010 of 100: screwball romcom done right.
In this latest installment of Angie B's 100 Things, POP CULTURE YOU SHOULD KNOW:
I can't possibly neglect the oldies-but-goodies when it comes to this list; it's all well and good to shine the light of recommendation on the lesser known and cult, but I'm also a firm believer in pointing people to the classics. You've got to have a solid understanding of what came before in order to properly appreciate what's come since.
Unfortunately -- at least in my eyes -- rom coms have only declined in quality over the years. To have a really fun time in the screwball romance category, you absolutely have to go back to the 30s, 40s, and 50s. There are exceptions that prove this rule, of course, but for my dollar you can't get much better than Billy Wilder, Frank Capra, or the fellow who directed this outing, George Cukor.
The Philadelphia Story is an utterly charming, zany, hilarious, and entertaining outing featuring three of my absolutely favourite actors ever. It's witty and snarky, full of clever dialogue and sparkling chemistry. The supporting cast of oddballs are fun, and it has the traditional happy ending. What more can you want?
So if you're looking for a solid movie for a girls' night in, or for a classic retrospective, or if you just want to see how a rom com should really be done, please do yourself a favourite and check out The Philadelphia Story. It was up on Youtube in its entirety last year, so if all else fails check there. It's just a romp of a time. :D
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OVER @ film_flammers.