I've never seen AUNTIE MAME until I was a full grown man and have seen countless of films of all sorts, from old Hollywood movies to experimental flicks from Europe to trashy, exploitation films. I've heard of AM but never sought it out. So one day I watched it when it was playing on some classic movie channel and I'm glad I did. AUNTIE MAME is a great film, one of those larger-than-life kind of films that they really don't make anymore. It's most definitely top drawer.
After I saw it for the first time, my initial complaint about AUNTIE MAME was that it's basically a filmed stage play. Nothing too difficult about that: just plunk a film camera in the middle of an empty theater and shoot the play. But after seeing the widescreen version on the DVD (as opposed to the full-screen presentation on TV), my admiration for it has grown exponentially and now see how special this film is. The folks behind the camera created something more than a filmed stageplay. The look of it (the pastel colors), the acting, everything perfectly suits the movie and they didn't need to change anything about it.
The only negative aspect I still have about AM though is the transition between young and older Patrick. The actor who plays young Patrick is very charming and fun and we become accustomed to seeing him (the heart of the movie happens during the first part) so when they change from young Patrick to older Patrick, I'm always jarred about this sudden change (besides, I've never cared much for the older Patrick). They probably should have added some scenes where Mame sees the boy grow up and becomes a young man. But that's my only critique of AUNTIE MAME.
The rest, it's just about perfect: Rosalind Russell is flawless as Auntie Mame, the craziest aunt you can ever ask for. Her delivery is amazing and I'm always in awe of her complete understanding of the character (as opposed to Lucille Ball in the dreadful musical MAME). The cast of supporting actors are great, certainly Coral Browne (wish she had more scenes though). Again, the look of the film is a revelation on DVD (great use of Cinemascope) and the story is wickedly subversive with endlessly quotable dialogue (Exclusively what and restrictive to whom?) which, in the end, is the main reason why I really like this film. The story is a tad episodic, and like I've said before, the transition between young and old Patrick could have been done a bit better but story is about Mame's adventurous lifestyle and the episodic aspect of the screenplay suits it to a T. In fact, I'm glad the film didn't settle with just one boring storyline.
Wickedly funny, heartwarming and great to look at. What more can you ask for?
After I saw it for the first time, my initial complaint about AUNTIE MAME was that it's basically a filmed stage play. Nothing too difficult about that: just plunk a film camera in the middle of an empty theater and shoot the play. But after seeing the widescreen version on the DVD (as opposed to the full-screen presentation on TV), my admiration for it has grown exponentially and now see how special this film is. The folks behind the camera created something more than a filmed stageplay. The look of it (the pastel colors), the acting, everything perfectly suits the movie and they didn't need to change anything about it.
The only negative aspect I still have about AM though is the transition between young and older Patrick. The actor who plays young Patrick is very charming and fun and we become accustomed to seeing him (the heart of the movie happens during the first part) so when they change from young Patrick to older Patrick, I'm always jarred about this sudden change (besides, I've never cared much for the older Patrick). They probably should have added some scenes where Mame sees the boy grow up and becomes a young man. But that's my only critique of AUNTIE MAME.
The rest, it's just about perfect: Rosalind Russell is flawless as Auntie Mame, the craziest aunt you can ever ask for. Her delivery is amazing and I'm always in awe of her complete understanding of the character (as opposed to Lucille Ball in the dreadful musical MAME). The cast of supporting actors are great, certainly Coral Browne (wish she had more scenes though). Again, the look of the film is a revelation on DVD (great use of Cinemascope) and the story is wickedly subversive with endlessly quotable dialogue (Exclusively what and restrictive to whom?) which, in the end, is the main reason why I really like this film. The story is a tad episodic, and like I've said before, the transition between young and old Patrick could have been done a bit better but story is about Mame's adventurous lifestyle and the episodic aspect of the screenplay suits it to a T. In fact, I'm glad the film didn't settle with just one boring storyline.
Wickedly funny, heartwarming and great to look at. What more can you ask for?