3370 COM HISTORY OF CINEMA

Kim Vera

TITLE: Persona

RELEASING COMPANY & DATE: AB Svenska October 18, 1966

PRODUCER: Ingmar Bergman          DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman

WRITER: Ingmar Bergman

CAST: Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann

PRINCIPAL ARTISTS/CRAFTSMEN: Sven Nykvist

THEME OF FILM: Doubling, self loathing and uncertainty

PLOT:

A nurse is hired to help an actress who loses her power of speech. They check into a private cottage, and they become entirely dependent on each other. “It’s the case of the cure being worse than the affliction…”

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS: After watching this film, I still wasn’t quite sure as to what the doubling meant. Alma is the only who talks throughout the film, and Elisabet merely listens — not having anyone to interact would drive a person mad. And even though Elisabet and Alma have formed a sort of bond, there is some tension and jealousy between the two characters. There is also a scene where Alma says, how she would like to become Elisabet on the inside, and how easy it would for Elisabet to become her. My initial thought was that both Alma and Elisabet were the same person. In the scene where Mr. Volger appears, Alma acts as if she had forgotten who she was. Later in the famous scene where both Alma’s and Elisabet’s face morph into one, she argues with her demanding she is Alma and not Elisabet. After the film is over, I am still unsure who is who and whether or not they are two individuals or one.

PLACE IN HISTORY:
A Bergman masterpiece, and considered one of the significant works of the 20th Century.

3370 COM HISTORY OF CINEMA

Kim Vera

TITLE: American Graffiti

RELEASING COMPANY & DATE: Universal Pictures August 11, 1973

PRODUCER: Francis Coppola, Gary Kurtz DIRECTOR: George Lucas

WRITER: George Lucas, Gloria Katz, Willard Huyck

CAST: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Let Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Harrison Ford, Suzanne Somers

PRINCIPAL ARTISTS/CRAFTSMEN: Jan D’Alquen, Ron Eveslage, Haskell Wexler, Verna Fields, Marcia Lucas

THEME OF FILM: Coming of age

PLOT: This film is about high school graduates who are unsure of their future. On the night before leaving for college, they experience one last night of before they go off and start their lives as adults. A series of ups and down cause them to question their lives.

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS:
The typical life of a high school graduate, this movie is relatable for anyone. Throughout the movie, the factor that stuck out the most was that it was heavily driven by music. The dialogue was rather enjoyable and humorous. This movie further proves that teens have barely changed. Their lives are still focused on hooking up, and driving around looking for something to entertain them. This film also dives into the fear most feel when they are about to enter the “real World.”

PLACE IN HISTORY:
One of the first quintessential teen flicks and gained worldwide success financially and critically, even winning an Academy Award.

3370 COM HISTORY OF CINEMA

Kim Vera

TITLE: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

RELEASING COMPANY & DATE: Famous Players-Lasky, Paramount Pictures

PRODUCER: Adolph Zukor        DIRECTOR: John S. Roberson

WRITER: Thomas Russell, Sullivan, Clara Beranger, Robert Louis Stevenson

CAST: John Barrymore, Martha Mansfield, Charles Lane, Nita Naldi

PRINCIPAL ARTISTS/CRAFTSMEN: Roy F. Overbaugh,

THEME OF FILM: Good vs Evil

PLOT:
Dr. Jekyll is determined to isolate the evil from good in the human psyche. He creates a potion and morphs into Hyde, who does everything he cannot. It is almost as if he uses this as a chance to be free and not worry about the repercussions.

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS:
It was interesting to see how they showed the difference between night and day. When it was the night the tint of the film changed to blue and day/lighted room was a sepia tint. John Barrymore did an excellent job in portraying the roles of both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In the end scene, Jekyll fights with his alternate persona. It’s as if it is symbolizing the inner struggles we sometimes have with ourselves. After watching this film, I’ve realized how helpful facial expressions are. Words are not always needed to understand someone.

PLACE IN HISTORY: N/A