Marcus Christensen

works as a kind of anthropological film; like a better version of American Graffiti or like La Dolce Vita for 17 year olds in Texas. "Every moment feels like the cusp of the next big thing, but of what exactly? Or is it anything at all?"

one of the most bizarre films which is also considered iconic--there is a genuinely touching and thrilling film in here, between Hepburn and Peppard, they work so well together. Her as this zany avoidant socialite, him as an earnest gigolo. There are moments which are worthy of the film's reputation---the breakup of the party (shot of stairs with party in view), the final 20 minutes, and the day spent around New York.... But then of course there are all the strange elements---her overwrought family situation, the drug side plot, and obviously Mickey Rooney. Ultimately, I think the good outweighs the weird—and Audrey Hepburn's performance brings to screen a certain type of person which I've never seen portrayed so accurately. I wish we could take the wheat without the chaff.

very Cape Fear and Night of the Hunter--- the scenes with the kids together on adventures with the music also very Spielberg--- Gregory Peck is great here--seems like there are two movies however, one with the kids which is a sortof coming of age narration mood piece, and the civil rights Gregory Peck courtroom message film. Sometimes they come together; for me the ending saw them both come unjointed---if the point is to teach the kids to never judge a book by its cover or something than connecting Boo Radley and Tom Robinson is not entirely cogent. Obviously this is one of those adapted from a novel situations where they include lots of things that a screenwriter would never do--sometimes that works---for me it was just a little awkward here. Of course, the courtroom scene is affecting, and the moments with the kids are compelling. Glad Peck won an Oscar for this.

Reminding me of Good Time, I imagine Safdie brothers were at least a little inspired by this energy here... So brilliant where this goes; Cassavettes is a force of nature. I honestly thought it was going to be a buddy comedy at first--, turned into something much more interesting.