MovieChat Forums > The V.I.P.s (1963) Discussion > Better than I was expecting

Better than I was expecting

posted 8 years ago by JPLogan54
3 replies | jump to latest

I guess I am a sucker for this era.

The picture looks absolutely amazing. It's beautifully framed and shot. The direction is more than competent. The color is extraordinary. For whatever reason the sound is slightly off on the print as shown on TCM. It's just short of old Kung Fu movie dub distracting as long as I don't stare at lips the whole film, and how could I with such a lush film. For a dumpy airport setting this is about as good a looking film as I can imagine.

The story is obviously melodramatic to the maximum but there are some pretty clever lines of dialogue such as when Frances assures Marc he's certainly been that insulted before or when Les "discovers" that writing a check you know you can't cash happens to be a felony in America as well. "Our countries have a lot in common".
And of course "With the truth we don't have much hope. With lies we have none."

The story is pretty much the Olivier/Leigh/Finch idea with some filler thrown in but at least some of the filler (the Rod Taylor story) is intriguing.
The Orson Welles and the Duchess sub plots, not so much except some cheap comedy relief, but the extra stories are there to support the flimsy main plot of Marc stealing Frances anyway.

Burton does pretty well with what he has which is basically the schmuck role. Too bad but I could definitely see him cast as Marc with another lesser actor playing his wet blanket millionaire part. Of course then you wouldn't get Jourdan who is awesome as Marc, and Burton does get his moment in the end. Even if the note does go too far.

And then *spoiler* Miss Mead, out of nowhere, and spectacularly, becomes the heart of soul of the whole film.

It's really quite moving. This film is much more than "check book generosity".
This is kind of a hidden gem of a film that reminds me just a little bit of later efforts by Altman or PT Anderson.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

The argument can be made that this relatively little known film today was in fact quite influential. I find it a sort of guilty pleasure if there in fact should be any guilt about it. The cast is simply incredible, and the film looks good. Much of the plot such as it were hinges on a series of delaying circumstances and details pushing the plausible to a sort of limit. But imo it does remain in the realm of the plausible, and so should not be overly criticized in such regard.

While Burton is great here in a difficult to like role, and everyone is at least very good, perhaps the best performance is by Maggie Smith in what would be a revelation to those only familiar with her more recent performances. Her chemistry with Rod Taylor is unbelievable.

Please see this if you have not before.

[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

i like the maggie smith/Rod taylor storyline the best, and Margaret rutherford is always fun.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 7 years ago

I passed over watching it for years, finally watched it today. I enjoyed it, great cast and portrayal of another era.

I'm trying to picture Vivian Leigh and Peter Finch as lovers, since the film is supposedly based on them actually preparing to run off and getting delayed by fog at the airport.

Loved seeing a younger Maggie Smith, Orson Welles, the Taylor-Burtons and the great Margaret Rutherford.