Indiscreet
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Movie Reviews of Indiscreet
Movie Review: Kind Sirs, Where Art Thou?
Summary: 4 Stars
Fervent desire often overlaps into soft-porn territory in the cinematic language and carnal images of the aughties, to the extent that the old-fashioned romantic in some of us yearns for timeless gems such as "The Philadelphia Story," "Casablanca," "Picnic," "Charade" and "Indiscreet." These films, among others, remind us of courtship's necessity in modern times. This reviewer has nary a word against adult nudity on film -- that is, when it is handled artistically and sans embarrassment as in many European films. However, more offensive than today's shock stock are the inane romantic comedies of the early 21st century made by directors/auteurs who believe that casting attractive actors precludes translating their fertile imaginations to plausible, well-plotted scripts.
While admittedly not a perfect film, Stanley Donen's "Indiscreet" (1958), starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, realistically captures the first blush of courtship between two middle-aged adults -- one deceptive and the other prudent -- and charts their reluctant romance. Sure, the camera loves Grant and Bergman, but it is their fine acting combined with clever dialogue that sculpts "Indiscreet" into a classic.
In too many scenes to count in "Indiscreet," Philip Adams (Grant) and Anna Kalman (Bergman) stare longingly into each other's eyes with a searing intensity that surpasses mere consummation of a love affair. For example, in the breakfast nook scene at Anna's London apartment, Philip allows his meal to grow cold while watching Anna prepare hers at the stove. ("It's servants' day off" was her seductive phone invite earlier that morning.) From his dining chair, he practically burns a hole through his paramour's apron. One of Bergman's best lines is spoken at the table: "Stop. Good manners spoil good food," she quips. Once seated, she too finds it nearly impossible to eat because her suitor is drinking in her gaze. More than once they sip their tea, pause to stare at each other, then resume sipping.
Where are the subtle expressions of courtship -- the furtive glances, tender kisses and sexual innuendos -- between a mature man and a mature woman? Unfolding on screen in "Indiscreet," for certain. How memorable are the nighttime tableaux detailing the first date between the vulnerable London-based stage actress and the arrogant American diplomat! After overindulging in champagne at a private club where Anna's brother-in-law, Alfred, is a member, they arrive too late to attend a ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet and decide to give Anna's tickets to two teens. Here is where Grant delivers one of the most understated lines in the movie: "I know how the story ends -- sad." (That comment, not simply a reference to the Shakespearean drama, could have been meant as a social statement about conservative adults' opposition to young love in 1950s America -- i.e. the waltz vs. rock 'n roll.) Rather than have the evening end on a failed note, Anna and Philip return to the club for more libation and laughter topped off by a late-night stroll past London monuments, while Anna's chauffeur and a few of her fans trail them.
The final scene of Anna and Philip's first night of courtship exemplifies how erotic fire is handled subtly in "Indiscreet." (Of course, there is enough sexual tension in the violins alone.) The pair share banter about a nightcap before disappearing into Anna's apartment and shutting the door. When the camera zooms out from the shot of that closed door, the visual effect and erotic impact are more telling than a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging on the doorknob outside a honeymoon suite.
By stark contrast, many "R"-rated flicks today are nothing but prurient lessons in heavy-handed debauchery. Gone are the ethereal gazes, graceful kisses and balletic gestures of yesteryear. Unlike the light dalliance observed in "Indiscreet," even today's so called "PG-13" flicks opt for overt, gratuitous scenes of lingerie shedding and naughty/scatological word lashing that have no transcendent significance. Even the Bertolucci films "Last Tango in Paris" and "The Sheltering Sky" treat scenes with nudity and sex as moving sculptures and paintings, and reserve curse words for existential statements.
While I do not seek metaphysical meaning in "Indiscreet" and other films of like ilk, I do expect a great romance and a gorgeous film score. Who knows? The Bard himself might approve -- the absence of ill-fated lovers notwithstanding.
Movie Review: A delicious homage to two great actors, and acting.
Summary: 4 Stars
What could have been inconsequential, pseudo-sophisticated, theatrical tosh is turned into something more valuable by the terrific acting of Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, and the clever direction of Stanley Donen. 'Indiscreet' succeeds because Donen doesn't try to open up an unwieldly play for the screen, but rather exploits its thematic potential, as he did in his great masterpieces 'Singin' in the rain' and 'Funny Face'. When we first see Bergman, she is framed through proscenium arches, making her entrance like an actress. She turns out to be an actress. The problem in her life is men who pretend to be one thing and turn out to be either shabby or dull; in other words, poor actors. The attraction of Grant is that he seems so genuine - he admits his failings, he confesses about his wife, he expresses himself in the only way he knows, by spending money.
We might tend to agree with Bergman's sister that he is too perfect. He is a monstrous heel - or a great actor - who enjoys the detached privileges of bachelor life and who has no intention of getting married, and so sidesteps the question by pretending he is.
What had already been a masterclass in the art of screen acting becomes even more so now. Bergman is terrific: convincingly weary, even mousy, as she returns to her lonely apartment after another romatntic failure, she becomes radiantly transformed by love. Her reaction to betrayal is equally masterly, so that as an actress playing an actress, she gets to run the gamut of histrionic emotions.
Cary Grant is something else. To begin with, there is something distant in his performance, as if he is more of an ideal that a person, someone who always says the right things, or horrible things in the right way. Some of the film's best comedy comes from its deadpan euphemism - it is a 'sophisticated' romance about adulterous sex that never mentions it; everything is revealed on the faces of the actors who seem to be in on the joke with sharper audience members. Otherwise, you might be watching a film about tea. Grant's sexual frustration early on, turning his charm into something nasty, is brilliant. But when Grant is exposed as 'acting', everything changes. Perhaps he is now aware of being watched; his performance becomes broader, more physical, more engaged.
