Some movies are like good wine – as the years go by, they mature into a great vintage. Take the 1969 musical “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” starring Peter O’Toole and Petula Clark. When it was first released, the world was in awe of Armstrong walking on the moon. The musical seemed quaint and old-fashioned, and was quietly acclaimed, but not much of a success.
Forty years, however, have transformed this beautiful picture into a vintage movie-screen performance.
Most people think that O’Toole was magnificent in Lawrence of Arabia and that Petula Clark was an acclaimed sixties pop-singer with one hit “Down Town.” They have probably not seen this movie. Both these actors are truly wonderful together in this film production.
O’Toole plays a stoic and dull English Schoolmaster whose life is transformed and turned upside down by a talented and lively musical hall actress played by Clark. The chemistry between the two is evident on the screen, making the James Hilton’s classic story both charming and captivating. It is a wonderful tale of true love between opposites and a lifelong vocation.
The music is not exhilarating, but the songs touch the soul. Petula’s performances are a “hit,” and it is great to see and hear a classic actor like O’Toole croon the lyrics.
Although I still think that both Robert Donat and Greer Garson played their characters outstandingly in the original black and white movie, this musical and its two main performers tell the story in a wonderful way, too.
Johnny Depp's performance as Sweeny Todd was electrifying. He was both mesmerizing and menacing in Tim Burton’s gruesome and gory adaptation of Sondheim’s musical. Depp’s singing was also superb. If he based his character Jack Sparrow from “Pirates of the Caribbean” on Keith Richards, then he must have pitched his singing voice to reflect David Bowie’s skills.
The whole movie was incredible. As usual, Burton skillfully mixed the macabre with the wonderfully weird. The whole cinematic atmosphere was like “Sin City” meets “Oliver!” and it worked beautifully. Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett was the perfect partner to Depp’s Todd. She oozed malice in a gorgeous way. The seaside scene from the musical, in the midst of all the blood and gore, was a hilarious relief. Both Depp and Carter were like Frankenstein creations. Their make up made them look like menacing mannequins, brought to life by the evil of the times.
Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall were so ugly in the movie that the audience cheered when their throats were splayed open and a fountain of blood gushed forth. Tim Burton definitely did not hold back on the special effects. The slitting of throats was so severe that I had to look away from the screen several times.
In the end the movie leaves you with that “wow” experience. You know that you’ve been to a great theatrical and cinematic experience. If Sweeney misses out on snapping up most of the Oscars, then Hollywood needs to have its own critical throat cut. “Sweeney Todd” is more than just a movie: it’s destined to become a cultural classic.
Although I wouldn’t heartily recommend this movie to every Christian, I think that it has practical applications that could be discussed by mature Christians. Evil does not triumph and the sickness of vengeful souls is never healed. Murder is not glorified and violence is not excused or justified. Love and loneliness are shown to be powerful feelings that can corrupt the human soul. If ever there was a movie made about the empty road to perdition, this is it.
If you want to see a good film this week rent or buy the DVD “Penelope.” It’s a great family movie, , very funny, and highly entertaining.
Christina Ricci is absolutely gorgeous in the movie, which is all about a young heiress who is under a family curse. Her piggish features leave her isolated in her home, whilst her parents try to find a willing husband for her.
Catherine O’Hara plays yet another quirky and obsessive mom, whilst current Scottish heartthrob James McAvoy plays a drifter who falls in love with Ricci’s Miss Piggy.
Reese Witherspoon plays a comical role as a UPS dispatch rider and she has some of the best one-liners in the movie.
The film has a talented cast and I would give it five stars for great family entertainment and its happy ending. It may not have been big at the box office, but this has the potential of becoming an annual TV movie classic.
Keira Knightley perfectly plays the Duchess of Devonshire in her new movie, "The Duchess." What lessons of faithfulness can we learn from such a movie?
Nehemiah 9:33 In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.
Yesterday, Evelyn and I went to see the new British movie called “The Duchess.” It stars Keira Knightley, who usually pouts, sighs, and overacts too much for me to enjoy any of her movies. I wanted to see this movie because I read the book a couple of years ago.
It’s all about Georgiana Cavendish, who marries young to become the Duchess of Devonshire. It takes place towards the end of the 18th century, when Britain was undergoing turmoil due to the American Revolution overseas. The movie portrays the loves and sadnesses in Georgiana’s life, as well as the impact that she had on society. Keira Knightley portrays her perfectly, whilst the scenery and costumes are absolutely amazing. It’s one of those movies that you have to see on the big screen and I give it two thumbs up.
Who was the Duchess of Devonshire? She was the Princess Diana and Elizabeth Cady Stanton of her time. She was a trend setter whose sense of fashion was copied throughout Britain. She was also a political pioneer and even although she could not vote, she made appearances and speeches at conventions, seeking to usher in a brave new world for the failing British Empire. Many of the famous Gainsborough paintings of Regency women were based upon Georgiana’s influence. Had she lived in today’s world, she would be on the cover of every fashion magazine on earth, as well as Time magazine.
The sadness in her life was that she desperately tried to be faithful to her older husband. His unfaithfulness and rakish life both shocked and scandalized her until she was forced to look for love elsewhere. She had an affair and a daughter by her lover Charles Grey, who was destined to become Prime Minister of Britain and to whom Earl Grey tea is named after. Georgiana sadly died at the young age of 49. Two of her most famous descendants were Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, both of whom were married to Prince Charles and Prince Andrew of the present British Royal Family.
So what’s this got to do with a devotional for today? I think it comes in the faithfulness factor. Georgiana was a young girl when she married, full of hopes, dreams, and expectations. Those closest to her wronged her and changed her through their unfaithfulness, which serves as a lesson for all of us.
God remains faithful to us through the power of Christ’s obedience to Him. We are often unfaithful in worshiping and revering God, but His patience is long standing and His love for us endures. Through Jesus, we can come back to God at any time, to confess our biggest faults and mistakes. With Christ beside us, we are heard, cleansed, and restored to God, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive our foolish and unfaithful ways. Cleanse us of the past and restore us to God’s favor. You are our Lord and Champion; our Savior and Great Redeemer. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.
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Scottish preacher and artist living in Tennessee...my main blog is the devotional page called "Heaven's Highway." I add my unique church art to the posts. You can see more at www.stushieart.com.
Some movies are like good wine – as the years go by, they mature into a great vintage. Take the 1969 musical “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” starring Peter O’Toole and Petula Clark. When it was first released, the world was in awe of Armstrong walking on the moon. The musical seemed quaint and old-fashioned, and was quietly acclaimed, but not much of a success.
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