Gone with the wind impressions

I heard about this movie  when I was still very little, but got to see it only last week. My interest for it became bigger as I started watching old movies. Then I choose Vivian Leigh as the reference face for a character I draw often, which made me want to see it even more.

In the end this only influenced my view of the movie a little bit. Overall, I was greatly impressed.

First, a bit about the story. As much as I had heard about this movie before, I never  new what it was able and I thought the two main characters, Scarlett and Rhett were eperdually in love with each other. Haard to be more wrong on that. The story is mainly about Scarlett in fact (played by Vivian Leigh), Very pretty, daugther of a rich plantation owner in the South of the United states around 1860 , she learn that the man she loves, Ashley (played by Leslie Howard) is going to marry her cousin Melanie (Olivia de Havilland). Very jealous, she try to makes him changes his mind, but fail blantlantly. She also meat Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), a newcomer in the region with a very bad reputation.  Rhett fall immediatly for Scarlett... energy to day that nicely, but she cannot forget Ashley. And the , the Civil War start.

One odf the first thing who suprised me is the length. Never did I knew, when I put that DVD in the PS3 that this movie was so lengthy, it make Titanic cry in a corner in shame for being way to short. Honestly, I had to cut my screening in two; I had to go to bed. Never did the "Entracte" in the middle of the movie seemed more fitting to me. But, in no moment did I found the movie too slow, or not interesting. Although there is some calmer moments, they are always welcome, after dramatic moments or intense war scenes.

 

She does seem really nice, no? But seriously, main characters with big problems? I love it!

I had often heard how Scarlett O'Hara was one crazy lady... well let's just say it was indeed true. Never did I saw a character so unconnected to her own feelings, trying too much to be strong but in fact so capricious and immature. And here is the only link I will make with the character who have Vivian Leigh's features.... god they are so much alike. Scarlett just seem way worse.... but as extreme as she can be, she remain a very realistic and interesting character. Even in today's movie, we don't often see main characters as extreme and who show as frankly the bad sides of a person who still fundamental remains a normal person who have the same kind of desires as everyone around her. She treats everyone around her terribly, especially Rhett, (probably because she see herself in him) but it still what make her so true.

Ok , he does force-kiss her a bit too much...

Rhett in contrast, was maybe a little to dashing for realistic measure, but that made him a more interesting character as well. I only wish it would not have been Clark Gable who played him. I sincerely don't really see any charm in him. Well, in Rhett Butler, there is some, but it is mostly because of the writing and a bit from the acting, but the actor himself , for me... naaaah.. Still, I never thought I would love the character so much , he ended up being my favorite. 

 

Happy Rhett? You're my favorite. Here is a cookie!

I think Melanie and Ashley are interesting characters as well. It was strange to see Olivia De Havilland playing such a pure character, as I usually saw her in more playful roles. I think she pulled it  very well and Melanie is the perfect personification of that "too nice" character. This is usually the kind of character I hate, but in a movie where the main character is Scarlett O'Hara, it was actually refreshing. I think that kind of character is in fact a problem when they are the main character. How could anyone relate to someone who is perfect. But as a supporting character/ rival, this become really interesting.

Ashley was not a very interesting character  for me although I appreciate him portraying the weak emotional side so much humans have. The way he cannot really resist Scarlett and how he chooses the more easy way of live and only wish for peace is interesting. How pathetic of him to really realise he loves Melanie when it's too late

  M. and Mrs. Perfect. Not exactly in fact, but oh well

Aside for the character, I must say the costumes were just breathtaking. I have a very soft spot for Victorian clothes, men and women alike. I thought interesting to see the movie was  shot at a time were snood were coming back in fashion... for the first time since the time were the story of Gone with the wind took place. Scarlett's dress made from the curtains was especially pretty. What's with movie characters making such beautiful dress with curtains.

Curtain dress! 

   Curtain dress!  (and she have two more)

 I also found out interesting that this story was tell from the point of you or people from the South of the United States. In my limited knowledge of the Civil War (since I live in Canada, it was not a huge part of our history classes), from what I grasped, they were always portrayed as "the bad guys" since they wanted to keep the slavery.

