tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post7832133137513093660..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: ONE OF THOSE THINGS 1971Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-63100987154462258362020-09-30T08:30:43.031-07:002020-09-30T08:30:43.031-07:00Hi Richard
What an addition to this comments secti...Hi Richard<br />What an addition to this comments section! Fascinating to have some info on the source novel. And what a surprise to have the Geeson role male! Without the threat of sexual entanglement, it sounds like a straightforward blackmail tale. In which case the gender switch is rather inspired.<br />So appreciate this little postscript, Richard, I can't imagine a copy of that book is easy to find. plus, you get the benefit of being able to assess the adaptation. Alas, as you say, we come no closer to knowing any more about Geeson's character.<br />So glad you thought to share this extra info with us...very considerate. Thank you!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-36157923956647696942020-09-29T14:26:28.181-07:002020-09-29T14:26:28.181-07:00Hi Ken,
Thanks or the kind response. As a postscr...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Thanks or the kind response. As a postscript - I managed to track down a copy of the original Anders Bodelsen novel (entitled 'Hit and Run, Run Run' in its English translation). The film does follow it quite closely, right down to the main character ‘looking through a glass darkly’ at the end — except that the Judy Geeson role was male, at times openly malevolent and not quite so enigmatic. It still worked pretty well - although obviously the dynamic was different - but I have to say I was a little disappointed, since I was hoping to learn more about what made this curious young woman tick. Still, I found the novel an enjoyable read. I guess it just about fits into the 'Scandi-Crime’ category. Also liked that haunting, melancholy little tune that helps lend the film a weirdly wistful atmosphere.Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-73621101532143248532020-07-12T21:38:31.947-07:002020-07-12T21:38:31.947-07:00Hi Richard
i'm so impressed! You're the ve...Hi Richard<br />i'm so impressed! You're the very first person I've encountered to have ever seen this film. And it's news to me that it even aired on television at one time. <br />Perhaps it's no classic, but it's a shame this well-made and interesting little film isn't more widely known. As you mentioned, the British playing Danish cast, the rare lead role for Dotrice (who is so very good here) are intriguing elements of a film that covers much of the territory Woody Allen would later explore several decades later in "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Match Point".<br />I thank you for stopping by the blog and reading this post, even bigger thanks for taking the time to comment.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-62049300358850778142020-07-11T10:10:31.879-07:002020-07-11T10:10:31.879-07:00Great to find someone else who appreciates this ob...Great to find someone else who appreciates this obscure little film. With vague memories of having seen it on TV late on a Friday night decades ago, when I was too young to get the most out of it, I only recently managed to track down a copy. The English-playing-Danish cast lent the film a curious, dislocated atmosphere somewhere between an outside-his-comfort-zone Bergman and a theatre-minded British director like Peter Hall. Enjoyed seeing that fine actor Roy Dotrice in a rare leading role, and Judy Geeson is always worth watching. Nice performances too from the rest of the cast. A film very much of its time, and all the more interesting for that.Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-22509029109665403332018-02-13T09:35:20.401-08:002018-02-13T09:35:20.401-08:00Argyle again. Ken, I'm so excited that you sa...Argyle again. Ken, I'm so excited that you saw "Revanche" and liked it! And it IS moving, which is unexpected since it's based in quite dark behavior. I need to see it again since all I can remember at this point is that I liked it and all kinds of extraneous details like the old man's white-washed house, apples and chopping wood. (Plot? Huh?) But I trust a film where visual details stick with me.<br />I covet Filmstruck, but we have not made the leap to streaming (aargh!) I would think "Dekalog" would or will be on there; it is a Criterion disc. I love good frothy entertainment as much as the next person, but sometimes I need a well-executed, long, dreary, glimpse into a tortured soul! So glad I made some connections. Thank you, as always.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-74233820022506970702018-02-09T18:41:27.092-08:002018-02-09T18:41:27.092-08:00Hi Argyle
You never fail to pay me the nicest comp...Hi Argyle<br />You never fail to pay me the nicest compliments (I'm not so sure I'm all that gifted in extracting themes from he movies I watch. I often come up blank. When I saw "Mother!" last year, my partner pulled all the themes together quickly, while I was left scratching my head), and provide such thoughtful connecting ideas to what I post.<br />I especially like it when you allude to other films related to what I've posted about, because not only does this offer me and perhaps others the opportunity to discover an interesting, unfamiliar film, but it's a way of succinctly clarifying an observation that just might be too complex to go into in detail.<br /><br />The Kieslowski films actually sounds fascinating and I'm going to see if thy have it on the streaming site Filmstruck (which is a site that sounds a bit up your alley. Have you ever checked it out? Remarkable collection and selection of films).<br />I saw REVANCHE of Filmstruck and found it absolutely absorbing and so incredibly moving. And indeed, it deals very sensitively with the humane gray areas that fall between the black and white extremes of good and bad in our natures. <br />Culturally (especially right now, as you point out) people seem to be adroit at excusing, dismissing, and rationalizing their worst instincts. There seems to be a lack of self regard in this survival tactic, because the action suggests that the individual doesn't believe they have the potential within them to be better than they are.