Fanny
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Movie Reviews of Fanny
Movie Review: Finally "Fanny" Remembered
Summary: 5 Stars
My prayers have been answered. "Fanny" is now on DVD in a beautiful copy. Now you, that have never heard of "Fanny", can luxuriate in the romance of this classic. The mixture of joy, passion and tragedy are infectious. And what performances! Charles Boyer and Maurice Chevalier in the same film. Boyer is blustery and magnificent as Marius' father and Chevalier, in an Oscar-nominated performance, is Boyer's perfect foil as the self-sacrificing Panisse. Leslie Caron, in the title role, simply dominates the screen in a role that goes from a silly teenage girl to a remarkably complex mother. And Horst Bucholz, a sadly underrated actor, keeps the whole thing revolving around his angst-ridden anti-hero.
I recently bought the Marius Trilogy and was impressed by the first installment, but disappointed by the following sequels. Joshua Logan's version takes a sprawling soap opera and molds into an insistent three-act play, which is in large part due to the muscal librettist S. N. Berhman.
Which brings me to lament that Logan wasn't brave enough to bring the musical "Fanny" to the screen. Perhaps the critics' mauling of the screen version of his "South Pacific" made him hesitant. Perhaps Harold Rome's almost operatic style would have been too strong for the screen. It is a shame because the musical "Fanny" seems to have disappeared from Broadway and regional theatre. However, this film version does immortalize the musical's score by using it as the film's score, much like Billy Wilder did with another non-musical film "Irma La Douce." (In an interview with Robert Osbourne, its star Shirley MacLaine lamented that the film "Irma La Douce" wasn't a musical.)
Perhaps in the near future, someone like Bartlett Sher will take his stable of Broadway actors and stage "Fanny" at the Lincoln Center and the world will then rediscover this classic musical.
Until then the world will have to resort to this DVD version of "Fanny." Not bad for a last resort, in my opinion.
Movie Review: I can't believe Warner Bros. let this one get away
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the sweetest movies I've ever seen, and it is a shame that Warner Bros. didn't bother to renew their rights to it. Image Entertainment rides to the rescue, though, with a new DVD release of this classic.
When I say the movie is sweet, it manages to do so without being cheesy. Leslie Caron is in the title role as a young woman who finds herself pregnant after consummating her relationship with Marius, a young man who has a lust to travel and hates being tied down. The next day he leaves for a long sea journey. When Fanny learns of her condition, she accepts a proposal from the elderly Panisse (Maurice Chevalier) and he gives all of his love and acceptance to both her and her child. Marius returns after the child is born, never having known until he returns that he is a father. He wants Fanny back, and he and Panisse square off in a showdown over both Fanny and her child. However, Fanny has something to say about this too. It's a great film about love, responsibility, selfishness, and the root of true happiness.
It is my favorite Leslie Caron movie and a great role for Chevalier in his later years. After having just recently seen the Ernst Lubitsch musicals Chevalier starred in thirty years before, I have to say he may have grayed but he never lost that essential indescribable charm he had in his youth.
Movie Review: "...to see the isles beneath the wind..."
Summary: 5 Stars
The story opens amid the noisy fish stalls and bars of Marseille, where we meet 18-year old Fanny (Leslie Caron) who has been in love with Marius (Horst Buchholz) all her life. He loves her, too, but he dreams of running away on a sailing ship. The night before he is to leave, he and Fanny profess their love for each other. Will he stay with her or go to sea?
What a wonderful movie! I loved it as a teenager and was surprised to find I love it more now. The story moves slowly and we get to know and care about the colorful characters of the bustling waterfront, especially Marius' father (Charles Boyer) and his wealthy friend (played by Maurice Chevalier in an Oscar-worthy performance that will break your heart). Caron is a lovely Fanny and Buchholz's Marius is dreamy and full of angst; their love spans many years and we see them grow up and mature. At the end they are both sadder and wiser and you'll be reaching for the tissues.
The strong bonds of love and respect from family and friends make this a heartwarming story. The location photography is beautiful and the romantic soundtrack is unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: One of the Best
Summary: 5 Stars
"Fanny" is one of my all time favorite films. Based on an original French Trilogy (Marius, Fanny and Panisse) it started as a broadway musical. In the film, the music is relegated to background music, which actually serves the film well, providing touching moments. The films stars are at their best-you have Fanny (Leslie Caron in a luminous performance) in love with Marius (Horst Buchholz) sone of bar keeper played by Charles Boyer, Who dreams of his son taking over the business. Marius has other plans and wants to see the world by becoming a seaman. Before he leaves he and Fanny spend the night together. While he is gone, Fanny finds herself pregnant and accepts the proposal of older (much!) and wealthy merchant Panisse (Maurice Chevalier). Marius returns to find out what has happened and learns a valuable lesson-you can't always change things to what you want. A great Film and very touching!Movie Review: June Nolen author of "In Reverse Time"
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this picture in the seventies probably on TV. It haunted me for years trying to remember the title. So when I happened across it on TCM I was delighted and ordered it right away. It was just as I remembered it. A sweet and simple love story between a young girl and a young man who wanted more in his life. Of course the young girl lets him go and he finds that life outside of his hometown isn't as exciting as he had pictured. The characters are very young and make mistakes but the simplicity in their actions and hearts keeps you rooting for them. And as in most old movies there is a happy ending! I still love this movie. It makes me smile!