Classic Wilderm 1950
Don't get me wrong, this is a great film; the plot is hillarious, wondefully self reflexive, sometimes astonishing (Buster Keaton!), and if there is a better written film, well, ever, I would like to see it.
Wilder develops more interest in depth here, with a few close to camera (perpendicular, too) framings of heads, deeper focus, long dark rooms paced up and down. Watching Gregg Toland, presumably. Is Wilder one of the greatest of directors? Writers yes, storytellers yes, but visual distinctiveness is rarely his strongpoint (compared to the greats; his easy elegance still eats most alive). We generally have estanblished space, shot-reverse. There are some scenes where inserts might have helped, for all the great things about reticence. The staircase shots here, it should be mentioned, are terrific.
It is a bit ridiculous to criticise, as this film attacks Hollywood, even the viewer, and a complicated and deeply intelligent way. There is the myth, not just attacked, but with its huge pull. A really fine story, a great novel (which it coul just as easily be), and a very, very good film.
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