The Most Over-rated British Film

[Joenoir]

Premiere magazine state the pros and cons for The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes (1948)
The first time Martin Scorsese saw Michael Powell's Shoes, he was blown away by its visual audacity—and I won't argue that point. But weighed down by heavy-handed direction and blatant melodrama—check out Anton Walbrook's portrayal of a devious ballet company director, and the interminable titular dance sequence—The Red Shoes feels more monotonous than magical. Although it helped pave the way for later greats such as The Band Wagon (which is far more successful in blending music, dance, and story), The Red Shoes doesn't belong in its class. —J.M.



REBUTTAL: Granted, a triangle involving a ballerina, her pissy composer husband, and her passion for the daaahnce isn't for everyone—and, Scorsese aside, probably not for anyone who can grow a beard. That said, Victoria Page's struggle to choose between love and a career is still touching and pertinent. And Moira Shearer's pas de deux with a newspaper kicks ass compared with Gene Kelly's showy hoofing with that mouse Jerry in Anchors Aweigh. —R.C.

I make no comment on this particular film, because I've yet to see it, but are there any other films that members feel are over-rated?

[stevie boy]

Originally Posted by Joenoir Premiere magazine state the pros and cons for The Red Shoes The Red Shoes (1948) The first time Martin Scorsese saw Michael Powell's Shoes, he was blown away by its visual audacity—and I won't argue that point. But weighed down by heavy-handed direction and blatant melodrama—check out Anton Walbrook's portrayal of a devious ballet company director, and the interminable titular dance sequence—The Red Shoes feels more monotonous than magical. Although it helped pave the way for later greats such as The Band Wagon (which is far more successful in blending music, dance, and story), The Red Shoes doesn't belong in its class. —J.M. REBUTTAL: Granted, a triangle involving a ballerina, her pissy composer husband, and her passion for the daaahnce isn't for everyone—and, Scorsese aside, probably not for anyone who can grow a beard. That said, Victoria Page's struggle to choose between love and a career is still touching and pertinent. And Moira Shearer's pas de deux with a newspaper kicks ass compared with Gene Kelly's showy hoofing with that mouse Jerry in Anchors Aweigh. —R.C. I make no comment on this particular film, because I've yet to see it, but are there any other films that members feel are over-rated?

do not agree about the Red Shoes, but I am sure Mr. Crook will be on soon. The one film that I do feel is terribly overrated is A Clockwork Orange.

[dogstar]

My vote would go to The Crying Game - not a popular choice perhaps - notwithsatanding that I am very far from a fan of either Stephen Rae or Miranda Richardson it has always struck me a s a very poor film.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Joenoir Premiere magazine state the pros and cons for The Red Shoes The Red Shoes (1948) The first time Martin Scorsese saw Michael Powell's Shoes, he was blown away by its visual audacity—and I won't argue that point. But weighed down by heavy-handed direction and blatant melodrama—check out Anton Walbrook's portrayal of a devious ballet company director, and the interminable titular dance sequence—The Red Shoes feels more monotonous than magical. Although it helped pave the way for later greats such as The Band Wagon (which is far more successful in blending music, dance, and story), The Red Shoes doesn't belong in its class. —J.M. REBUTTAL: Granted, a triangle involving a ballerina, her pissy composer husband, and her passion for the daaahnce isn't for everyone—and, Scorsese aside, probably not for anyone who can grow a beard. That said, Victoria Page's struggle to choose between love and a career is still touching and pertinent. And Moira Shearer's pas de deux with a newspaper kicks ass compared with Gene Kelly's showy hoofing with that mouse Jerry in Anchors Aweigh. —R.C. I make no comment on this particular film, because I've yet to see it, but are there any other films that members feel are over-rated?

Did the author of that first comment dare give their name, or are we only given their initials?

The Red Shoes probably isn't for everyone - but what is?
But for anyone with a hint of romance in their soul or any appreciation of drama, it is often considered to be a favourite film. You don't have to like ballet to appreciate the basic problem of the struggle between love and career.

As for over-rated, that depends on who rates or raves about it. The film-makers can hardly be held responsible for subsequent reviews, publicity or people raving about it.

But for a long time it was the highest earning British film in the world and it has been claimed as the reason why many people became interested in dance, not just pure ballet. So is it actually over rated? A lot of people give it a good rating but it seems to me that this "J.M." just doesn't like it. That's different from something being over rated where there are lots of reviews and comments saying that it's wonderful but the public stays away in droves

Steve

[blacknorth]

Originally Posted by dogstar My vote would go to The Crying Game - not a popular choice perhaps - notwithsatanding that I am very far from a fan of either Stephen Rae or Miranda Richardson it has always struck me a s a very poor film.

I'd go along with that, I find Neil Jordan generally to be very old hat - his casting of DeValera as the villain in Michael Collins might have met the dramatic requirements of art but history deserves better.

