that kind of faded glamour and glory, isn’t it about time you had a crack at The V.I.P.s? Burton and Taylor; Taylor (the other one) and Smith; Jordan and Martinelli; the old Terminal Three (of which I have very strong memories); and, last but not least, BOAC’s Speedbird. All gone now, but not forgotten…
And many a title sequence by Saul Bass or Maurice Binder has preceded a film that simply couldn’t follow up on the tantalising promise those two teased us with!
PS I also love those old places that are neither here, in the now, or there, in the past. Also,like you, I have done all those places you mentioned, except the Via Veneto restaurant, and would throw in Amsterdam’s American Hotel bar, the Gritti Palace in Venice, and the Oak Room at New York’s Plaza Hotel (despite Trump’s association with the place! Fings ain’t wot they used to be…
LOL. I mentioned the VIPS only the other day to an old friend. Yep, it's on the list. Soon. Good one. I might do Hannibal too. BOAC. God, they had a stylish livery. Blue and gold. SO much better than bloody BA. Yep- one could make a list of all these places. Faded 'once grand' hotels and restaurants. And what about the peeling stucco'd glamour of the Normandy coast? A la Casino Royale? In Fleming's book, NOT the film(s). Or Biarritz? Or the Lido? Or Le Procope in Paris? France's oldest restaurant?
Looking forward to it, Luke!
Surprised to find barely a mention of Debra Winger here. She is an interesting screen presence. Great piece though, and it’s going on my list…
Yes. I think Mark's probably right. (See comments above). Debra's probably miscast. She's too strong. That crucial bit when she goes off with the camel train? Doesn't ring true. When, in real life, Ms Winger would be getting the Foreign Legion to telegraph the American consul to get her the hell out of the place. In the book, Kit strikes me as much more vulnerable.