The Kid Brother

As a lover of silent comedies, I have decided that every once in a while I am going to review a classic film or short or two. As I am watching it now the first of these shall be The Kid Brother directed by Ted Wilde.

Released in 1927, The Kid Brother is possibly Harold Lloyd's finest feature film (though The Freshman and Safety Last! might have something to say about that). It stars Lloyd as Sheriff Hickory's youngest son, somewhat put upon by his father and two older brothers. Harold, without the muscles of his siblings, must use his brains to earn the respect of them and his father, and the love of his girl. Ah, the ever present silent comedy girl. On this occasion Jobyna Ralston plays Mary Powers a member of a medicine show. Unfortunately, Sheriff Hickory will not have any medicine shows in his town. However, while the Sheriff is at a town meeting, Harold plays as Sheriff and is mistaken as such by the leader of the medicine show. From here there follows a series of minor catastrophes involving Harold in some way. However, when the money for raised for a dam goes missing while in the Hickorys' possession, it is time for Harold to save the day!

While the film never quite scales the heights set by the likes of Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin (though to be honest I have never really 'got into' his films in the same way as with Keaton, Lloyd and Laurel & Hardy), it is absolutely always entertaining and often side-splittingly funny. One scene that stood out for me was one where Harold is being chased by his brothers as they wished to attempt to court Mary. Another scene earlier in the film has the brothers trying to get at Harold without being seen by Mary, while hiding behind curtains and such and Harold using Mary as a kind of protective aura. These are just two of the many stand-out scenes early in the film, with many more to look forward to right on through to the movie's conclusion.

I would recommend The Kid Brother and indeed much of Harold Lloyd's work to not only film enthusiasts but the anyone who enjoys simple, honest fun films.

★★★★★

Fargo

Well faithful readers (I hope that someone, somewhere has at some point stumbled across this site) as I am somewhat poor I have been unable to see anything at the cinema. So, instead I have decided to review an older film. For no particular reason, other than I watched it the other day, that film shall be Fargo.

Released in 1996, Fargo was directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (though due to DGA rules they were at this point credited as directed by Joel, and produced by Ethan) and starred Frances McDormand (Burn After Reading), William H. Macy (Jurassic Park III), Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs), Peter Stormare (Minority Report) and Harve Presnell.

The plot concerns Jerry Lundergaard (Macy) and his plan to have his wife kidnapped so his wealthy father-in-law (Presnell) will pay thousands of dollars for her release which he can use to repay debts. This is where Carl (Buscemi) and Gaear (Stormare) come in. They are to kidnap her and take her to a lodge without any excitement, with almost everyone emerging as a winner. However, things go badly from the off and when they are pulled over by a local police officer, he is shot by Gaear, who then goes on to murder the occupants of a passing car who witnessed the event. Chief of Police Marge Olmstead-Gunderson (McDormand) investigates the murders and is soon led back to Jerry's car dealership. Meanwhile, Carl demands higher payment from Jerry as a result of these unforeseen events, bringing Jerry even closer to a break down.

This being a Coen brothers film, there are plenty of laughs and bloodshed. Indeed, there is enough blood in the film to make a vampire giddy with excitement. In one particularly memorable scene, one character's corpse is stuffed into a wood chipper. Good stuff!

Fargo is, without any hint of hyperbole, one of the Coen bros. very finest films (which is no mean feat, believe me). With strong performances, from the cast and memorable shots with a beautiful backdrop of snow. While, for some the violence may be somewhat much, for me I feel that the humour and violence work perfectly with each enhancing the others effect. A must see!

★★★★★