[Mr Cosmo]

At the risk of being shouted down - I often wonder why THE ITALIAN JOB is so popular. Apart from the car chase which was quite original, it's routine, poorly scripted and has some terrible acting (who told Simon Dee he could act?) and has some of the worst hairstyles ever.
I watched it again during this week to see why it has so many fans and I still don't get it.

[kezzy]

Shakespeare in Love (or has that particular Emperor's garment already been exposed?)
The English Patient (just loathsome)
and - I know this is going to be an unpopular choice - The Belles of St Trinians. I love Launder and Gilliat in general, but I've tried to watch their most popular work so many times, and it always sends me to sleep.

[Steve Crook]

Some interesting films being nominated here. But are any of them actually over-rated?

Surely to be over-rated a film would have to be highly praised by the film-makers and/or the initial reviewers but then disliked by the majority of the public.

The films listed so far might be disliked personally by some of you, but they were generally very popular so they aren't over-rated

I was hoping that this could be used for a real discussion about over-rated films and not just a (or another) list of "otherwise popular films that I don't happen to like"

Steve

[kezzy]

I'm not sure I agree with your definition of over-rated, Steve. It might equally mean "rated highly in general, but in the view of the individual mistakenly so".

If we are looking for films that were originally thought to be brilliant, but subsequently widely perceived as pretty rubbish, (eg "Dances with Wolves"), then maybe, out of the British contingent, we could pick "Oliver!"? The trouble is, most films will always have their supporters and detractors. At least in the case of "Oliver!", if we look at the other nominees for Best Film at the 1969 Oscars, we can see that "2001 A Space Odyssey" wasn't even nominated, while "Oliver!" walked off with the prize.

Another one that springs to mind is Rex Harrison's "Dr Dolitttle" (1967), winner of 2 Oscars, and nominated for 7 more including Best Picture! Surely most people would now recognise that as a classic bit of over-rating?

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by kezzy I'm not sure I agree with your definition of over-rated, Steve. It might equally mean "rated highly in general, but in the view of the individual mistakenly so". If we are looking for films that were originally thought to be brilliant, but subsequently widely perceived as pretty rubbish, (eg "Dances with Wolves"), then maybe, out of the British contingent, we could pick "Oliver!"? The trouble is, most films will always have their supporters and detractors. At least in the case of "Oliver!", if we look at the other nominees for Best Film at the 1969 Oscars, we can see that "2001 A Space Odyssey" wasn't even nominated, while "Oliver!" walked off with the prize. Another one that springs to mind is Rex Harrison's "Dr Dolitttle" (1967), winner of 2 Oscars, and nominated for 7 more including Best Picture! Surely most people would now recognise that as a classic bit of over-rating?

The trouble is that if we're just looking at the views of the individual then this just becomes another "films I don't like" threads. And we already have quite a few of those.

Oliver! was quite popular with a lot of people and does have some redeeming features like Oliver Reed's playing of Bill Sykes.

But I'll agree with you about Doctor Doolittle. Especially for people that liked the books. It was just one embarrassment after another. Poor "special effects" like the Pushme-pullyu and the Pink Sea Snail which looked like a cheap fairground ride. And then, worst of all, Dickie Attenborough singing (and dancing) "I've never seen anything like it"

Steve

[kezzy]

Please don't remind me.

[blacknorth]

Possibly my own definition of over-rated is a film which has developed a cultural and historical significance by means other than its intrinsic merits. Time generally separates the wheat from the chaff, but certain films appear to be immune to this process and perhaps those can be considered over-rated - one example for me is Brief Encounter, which I find to be an entirely unremarkable affair.

PS - I like The Red Shoes a lot, and the storyline is apt for the subject-matter.

[kezzy]

A friend of mine recently rented a cinema for his 50th birthday and showed his favourite film which was... Brief Encounter

[Miss Guided]

Sadly many.. and many made in the 80's and 90's in the new wave of gritty social drama. The Crying Game is pants - or shall I say big frilly panties – was a prime example of Brit gone Bad.

Where do I start? The most implausible cast, with only dear Forrest Whittaker managing to pull off any semblance of credibility – as long as he kept his mouth shut. Don’t we have any Black Brit actors or did he come with the distribution deal.
Miranda Richardson was ‘Miss Cast’ as the bewigged Mata Hari hit woman was a character out of a 50’s US pulp fiction comic. It was bad bad bad. And when Jaye Davison revealed himself as a man – hey guess what Sherlock.. we already knew!

And I won’t even stir the nest of vipers that is stereotypical depiction of ‘The Troubles’!!

Pathetic and wring.

[blacknorth]

Originally Posted by kezzy A friend of mine recently rented a cinema for his 50th birthday and showed his favourite film which was... Brief Encounter

Yeah, I suspect it all comes down to personal, which is great because it's what provides variety and diversity.

I'm a member of some music forums and the bickering that goes on there is madness - when you like something you like something and don't need any set of rules to hang your tastes on.

I forgot to add availability to the process - films which fall out of the culture because they're locked up in a vault somewhere, for whatever reason.