Pure Capra
Added 3/16/2010
Please note I saw this movie on TV so I can't speak to the quality of the video transfer or its features.
This movie is pure Capra from beginning to end. Lionel Barrymore is superb as the nominal patriarch of a bunch of eccentric free souls, who, long before the 60s and its "tune in, turn on, drop out," message, basically had the same idea back in 40s era Manhattan in this very funny movie. It's interesting that Barrymore plays the anti-capitalist here when he played the wealthy and greedy Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life, again with Jimmy Stewart. The residents of this looney bin pursue various hobbies including dancing, playing the xylophone, writing plays, making scary rubber masks, and producing spectacular fireworks in the basement--which are always going off--lending various pops, bangs, and whooshes to the already pretty zany ambience of the place.
When the son of a stuffy but very wealthy Wall St. financier (played by Edward Arnold who is perfect in this role) falls for Barrymore's granddaughter, the stage is set for a confrontation between the two families and their contrasting lifestyles--money and status vs. being true to yourself and doing your own thing. But despite the father and mother's disapproval, love wins out in the end. I note some of the reviewers here didn't like the movie and preferred the stage play. Well, I didn't see the play and can only say this is just another fun, warming, positive, and enjoyable Capra movie. The world could use another Capra and his uplifting message the way the world is going these days.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A weaker Capra classic...
Added 3/1/2010
I like Capra a lot. This, for me, was one of his weakest efforts. While it has its moments, and a few nicely played performances, the overall feel of the film is underwhelming (and a tad forced) and comes off sloppy as apposed to Capra's more polished and effective works. In fact, if you took some of his best moments (`Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', `It Happened One Night' and `It's a Wonderful Life') and threw them together into one film you'd have `You Can't Take it With You', a film that should (but rarely does) work.
The overall plot of the film is rather predictable and familiar. Alice comes from a poorer family than her boyfriend Tony, who happens to be very, very wealthy. Tony's family is very apposed to his relationship with Alice, but he doesn't care and wants his family to accept Alice and her family for who they are, which just so happens to be a group of eccentric people who put pleasure before responsibility.
Yes, I know that this is a `big business is evil' type film (which is not an uncommon idea for Capra), but it comes off foolish.
The whole idea of Grandpa Martin Vanderfof and his `life philosophies' are really hit or miss. The idea that one should enjoy his life as apposed to ruining it for wealth is a positive and poignant one, especially when you contrast his character with that of Anthony P. Kirby, his nemesis and polar-opposite. But, realistically, the Vanderfof clan live a really absurd and pointless existence. He is painted as a wise and sympathetic man, but he is rather foolish and irresponsible. That, and it's hard to believe that anything that happens in that house would actually take place. It's far too, silly.
The film is really a hodgepodge of clichés, both society-wise as well as purely Hollywood-wise (every romantic-comedy cliché is thrown at the audience).
But, there are some highlights here.
For me, this film is about a few central performances that elevate the material. I love Jean Arthur (I would have given her the Oscar, which she wasn't even nominated for, in 1939 for her brilliant work in `Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' over Vivian Leigh) and think she is splendid here, even it she isn't given much to really work with. Lionel Barrymore, despite having a ridiculous character, makes every scene shine brightly. The best in show award goes to Edward Arnold though, who manages to give us a believable transformation thanks to his ability to add layers of character development in every scene. I mean, just the small smile he gives when Penny insults his wife's `hobby' is a beautiful way to give a crack at this man's harsh exterior.
But with the good comes the bad, and performances like that from that horribly stereotyped Russian guy just serve to knock this film down a peg or two (that performance was just gross).
Anyways, like I said, this one is hit or miss. I liked it in parts, but as a complete package it is not one that I would recommend or care to really watch again. Loved Arnold though, so see it for that (if you love film and love evaluating performances, I'd recommend you see it just to get a glimpse at a stunning supporting performance). I give it a C, nothing more, nothing less.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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cant play dvd
Added 2/11/2010
I am unable to play this dvd because I am in the wrong region. I need to know how to return it and replace it with a dvd that will play in my region.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Region 2??
Added 1/16/2010
We ordered a copy of You Can't Take It With You because we were going to direct the play and we wanted to get an idea of how to cast. We didn't relize what a "region 2" dvd was nor that we were ording one. When it arrived yesterday we tried to play it but got a "region error" and we were unable to play it. There was no warning as to what a "region 2" dvd might be or where it would play, and no warning to tell someone if that if they were in the US not to order one as it won't play. Would we be able to return it? Can we switch it for a dvd that WILL play for us?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Fun Capra Movie About Family Who Lives for Breaking the Rules!
