My Top 10 Dramas (this week anyway)
Oct 31 '03 (Updated Nov 03 '03)
The Bottom Line Movies that made my list had at least one of two characteristics: They changed the way I view life in general or are simply superb examples of storytelling and characterization.
1. The Godfather I & II (but not III)
2. Citizen Kane
3. The Graduate
4. The Best Years of Our Lives
5. Schindler's List
6. The Usual Suspects
7. The Shawshank Redemption
8. GlenGarry Glen Ross
9. Goodfellas
10. The Exorcist
My list is probably overrepresented by more modern films but given my age, that's inevitable - I've seen more modern films to choose from. However, one of my goals is to see every film on AFI's top 100 films of the century (I'm about 60% through)so this list is likely to change. It also includes no foreign films because for me, they are like oranges to American films' apples.
1. The Godfather I and II but not III - Taken as a cohesive whole, the GF I and II work on so many levels - a meditation on the nature of power, the American Dream writ cautionary, a study of a dysfunctional family, a crime drama, the list goes on. The movie has special appeal to me being of Italian descent and sharing the same last name as a reputed (have to say reputed - who knows who's reading this)jailed mafia boss. Favorite line: "Don't ever discuss the Family's business outside the Family."
2. Citizen Kane - Sure, this one's on most people's lists but the fact that it remains there after so many years is a testament to its resonance. It continues to resound in today's world of tabloid journalism as mainstream news, increasingly monopolistic control of media and business, and with the desolation of those who win the rat race but but lose their souls ("Rosebud", indeed.)
3. The Graduate - Razor sharp acting(Dustin Hoffman has spent the rest of his career trying to top his work here without success), excellent directing, maybe the most effective use of popular music in a movie that isn't about music (try to think of this movie without thinking of Simon and Garfunkel's songs)and throw in an updated old fashion love story, social class tension, and an iconic portrayal of the "older woman" by Anne Bancroft and you have a classic. Favorite lines: "Plastics" and "Elaaaaine"
4. The Best Years of Our Lives - Post war tale of the struggle for reintegration of soldiers after WWII but you could substitute any war and it would still be relevant. Elegiac and haunting - it captures the mood perfectly that T.S. Eliot described as "Measuring out our life in coffee spoons". The darker side of "The Greatest Generation". Inspired and bold casting of an actual war veteran (who was not a professional actor) who had lost his hand and had it replaced by a metal prosthesis to play essentially himself. The Academy gave him a special Oscar for his performance. There are no "best lines" in this one - there all good.
5. Schindler's List - Not a movie I would view for pleasure or enjoyment and the movie that I have watched the least number of times on this list, but its story, its scope, its historical importance and its riveting direction and editing guarantees its presence. I first saw it in a movie theater with a friend who is Jewish, which only added to impact and aftermath of watching it. The ending(however emotionally manipulative some may believe it is)is the most powerful ending of any movie I have ever seen and one of those times when a macho man is allowed to cry.
Best line: "How much for a life?"
6.THe Usual Suspects - This one makes it on pure storytelling and memorable performances (particularly Kevin Spacey and Chaz Palmeteri). A whodunnit that most successfully lives up to the build up.
Most memorable lines: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." and "Keyser Soze"
7. The Shawshank Redemption - Another triumph of plot and performance and a movie that really stands up to repeat viewing. Tim Robbins is perfect in the title roll and Morgan Freeman gave his best performance, understated and moving. The good guys and bad guys arent too subtle in their "goodness" and "badness", but instead of making the film seem trite, it enhances the payoff at the end. Favorite line: "Either get busy living or get busy dying."
8. GlenGary Glen Ross - David Mamet's crackling diaglog amost causes sparks to fly out the characters mouths. An all star cast (Pacino, Lemmon, Spacey, Baldwin, Arkin et al)each seemingly inspired by his fellow actors, takes the audience on a roller coaster ride with no breaks until the end. Lemmon becomes his character, Shelly Levine, a desperate washed up high pressure salesman, and turns him into the second most sympathetic salesman in dramatic history, after Willy Loman. And Pacino's performance may have been even better. Best line: "What's my name? F--- you, that's my name."
9. Goodfellas - Gangster movies are probably also over-represented on my list but its my list and Scorcese's tour de force is another movie that never gets old with repeat viewings. Superb cast carries the film and the scene, where the gang, on their way to dispose of a body, sits down to spaghetti dinner with the elderly mother of Joe Pesci's character and nonchalantly borrows a butcher knife from her, is priceless. Best line: "It's a real greaseball Italian thing".
10. Exorcist - On my list even though it probably fits better in the horror genre because the movie is so good it transcends its trappings touches its viewer more deeply than a whole boatload of "summer blockbusters". Best line (so many to choose from): "Your mother is in here with us, Karras"
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