Sweethearts Cinema Countdown #3

Good morning everyone.  It's finally Friday!  I'm on the last day of a long nine day stretch.  So needless to say, I am seriously looking forward to getting some much needed rest this weekend.  I'm thinking maybe go check out a movie this weekend.  I did rent 50/50 yesterday.  And I'll have the review for that Monday.  So stay tuned for that.  Speaking of movies, though, I have pick number three on the Sweethearts Cinema Countdown this morning.  Before I get into today's pick, I just wanted to say to each of you that read my reviews, thank you.  Thank you to each of you who understand and appreciate that all I'm trying to do is offer a temporary break from the constant barrage of bad news out there.  There's so much negativity.  And I've seen on our Facebook page that you all want something to feel good about.  That's why I do this.  So to those who read my reviews, and respond, again, thank you.  It means the world to me.  You all are the reason I do what I do.  And you all make it so fun.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You all are the ones who understand and appreciate that I'm just trying to do my part for you.  Now, how about we get back into the countdown.  Today on the list we head back from the 1930's to the 1950's.  1951 to be exact.  The stars:  Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.  The movie:  The African Queen.  That's number three on the Sweethearts Cinema.

Simplicity is the key to sucess.  Everyone knows the old adage about simplicity.  And director John Huston obviously knew it too, when he helmed this classic gem.  The statement is made in the bonus "making of" featurette of the dvd that few people would want to see a movie about a boat that travels along an African river.  But the surprise is that as simple as the plot is, it works.  What's more, the nearly hour-long "making of" featurette is one of thoses rare gems that makes the overall experience that much better.

So many modern romance movies tend to copy one another today.  The stories' writers use the same plot, and alter it like a piece of clothing that has shown the wear and tear of the constant changes.  'The African Queen', however, is a prime example of a movie that gets it right.  Despite the romance, even male audiences can watch the movie without fear of what others may think.  The chemistry between stars Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn shines through from open to end.  Those who have the dvd can appreciate that chemistry even more thanks to the added "making of" featurette.  It discusses, among other things, the off screen chemistry between the duo.

Along with the chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn, the use of technicolor adds another level of enjoyment.  If not for the use of technicolor, audiences at the time, perhaps couldn't see the full impact of the on-site filming, and the expressions of Charlie and Rose.  Yet again, this is discussed in the "making of" featurette.  And yet again, that discussion adds a whole exra dimension to the story, and the overall viewing experience.

'The African Queen' is a movie that stands out among even the best of classic movies.  So much went into crafting this big screen adaptation, yet the end product came across as being simply done.  In comparison modern movies do so little, and end up with a story that is anything but enjoyable.  Perhaps studios should take it as an example of everything done right.  Until or unless that time comes, 'The African Queen' will continue to stand unopposed by few, if any other films in its genre.

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Philip Sayblack can be contacted at psayblack@wnct.com