The Fortune Cookie
Many films that Billy Wilder wrote and directed reflected the American society through sex and marriage, but in his 1966 comedy, The Fortune Cookie, he showed American greed and the flaws of the civil legal system. With the emergence of independent production companies in the 1960’s came the demise of the Hollywood studio system. This allowed for more creative work and for the director to have more control. Wilder had the power to cast well known actor, Jack Lemmon, and a newbie comedy star, Walter Matthau. The film had acclaim and did well at the box office, but was soon to be forgotten behind the many other classic Wilder made throughout his career. Though The Fortune Cookie is not Wilder’s most acclaimed film, it is a
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Hinkle’s brother-in-law lawyer “Whiplash” Willie, played by Walter Matthau, persuades Hinkle to fake a spinal injure so they can sue the insurance company and so Hinkle can win his ex-wife back. The American Dream in the film is distorted to love and money; as if money can buy love. The darker element of the American dream is reflected through the dark humor delivered by Matthau throughout the film. For instance, when the lawsuit is underway and no settlement has even been discussed, Willie had already gone out and bought a new car, a trip to Florida, and a fur coat. When his Brother-in-law, Harry Hinkle, tells him that he should have waited, Willies response was, “Who waits nowadays? Take the government. When they shoot a billion dollars’ worth of hardware into space, do you think they pay cash? It's all on the Diner's Club!” Not only were the male characters greedy, but the leading lady was materialistic and a cheater. The film at times has a negative representation of women. Hinkle’s ex-wife (Judi West) is conveyed as a money hungry gold digger, who’s love can be bought. Though The Fortune Cookie is not on of Billy Wilder’s most acclaimed films it is filled with witty dialogue and great casting. This would be the first of many successful collaborations between Lemmon and …show more content…
After the box office failure of Kiss Me, Stupid (1964), which critics had branded crude and tasteless, Wilder needed a project with more commercial appeal. Wilder described the film to Lemmon as "It's about greed, love, compassion, human understanding but not about sex"(Miller 2). Wilder got the idea for the film from watching a football game were a fullback ran into a spectator. Wilder wrote the role of Henry Hinkle for Jack Lemmon who he had worked with four times before and many times afterward. Wilder wrote “Whiplash” Willie, for Walter Matthau, even though he knew the studio executives would disagree. Matthau proved his versatility by winning the 1966 Oscar for best supporting
The two strike Huck as dishonest con-men skipping through the positions of life. Along with connecting this use of satirizing back to the 1800's, it is similar to the 1990 blockbuster film, Home Alone. Harry plans on robbing a rich family who is going away on vacation. As Harry enters the home, he is impersonating a police officer as the family is franticly rushing to pack and head out the door. Harry looks to fool the family as he scouts the home of their security systems and such.
“It was a strong female movie, which, you know, we don’t have now, and we didn’t have in 1991 either.” This is what Lori Petty said when describing her audition for the empowering role of Kit. Hollywood used every tool to make every scene of this movie to rarely take you out of the film. The leg wounds, the charm school, and the famous “Hear the call” are the real deal. John Odell, a curator at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, said that the movie helped make the museums “Diamond Dreams” exhibit, one of the most popular areas.
This movie was a break through itself as it ran as an independent movie basically as it was shown in more film festivals than anything. It was nominated for an award at the Sundance Film Festival and then the movie won the “best first feature” award in 1990 (Heathers (1988)). The director, Michael Lehmann, was very new to the movie scene as this was one of his first movies he really directed. I bet he never intended this movie to stick this long and have such a fan
According to the movie love is an expression that can be shown in many different ways. It can be hard to find and easy to destroy. Many individuals seek love and affection from people that are not ready to give it to someone. What is it about love that makes us crave for it? Is it the tender touch, sweet smelling perfume or even the big muscles.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a 2005 comedy film directed by Judd Apatow and stars Steve Carell as Andy Stitzer, the titular character who has retained his innocence throughout his entire life. When his co-workers learn about his lack of experience, they make it their personal goal to help Andy “do the deed.” This film was not only responsible for launching Steve Carell to star-status, but it was also the directorial debut of Judd Apatow who later went on to direct other successful comedy films. Andy Stitzer is a grown man who works in a stockroom at tech store SmartTech and spends his free time collecting action figures, and playing video games. His coworkers David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) don’t really know him,
Finally, in a decisive gesture, he gets up, and, in mingled joy and desperation, picks up the money...)” (107 Hansberry). Additionally the movie strays from the play in setting when Willy tells Walter the news that the money is gone. In the movie Willy tells Walter the heartbreaking news outside of the apartment rather than in the apartment like the play (124-128 Hansberry). These major scenes from the story that take place in different settings give the moments different meanings.
