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ON THE SHELF: Otto Preminger, Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
02/09/2009 You might think a nearly 3-hour, black-and-white courtroom drama from the late 1950s would be a little dated by today’s standards. If not, consider Witness for the Prosecution, another courtroom drama released just two years prior to this one, filled to the brim with excessive overacting. Conversely, Anatomy of a Murder holds up quite well, thanks in large part to its all-star casts’ stellar performances. James Stewart, Arthur O’Connell and George C. Scott all earned Academy Award nominations for their performances, but really, everybody brings their A-game here. Ben Gazzara and Lee Remick, in particular, are engaging from the moment their characters are introduced on screen. It is, however, the heated and often humorous altercations between Stewart and Scott that really draw you into the narrative, and keep you there. Speaking of which, that’s something else the film offers you might not expect: a little comedy. Oscar nominee Wendell Mayes’ tightly written, witty screenplay manages to inject a little humor into an otherwise serious story, which helps in keeping a 160-minute film from seeming every bit as long as it is. The perfect pacing doesn’t hurt either. The only real problem with the film is the verdict. You spend all this time invested in these characters, wondering whether a jury will convict or sympathize with Gazzara’s character. And when it comes to their decision... it’s pretty anticlimactic. That’s not to say you feel your time has been wasted, but there’s little drama in the presentation. The verdict aside, if you find the time to indulge in a sharp courtroom drama that can be as funny as it is engrossing (and isn’t named Boston Legal), I highly recommend this classic. Just sit back and relax. The attorneys will provide the wisecracks. Comments [post a comment]Comments are closed |
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
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