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Tag Archives: Jean Simmons

How to Make an American Quilt

15 Monday May 2017

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

1990's, Alfre Woodard, Anne Bancroft, Dermot Mulroney, Drama, Ellen Burstyn, How to Make an American Quilt, Jean Simmons, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Johnathon Schaech, Kate Capshaw, Kate Nelligan, Lois Smith, Maya Angelou, Winona Ryder

Film Title

How to Make an American Quilt

Director

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Starring

  • Winona Ryder as Finn Dodd
  • Anne Bancroft as Glady Joe
  • Ellen Burstyn as Hy
  • Alfre Woodard as Marianna
  • Maya Angelou as Anna
  • Kate Nelligan as Constance
  • Jean Simmons as Em
  • Lois Smith as Sophia
  • Kate Capshaw as Sally Dodd
  • Dermot Mulroney as Sam
  • Jonathon Schaech as Leon

A heartwarming tribute to female friendship and the shaping of life’s experiences, How to Make an American Quilt is a very sweet and enjoyable movie. It’s nothing revolutionary or startlingly original, but it’s story of looking to the past in order to unlock the future is beautifully directed and acted.

Finn Dodd is a 26-year-old graduate student, who is working on a thesis over the summer. She can’t quite settle on a topic and always changes her mind when she thinks she’s got the right parts. This confusion and inability to come to a decision extends to her boyfriend Sam, who has just proposed. Finn obviously cares about him, but is deeply unsure of whether marriage is a good idea for her. While mulling things over, she goes to visit her Great Aunt Glady Joe and Grandmother Hy, who themselves are sisters usually at each other’s throats. They are both part of a quilting group that includes wise leader Anna; her free-spirited daughter Marianna; stern Sophia; grieving Constance and quiet Em. They are currently in the process of making a wedding quilt for Finn and in their own ways, they each inspire her and give her support in her time of indecision. Over the summer, conflicted Finn is regaled with stories of love from their pasts; some tragic and some inspiring. We glimpse the lessons these older women have learned; from how Glady Joe and Hy became more than a little strained, why Sophia turned into such a battle-axe and in general how love is what you make of it. Also present is a hunky guy named Leon, who takes a shine to Finn and potentially throws a spanner in the works. It all comes down to whether she is ready to make a commitment or live her life in freedom.

Jocelyn Moorhouse beautifully conjures up the loving and touching lessons of life in a straightforward but effective way. We become like Finn, learning about the women who came before her and their experiences with love. Moorhouse aims for the emotions and heart with How to Make an American Quilt, and succeeds in getting you invested in the brief flashes of events that these women now speak of. As sentimental as some of it is, the gentleness and often low-key approach keeps the film on a pleasing level without slipping into overly histrionic content. the pleasures in are listening to the various experiences of these women and how young Finn reacts to them. From heartbreak and upheavals to the starts of companionship, all the stories have some weight on her and impact. Like with any film that weaves together an ensemble story line however, some of the arcs come off better than others that are patchy. This is only to be expected really as it would be impossible to craft something that gave every strand, without it turning into a marathon of a movie. The stories that make the most emotive impression are the ones of Hy and Glady Joe and the flashbacks to Sophia’s early life; where she had some promise but never got the chance to enjoy it due to the inevitability of timing. They are played out in organic and poignant fashion that knows how to get your care. The other stories all have currency, though more than a couple may have been better if expanded upon. If I was to compare this movie to something, the equivalent would be a quilt itself. It’s got some rough edges and is well-worn, but has that cosy and snug feeling that lifts your spirits. The luscious cinematography renders everything with a distinct glow. Thomas Newman’s stirring score is a big plus in this feel good movie.

If there is anyone who can play indecision and curiosity convincingly, it’s Winona Ryder. With her naturally inquisitive and youthful face, she’s excellent casting for Finn. All the confusion and searching questions are there, as she listens to the stories of the past in hopes of unlocking her future.  Anne Bancroft and Ellen Burstyn provide gentle humour, classy depth and consummate professionalism as the feuding sisters, whose grievances are plain to see but whose love for the other more than combats anything completely severing them. Alfre Woodard has the right bohemian air and fun for her role of effervescent Marianna. The wisdom and dignified grace of Maya Angelou stunningly embodies the passionate leader of the quilting group Anna. Angelou possesses a nuanced voice of experience and clarity that is impossible to ignore. I could listen to her voice all day it is that soothing and imbued with sage. Kate Nelligan and Jean Simmons are both moving as two of the women, realising they are linked through one of their husbands philandering. Lois Smith captures the well of sadness arising from someone whose ambitions were cut short, resulting in a hostility and bitterness of character. Kate Capshaw is a breath of fresh air in her small but important appearance as Finn’s flighty mother. She seems very irresponsible but what she ends up saying is quite beneficial and unexpected. Whether big or small in size of parts, all of the ladies here do good work. Dermot Mulroney does well with his limited part of Finn’s boyfriend, letting the female cast members take the lion’s share. Johnathon Schaech is largely there to provide the temptation for Finn, complete with the fact that he never seems to be wearing a shirt.

it isn’t going to win prizes for innovation, but the beating heart and gentleness of How to Make an American Quilt is effervescent that you won’t be able to resist its charms. Just cuddle up and enjoy this nice fable on life and sisterhood.