Added 1/10/2010
A lovely movie about a family for which almost any innocent fun goes. They try to make themselves a bit more conventional to satisfy a daughter who would like to marry into a renown and wealthy family, but don't quite make it. A crazy fun comedy about people for whom fun and laughs, art. music and dance are far more important than making money.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Pure Capra
Added 3/16/2010
Please note I saw this movie on TV so I can't speak to the quality of the video transfer or its features.
This movie is pure Capra from beginning to end. Lionel Barrymore is superb as the nominal patriarch of a bunch of eccentric free souls, who, long before the 60s and its "tune in, turn on, drop out," message, basically had the same idea back in 40s era Manhattan in this very funny movie. It's interesting that Barrymore plays the anti-capitalist here when he played the wealthy and greedy Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life, again with Jimmy Stewart. The residents of this looney bin pursue various hobbies including dancing, playing the xylophone, writing plays, making scary rubber masks, and producing spectacular fireworks in the basement--which are always going off--lending various pops, bangs, and whooshes to the already pretty zany ambience of the place.
When the son of a stuffy but very wealthy Wall St. financier (played by Edward Arnold who is perfect in this role) falls for Barrymore's granddaughter, the stage is set for a confrontation between the two families and their contrasting lifestyles--money and status vs. being true to yourself and doing your own thing. But despite the father and mother's disapproval, love wins out in the end. I note some of the reviewers here didn't like the movie and preferred the stage play. Well, I didn't see the play and can only say this is just another fun, warming, positive, and enjoyable Capra movie. The world could use another Capra and his uplifting message the way the world is going these days.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
A weaker Capra classic...
Added 3/1/2010
I like Capra a lot. This, for me, was one of his weakest efforts. While it has its moments, and a few nicely played performances, the overall feel of the film is underwhelming (and a tad forced) and comes off sloppy as apposed to Capra's more polished and effective works. In fact, if you took some of his best moments (`Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', `It Happened One Night' and `It's a Wonderful Life') and threw them together into one film you'd have `You Can't Take it With You', a film that should (but rarely does) work.
The overall plot of the film is rather predictable and familiar. Alice comes from a poorer family than her boyfriend Tony, who happens to be very, very wealthy. Tony's family is very apposed to his relationship with Alice, but he doesn't care and wants his family to accept Alice and her family for who they are, which just so happens to be a group of eccentric people who put pleasure before responsibility.
Yes, I know that this is a `big business is evil' type film (which is not an uncommon idea for Capra), but it comes off foolish.
The whole idea of Grandpa Martin Vanderfof and his `life philosophies' are really hit or miss. The idea that one should enjoy his life as apposed to ruining it for wealth is a positive and poignant one, especially when you contrast his character with that of Anthony P. Kirby, his nemesis and polar-opposite. But, realistically, the Vanderfof clan live a really absurd and pointless existence. He is painted as a wise and sympathetic man, but he is rather foolish and irresponsible. That, and it's hard to believe that anything that happens in that house would actually take place. It's far too, silly.
The film is really a hodgepodge of clichés, both society-wise as well as purely Hollywood-wise (every romantic-comedy cliché is thrown at the audience).
But, there are some highlights here.
For me, this film is about a few central performances that elevate the material. I love Jean Arthur (I would have given her the Oscar, which she wasn't even nominated for, in 1939 for her brilliant work in `Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' over Vivian Leigh) and think she is splendid here, even it she isn't given much to really work with. Lionel Barrymore, despite having a ridiculous character, makes every scene shine brightly. The best in show award goes to Edward Arnold though, who manages to give us a believable transformation thanks to his ability to add layers of character development in every scene. I mean, just the small smile he gives when Penny insults his wife's `hobby' is a beautiful way to give a crack at this man's harsh exterior.
But with the good comes the bad, and performances like that from that horribly stereotyped Russian guy just serve to knock this film down a peg or two (that performance was just gross).
Anyways, like I said, this one is hit or miss. I liked it in parts, but as a complete package it is not one that I would recommend or care to really watch again. Loved Arnold though, so see it for that (if you love film and love evaluating performances, I'd recommend you see it just to get a glimpse at a stunning supporting performance). I give it a C, nothing more, nothing less.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
cant play dvd
Added 2/11/2010
I am unable to play this dvd because I am in the wrong region. I need to know how to return it and replace it with a dvd that will play in my region.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