A bit like Grave of the fireflies (taking place in Japan in the second WW),'' Gone with the wind'' show this war from the point of view from a side I was used to see on the "enemy" side in movies and stories. Even if I already knew it, it it refreshing to see how war could have been for those people, remembering us that  on each side of a war, there is always normal humans beings who suffer from it.

James Bond observations

I spent last week-end at my boyfriend's parent’s home. His father being a big James Bond fan, he had several of those movies in DVD. In the week-end, we watched three of them

• Goldfinger
• Diamonds are forever
• The man with the golden gun

Now keep in mind that this was my first experience with James Bond (in fact ,I saw Quantum of Solace at the movie theater, but does it really count?).I always was a very girly little girl. Any action movie was out of my "to watch" list for a very long part of my life.

At first, it was exactly like I thought it would be. I didn't live in the jungle for 26 years so I actually know how a James Bond movie is supposed to be. I even saw many times the three Austin Powers, because this is the kind of movie my father like.

So James Bond is there, all mighty, witty, with his gadgets and nice suits, being all sexist (hey, it was the early sixties, don't ask too much, ahahaah). Then I saw Goldfinger. In a playsuit...

 Be happy you cannot see the whole outfit

Now now... man should never wear playsuit. This is a part of vintage fashion I'll never miss. On a woman, it can be a pretty cute outfit. On a man... it's just...errgh... Especially on M.Goldfinger....

I just then realised all the similarities there was between Austin Powers and James Bond. I knew that first was a parody of the second but.... never did I knew it was at that point. In fact , I always thought James Bond movies were a lot more serious that what they actually are.

First, the names... in those movies.... I thought those terrible, sexified names where an Austin Powers joke only... But... just in "Goldfinger"...... There was a woman named Pussy Galore and another Plenty O'Tool (the play of word is even more crude in French "Abondance de la Queue"). Seriously? They were actually named like that. I thought movies were a little more censored in the sixties. Still got a lot to learn it seem (and of course)

"The man in the golden gun " was probably the  one I preferred, only because the main villain was played by awesome Christopher Lee... The fact he have a third nipple and wear some kind of one-piece suit (a playsuit ?!?)  in the start of the movie....well ,I guess I will survive with it. It was pretty fun to see him in his pre-Saruman year. I should watch his Dracula movies, to watch him in all his glory.

I must say that the concept of Mr.Bond winning everything by going to bed with the right lady... and all ladies wanting to go to bed with him.... I was at the same time amused and outraged.  With his legendary charisma, all women fall for him. It's James Bond, it's a classic. It's a big part of the character and what make him more interesting that your average secret agent.  At the same times, I spent those three movies wanting 2 things: to slap some senses in all those girls (especially one of them, I will talk about that lather) and to jump in the James Bond universe and become a very pretty lady so James Bond would hit on me and I could say NO. Just... any girl who could totally, blatantly say "no, not interested” and would not change her mind would be good).

And Mary Goodnight (again? that name!):she KNOWS he go to bed with other women, it sadden her, make her angry... and then ten seconds afterward, she's in his arms. Seriously, at some point, he was about to sleep with her ,then ANOTHER women arrives, he HIDES her in the closet, sleep with the other woman... while she is there.... and in the end, she still forgives him... How can she?

However, "The Man with the Golden Gun" still surprised me by giving Mr. Bond a sidekick (Lieutenant Hip) which really surprised me... I thought he was always alone... except for one (or two, three, five... ) token woman to help.

As for the diverse plots, although they are not the same for each movie, I thought they were pretty similar in style (what a surprise...not), none really stood out for me.

Overall, my favourite in those three was probably "The Man with the Golden Gun". For me to like a movie , I need to like the characters . Since my favourites characters are: Scaramanga, Lieutenant Hip, the kitty and Pussy Galore(she still was cool), "The Man with the Golden Gun" wins with having two characters I really like. I also enjoyed watching the Asian setting, that kind of scenery so different to the ones I'm used to see is always very interesting to watch.

    The winner!.... and I'm not sure it's the epitome of coolness to pose

back to back in shirts like this. Oh well...

Goldfinger come second. Diamond are forever seemed a bit blank I think , compared to the two others... but maybe I should rewatch it with more attention

I think the James Bond series will stay for me fun movies to watch... and absolutely not to be taken seriously. I will surely enjoy watching the others movies.