Even if you aren't a fan of Ms. Ball and Desi, the mid-century fashions, architecture, and the now priceless automobiles featured make this a wonderful piece of history.
That the couple is real, married in life and not just for show, adds to the ripping good chemistry that makes farces as this work.
The only other period film that I enjoy as much is the somewhat later "It's A Mad, Mad... World"; best ensemble cast ever, Spencer Tracy's final film.
The "Trailer" turns out to be a curse, the helpful folks aren't, everything that was supposed to be easy and wonderful turns out to be a series of exercises in endurance... but even during the most tense and adversarial scenes, the lifetime love shared by Desi and Lucy comes to the fore; throughout, it's very apparent that they love each other, very much. There's a scene, where they're stuck in the rain overnight, and during the dinner conversation the camera captures the facial and body language between them; if you can't see how much in love these two are, you might test as a sociopath. Later, she wants to get him a television set. And Desi's practicality, continuously worn away by Lucy's optimism, makes the movie- his accent just adds to the charm.
This is absolutely one to cherish- no guns, no bad words (tho' Desi is given many occasions for such), no car chases, neck tattoos, nor Billy Badasses being Billy. Just a sweet, somewhat silly diary of a husband giving up common sense to please the lady he loves. They sing a duet, as well, and these two can sing. What?! Singing in a movie? Jeez-us wept, I must be old.
And, as a car guy, I'd give body parts for that yellow/black/white Mercury Monterey drop top. Really- I'd give a kidney at least; you just don't see these anymore, possibly 'cuz other cars make "better" hotrods or investments. Perry Mason had one, but as it was done in B&W, you can't call the colours.
It is a must see.
That the couple is real, married in life and not just for show, adds to the ripping good chemistry that makes farces as this work.
The only other period film that I enjoy as much is the somewhat later "It's A Mad, Mad... World"; best ensemble cast ever, Spencer Tracy's final film.
The "Trailer" turns out to be a curse, the helpful folks aren't, everything that was supposed to be easy and wonderful turns out to be a series of exercises in endurance... but even during the most tense and adversarial scenes, the lifetime love shared by Desi and Lucy comes to the fore; throughout, it's very apparent that they love each other, very much. There's a scene, where they're stuck in the rain overnight, and during the dinner conversation the camera captures the facial and body language between them; if you can't see how much in love these two are, you might test as a sociopath. Later, she wants to get him a television set. And Desi's practicality, continuously worn away by Lucy's optimism, makes the movie- his accent just adds to the charm.
This is absolutely one to cherish- no guns, no bad words (tho' Desi is given many occasions for such), no car chases, neck tattoos, nor Billy Badasses being Billy. Just a sweet, somewhat silly diary of a husband giving up common sense to please the lady he loves. They sing a duet, as well, and these two can sing. What?! Singing in a movie? Jeez-us wept, I must be old.
And, as a car guy, I'd give body parts for that yellow/black/white Mercury Monterey drop top. Really- I'd give a kidney at least; you just don't see these anymore, possibly 'cuz other cars make "better" hotrods or investments. Perry Mason had one, but as it was done in B&W, you can't call the colours.
It is a must see.