You know what they say about wishes?

[selenak]

The one advantage if you don't feel passionately about something is that it makes following controversies voyeuristic fun, as opposed to hurtful "but why don't they see....!?!" battle for oneself. My current example is the ongoing reaction to The Iron Lady. (Which I still haven't watched), i.e. the one beyond the "Meryl great, film mediocre"

Comments

[likeadeuce]

Good points all, and also . . .I had never heard of Summertime! Now it seems I need to see it. . .

[selenak]

I heard of Summertime when reading Katherine Hepburn's memoirs, and there's actually a lot about David Lean, and I thought, huh, never knew they were friends, when did THEY meet?, and then came the explanation. Also there's a hilarious entry in Noel Coward's published diaries about how when he was in Venice during the time they shot the film (as he'd been friend with David L. since they worked together in the 40s and with Kate without working with her since forever, he wanted to see them both) he fell sick and they, despite being busy, had to play doctor for him.

Anyway, then German tv obliged me by showing the film. It's not one of Lean's epic ones, but just, as I said, every charming. And of course his camera adores Venice.

[likeadeuce]

Excellent, looks like the DVD is readily available here. Will look into it. I really thought I knew all of Lean!

[selenak]

Including his black and white Noel Coward films from the 40s?

[airie_fairy]

See, the way you put David Lean's version of the film makes me actually care about watching it were it to exist. As is, I am so very uninterested, Meryl's charm or no.

[selenak]

Well, Meryl is in so many other films that one does not have to catch this one to admire her. :)

[airie_fairy]

Is she in any David Lean films?

[selenak]

Alas no. Though I would argue one of hers (The French Lieutenant's Woman) is inspired by one of his (Ryan's Daughter).