1972 battle of wits
Rating: 18/20
Plot: A rich guy and a poor guy engage in an elaborate pissing contest.
I haven't seen the remake of this from 2007 with Jude Law and, well, Michael Caine, but I can't imagine it's nearly as good as the original. This movie is just so well written, biting dark comedy at the fringes and some great irony, and the two leads--the only two performers in the movie, are stellar. It's a slowly-unfolding cat and mouse game that has you on the edge of your seat even if you already know how it's all going to wind up. I never made the connection, but this was written by Anthony Shaffer, the same guy who wrote the screenplay for The Wicker Man.
The remake is ok. Caine switches roles and plays the older character, and I think he could play a bag of hair and I'd be interested in it. The remake takes some turns with its look and story. The story changes slightly based on the setting, a technologically advanced mansion.
ReplyDeleteBut it all does make for great drama and performances.
I'll have to give it a look sometime. Love the original.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'll long for a movie where Caine plays a bag of hair. That sounds incredible!