Black Narcissus

25 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

1940's, Black Narcissus, David Farrar, Deborah Kerr, Emeric Pressburger, Flora Robson, Jean Simmons, Kathleen Byron, Michael Powell, Powell and Pressburger, Sabu

Film Title

Black Narcissus

Directors

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

Cast

  • Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh
  • David Farrar as Mr.Dean
  • Kathleen Byron as Sister Ruth
  • Flora Robson as Sister Phillipa
  • Sabu as the Young General
  • Jean Simmons as Kanchi
  • Jenny Laird as Sister Honey
  • Judith Furse as Sister Briony
  • May Hallatt as Angu Ayah

A psychological study of an order of nuns set in the Himalayas, Black Narcissus is a bold, daring and at times deeply unsettling look at religious turmoil and the effects a place can have on the mind and senses. If you are looking for a film that is a feast for the eyes but also for the brain, Black Narcissus is the film that I would advise you to watch.

Sister Clodagh struggles to cope with her newly appointed duty

The story centres on five nuns who are invited to a palace high up in the Himalayas. Their duty is to open a convent, which will also double as a hospital and school. Heading this mission is young Sister Clodagh who has recently been promoted to Sister Superior, although she is unsure of whether she is the one to fulfil and uphold this difficult job. The palace  was once a harem and the debauched shadows of this time linger on as the Sisters attempt to convert it into a place of purity and worship. Although the Sisters try to remain true to the vows they have taken, temptation takes many forms causing doubt amongst the quintet. Another story is that of the Young General who comes to the convent to learn and falls for the beautiful dancing girl Kanchi, despite the differences in class and morals. It is from the General that the film takes its title, as he wears a perfume scented with it. The strange atmosphere and remote surroundings causes a crisis of faith to sweep the place like a fever, as each of the nuns begins to experience feelings of deep uncertainty. The most frightening example of this is the pathological jealousy of the unstable Sister Ruth as she falls for the handsome Mr.Dean but becomes convinced that Sister Clodagh also has a soft spot for him. This leads to a terrifying and utterly intense final act.

Jealous Sister Ruth begins to crumble because of her desire.

From the opening scenes of the Himalayas to the hysteria caused by the exotic former harem, the film is an enchanting viewing, mainly because of its rich cinematography. A prime example of this is the scenes in which Sister Clodagh has flashbacks to her time before she became a servant of God. The use of colour accentuates the freedom she had before this and lets us into the mindset of this inexperienced young woman trying to keep things in order. As well as this, the set design is outstanding, making the palace an unnerving place with drafty corridors and murals that reveal the debauchery that occurred years before. The presence of an elderly ayah who is prone to shrieks of manic laughter and remarks about how the nuns will succumb to the atmosphere, also adds to the creepiness that is felt throughout the picture. Powell once said that this was one of the most erotic films he ever made, and after viewing it I would agree with his statement. But when I say erotic I don’t mean it in the sense of what we see in the cinema today. It is all done with subtle instances and non explicit references. Sister Ruth unveiled without her habit, clad in a crimson dress applying lipstick, Mr.Dean’s many advances and remarks towards Sister Clodagh, the first sight of Kanchi slowly but seductively eating a papaya and many other instances.

The ringing of the morning bell.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, the cinematography and set design should be praised, but the performances of the cast should also be justly given notice. Deborah Kerr exudes emotional turmoil and regret as Sister Clodagh, all of this is done by her expressive eyes that tell the whole story of this woman out of her depth in the exotica of the former harem. Kathleen Byron as the unstable Sister Ruth is splendidly sinister and cunning, her snake-like smile sending shivers down the spine and her eyes being used to scary effect in the climatic scenes. The supporting players, no matter how big or small the role, each add something to this strange and utterly bewitching tale of faith, repressed emotions and the frailties of the psyche when confronted with a challenge.

This is a drama film that asks deep questions yet never gives the easy answer. Powell and Pressburger have created a film of heightened emotions in the most unlikely of places and circumstances. Prepare to be left chewing the cud after the movie has finished. If you haven’t seen it, please give it a watch as I’m sure you will find something to engage your interest.  Black Narcissus is a must see, both for its visual flourishes and its intensely dramatic story of conflict and faith.

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