King Me!

All The King's Men was on the classical Hollywood menu last night. In light of recent political events here in our fair city, it was fascinating to watch a character devolve from being good and upright to greedy and crooked as a dog's leg. The torchlight rally scenes were vaguely reminiscent of scenes from Riefenstahl's Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will so that was an interesting connection.

I'm thinking more and more about David Bordwell's assertion that classical Hollywood cinema is the "cinema of the doorway." American films from this period (1930 - 1960) are all about problem solving and the forward movement of a narrative. This may seem like "Duh, what else would a movie be about?" but there are film movements and whole national cinemas that have little to do with the resolution of a narrow, focused narrative. Just because our way is what we're used to doesn't mean it's the only way it's done. Anyway, in American cinema, it's all about people coming in the door, doing or saying something meaningful or dramatic that pushes the story along, and then exiting through the door. A scene can be peaceful and idyllic, but as soon as the door opens, the drama begins and the narrative moves forward. It's interesting to watch movies in that light, I think.