The film ‘Good Will Hunting’ directed by Gus Van Sant is a movie which follows the life of Will Hunting who is gifted with astonishing skills for maths but whom suffered with a fear of abandonment. He developed a defense mechanism which affected his ability to create long lasting relationships. An important extract from the movie is the scene ‘ It’s not your fault’. This scene conveyed the impact of childhood traumas, the effects of suppressed emotions and the idea of soulmates. These ideas were manifested through the use of various film techniques, such as camera shots and movements, music and dialogue.
The 1995 film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, directed by Ang Lee and originally written by Jane Austen, has timeless elements in its composition. Starring Emma Thompson, also the screenwriter, and Kate Winslet as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, the movie tells of two heroines and their struggle between balancing idealism and reality. As young, female adolescents of the 1800s, they are responsible for finding husbands that can support them financially; and following their father’s death and loss of money, this becomes even more emphasized. But, they come to struggle when having to choose between what their hearts crave, and what their minds know is best. Elinor’s ideal partner is the initially dull Edward Ferrars, who is discovered to be secretly engaged
His most notable work, however, was not on a live, professional stage. Instead, he was behind the camera, in 1972, as the director of the iconic work Cabaret; this film, to this day, holds the record for most number of Academy Award wins in a single year without the accolade of “Best Picture”. In the box office, the film collected approximately $42,765,000. Years later, he directed the musical film All That Jazz, a semi-autobiographical movie about Bob Fosse’s
In the Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Willy Loman and Walter Younger are very much alike. Some things that they have in common are that they both need money to take care of their families, they both treat their wives poorly, and they both fail to become rich and known. That is just a couple of things that Willy Loman an Walter Younger have in common. One thing that Willy and Walter have in common is that they both need to make money to take care of their families. In The Raisin in the Sun Walter wanted to start a business and make a lot of money.
Throughout the course of one’s life, there is a constant search for some form of happiness. We may not always realize we are on the quest for it, but it’s part of human nature. In “Silver Linings Playbook” we see this happen throughout with Pat and Tiffany, who are both searching for happiness. The film is relatable to us all in that many times we go looking for happiness only to come up empty-handed.
Limited for most of the time to two sets, the film 's great strength is the interplay between the two leads, who play former spouses having a tough time remaining apart. It also boasts one of the blackest comedy situations ever, as a small-time loser finds himself up against city corruption and imminent execution. Clever, witty and extremely satisfying, this marvelous film is still achingly funny
In the movie, The Breakfast Club, five high school students spend their Saturday detention together. The popular girl Claire Standish, the athlete Andrew Clark, the nerd Brian Johnson, the outcast Allison Reynolds, and the rebellious delinquent John Bender must put aside their differences to survive their detention with their assistant principal, Mr. Vernon. While in detention, they are told to write about “who they really are” in one thousand words. Throughout the day, they reveal their struggles involving their cliques and their home lives. As the movie progresses, the audience finds out the reason each teen is in detention which brings up a discussion about who they really are.
Hap, Loman is “gonna beat this racket” and come out “number one man” in order to prove that his father “did not vain” Willy excels in his command of tasteless cant popular in the 1930’s. “Well, bottoms up! And keep your pores open!” Willy says, saluting her girl-friend. His sorrowful laments are stock phrases “where are you guys, where are you?”
Tim Burton is a man praised for his cinematic style and contributions into the world of film. Tim Burton is influenced by his fascination with children’s stories and fairy tales. An article states, “Burton stories encourage escapism into worlds of fantasy and supernatural.” Some of his children’s movies are rather dark but delightful. Tim Burton was influenced by Roald Dahl along with other well-known authors such as Dr. Suess.