In a Terence Rattigan film, all the sumptuous decor would be an intellectually deadening signifier of class - here, all the (mostly Cubist) paintings on Bergman's walls point to the fragmentation or distortion of her identity through constant role-playing, and her attempt to assert it once and for all. As a film about London, 'Indiscreet' is a nocturnal counterpart to 'The Sandwich Man', a gorgeous, almost surreal tribute to a city, where lovers are spied on by lumbering limousines, in a capital as delicately stylised as a stage set.
Movie Review: Good stars, good chemistry.... Bad presentation
Summary: 4 Stars
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman make a superb team together, and it really is a shame that they only acted together once before, in "Notorious" (which I would also recommend for anyone to see). Ingrid is really perfect for this role, considering that she had just reproofed her scandal overseas with a married man, and she shines, especially in those moments of rare, open comedy (the moment when she screams "How dare he make love to me and not be a married man" and then shrieks loudy before stomping off into her bedroom is hilarious--not simply because the line is a bit of an ironic statement, but because you would not normally expect her to do something of that nature.) Cary Grant, is, of course, sublime, with his cool, ironic British humor and cast-off attitude setting off Ingrid's smiling charms with excellent balance, though the most charming aspect of Grant's performances is that he always manages to look the buffoon, somehow, and yet still be completely tangible to the audience. When we find out that he has lied about his being married and hurt Ingrid, we really should be sympathizing with Ingrid over the whole affair. Yet when he's dancing madly around Inrgrid at a dance later, not knowing that she is aware of his secret, he still grins broadly, as if with the knowledge that he is, and always has been, entertaining and completely charming, and we can't help but still adore him for that.
The only thing that I found a tad daunting about this movie was the camera work, and some of the longer scenes. In the beginning, you are given a full view of the apartment where the two lovers meet, and granted, it is a lovely apartment. But after about 5 minutes, you really begin to wish that the camera would zoom in, or refocus, or something, at least, that could hold your interest. Looking at the same people in the same, pulled-out view for a longer amount of time than comfortable was really annoying, which was a shame, because it detracted severely from the actors' performances. I really had expected more of Donen, after seeing his work in "Singin' in the Rain." But, then again, "Singin' in the Rain" had Gene Kelly as co-director--that probably accounted for the difference.
Other than that, it's a completely enjoyable film to watch, and I would recomment seeing it. The DVD is a superb transfer, with color and sound that really pop out, and really showcases Ingrid and Cary at their very best.
Movie Review: How indiscreet!
Summary: 4 Stars
"Indiscreet" is one of those cute, frothy romantic comedies that wouldn't be remembered if it didn't star great actors. In this case, it's Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, who get to flirt, smile and lie through their teeth, and bring an average script to life as they do so.
Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) is a wealthy, accomplished actress in London, but she's just about ready to give up on finding Mr. Right. But then her brother-in-law brings sexy, handsome diplomat Philip Addams into her apartment, and Anna is smitten. She accompanies him out on the town, and finds that he is as attracted to her as she is to him.
There's only one problem: He's married, and his wife won't agree to a divorce. But Anna decides to get involved anyway, and she and Philip embark on a quiet affair, which is deeper and more loving than any of her prior relationships. But then Anna finds out that Philip lied -- he isn't married after all. Unsurprisingly she's furious, and hell hath no fury like a woman sort-of-scorned...
Yeah, it's a frothy, thin sort of plot, and you can predict the ending as soon as Philip says he's married. But anyone who enjoys light, sweet romance is going to enjoy this movie just for the sight of Grant and Bergman playing off each other. That is the best part of the movie, and without those two, it would have just another lightweight Hollywood confection.
The script and direction are solid enough, with lots of low-key humor. It's more likely to produce chuckles than belly laughs, with scenes like Bergman encountering Grant for the first time... wearing a bathrobe and facer cream. And it's paired with a sweet script that is just quirky enough. "How dare he make love to me and not be a married man!" Bergman wails when she finds out the truth.
In fact, this is one of the few movies that shows us how funny Bergman could be; usually she got put in heavy dramas and thrillers. She's world-weary but naive, sweet and a bit fiery. And Grant does his trademarked performance -- dapper, wise and a little tricky. Together they have some wonderful chemistry.
"Indiscreet" is a movie made for low-key romance, some gentle humor, and a pair of actors who were at the height of their powers. Indiscreet, but lovely.
Movie Review: A nice romantic comedy...
Summary: 4 Stars
Although this is not one of my all-time favorites, it is still a funny and charming film. In many ways, it is not as good as many of Cary Grant's earlier screwball comedies...but that can also be a matter of personal taste. The script is not as witty and frantic as the screwball comedies, but the movie is more romantic and is given a real sense of warmth by the affectionate behavior of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Essentially, Indiscreet is the story of a romance between actress Anna (Ingrid Bergman) and diplomat Philip (Cary Grant). There are several surprising twists and turns, and to explain anything more would be to give too much away.
Anyhow, one reason Indiscreet is such a nice film is that the real life friendship and warmth between Cary and Ingrid comes though very well, and they are very believable together! Indiscreet also has several funny scenes, especially the one in which Cary does a hysterical tap dance at a fancy ball. The two stars seem to be having fun, and you will too while watching them. This film is good for the whole family, and is very enjoyable: highly recommended.