<br />These themes are indeed a part of this movie, and (as you often do) you hit upon it even without having seen the film.<br />Oh, and as for "10 Rillington Place", that film is on a short list of movies (including William Wyler's "The Collector") that are so disturbing to me, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch them beyond the one time. It's worth a look, so I hope you make it through next time.<br />Thanks for the engaging and thought-provoking comments, Argyle!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-9545253346325824302018-02-08T08:39:24.962-08:002018-02-08T08:39:24.962-08:00Argyle here. I really admire how you are able to ...Argyle here. I really admire how you are able to pull themes out of a story. You must have had good english teachers or maybe it’s just an innate ability. I love psychologically complex films but just sort of go blank if I have to explicate them. While I’m watching I swim around in the cross-currents, later I can’t really break them down or explain them; I usually resort to, “oh, you just have to watch it.” But I do think I understand what’s being told - for me it’s a mood thing anchored to visuals. Sorry that sounds so vague. I have not seen “One of Those Things” but wanted to let you know I always trust your selections and as always enjoyed your essay.<br /><br />Your observation: “organiz(ation) and structure is but man’s way of dealing with the terrifying realization that a great many life-altering events occur by accident” really registered with me. I hate to bring up other films, but this (and your whole essay) immediately reminded me of “Dekalog” by Krzysztof Kieslowski which is a series of films based around the “ten commandments”. (Wait! Not as dreary as that sounds!!) I saw them projected from a DVD, sitting on a hard chair, on a cold winter night, in a Jewish community center conference room at least ten years ago and I was transported. They are what I think of as situation tragedies. You are dropped into a normal life and then something happens (big or little, shocking or not) and you live through how the person handles it. I cannot, off course, remember any specifics, you just have to watch them! All of his films - you just have to watch them. Normal people, stretching their ethics to do something because it will benefit them in some way (or maybe they’re just curious), sometimes telling themselves it won’t make a difference, and the adjustments they have to make all around. <br /><br />I just saw a little of “10 Rillington Place” recently and was transfixed, but I needed to go to bed. It’s now on my must-see list. In the scene I saw (early in the film) Judy Geeson didn’t quite register with me, but the very heavy sense of dread was magnetic, and John Hurt’s vulnerability was poignantly apparent. Don’t know if I can deal with it all, but I’ll try.<br /><br />Another film I’m reminded of that I have never been able to discuss with anyone is “Revanche” (2008, Austria) by Gotz Spielmann. “Bad” people trying to be good; people taking advantage because maybe no one will notice; well-meaning deceptions; opportunities for revenge taken and not. Also, I’ve just been reading several things by George Saunders and all of this reminds me of his story collection “Tenth of December” in which (among some fantastical, science-fiction like conceits) you are dropped into the minds of a variety of people who are desperately trying to find and apply some kind of ethics and morality so that they can survive a dilemma, be happy, be decent, maybe have some degree of success, or maybe just continue to live. I guess this all seems urgent right now as we watch displays of greed and thoughtlessness. Sorry that sounds so vague. Thank you as always Ken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-19625159792884359092018-01-28T20:59:19.185-08:002018-01-28T20:59:19.185-08:00Hey Ron
Wow! Very kind of you. And I very much app...Hey Ron<br />Wow! Very kind of you. And I very much appreciate the nod of thanks. I love unearthing the occasional obscurity and shedding a little light on an unsung favorite. I thank you for taking note, and I hope you continue reading this blog from time to time.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-53661340894491789182018-01-28T17:58:00.019-08:002018-01-28T17:58:00.019-08:00I haven't seen this film but just wanted to th...I haven't seen this film but just wanted to thank you for bringing some relatively obscure films to light and pointing out some of their strengths and weaknesses. Nothing more to add...just keep up the good work. I look forward to every review!Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02624356466416350251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-12963373049757805972018-01-20T17:17:07.215-08:002018-01-20T17:17:07.215-08:00Hi Mark
Hey, glad you found the YouTube copy! And ...Hi Mark<br />Hey, glad you found the YouTube copy! And your comparing this film to a Chabrol thriller is spot-on, for last year I went on a Claude Chabrol binge (via the site Filmstruck) and it was while I was searching YouTube for more Chabrol titles that "One of Those Things" came to my attention.<br />And I loved Geeson on "Mad About You"- I think most younger Americans, if they know her at all, know her from that show. Thanks for reading!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-75362554038432916322018-01-20T13:44:34.996-08:002018-01-20T13:44:34.996-08:00I've never heard of this one before either, Ke...I've never heard of this one before either, Ken, but found it on YouTube after reading your entry here. A neat Chabrol-like psychological exercise. I mainly know Judy Geeson from the 1990s sitcom "Mad About You" where she played the snooty British neighbor. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com