The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
Written: Nov 25 '99
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: cinematography, cast, direction
Cons: studio edits, somber, melodramatic
|
|
|
| BrianKoller's Full Review: Magnificent Ambersons |
"The Magnificent Ambersons" was Orson Welles' third film for RKO, following "Citizen Kane" and "Journey Into Fear". "Citizen Kane" had given wunderkind Welles four Oscar nominations, for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Screenplay. This encouraged RKO to bet heavily on "The Magnificent Ambersons", giving it a budget of over a million dollars.
But the film did poorly in previews. It was lengthy, depressing, and melodramatic. With Welles safely out of the country, studio executives decided to drastically edit the film, and replace some scenes including the ending. Unfortunately, the studio later destroyed the third of the film that had been amputated, making a future restoration impossible. RKO's reworking of "The Magnificent Ambersons" didn't prevent it from losing considerable money. It would be another four years before Welles would direct again ("The Stranger" from 1946), although his distinctive voice would keep him in demand as an actor.
"The Magnificent Ambersons" did receive critical acclaim, even upon its release. It gathered four Oscar nominations, including "Best Picture". Time has been kind to its reputation, helped by revisionist sympathy for Welles' victimization at the hands of studio hacks, and of course the immense quality and notoriety of "Citizen Kane". Just think how great a masterpiece "The Magnificent Ambersons" would have been, had it been originally released as Welles intended!
Well, it probably would have been a better film. The dialogue and motivations of the characters would have been more clear. But it is also possible that the film would have been even more depressing, with the downfall of once-proud George hammered home with relentless repetition. At any rate, what is left of "The Magnificent Ambersons" remains a very good film, but it seems unlikely that the original version was a masterpiece that could compete with "Citizen Kane". The drawing room conversations, and discussions of changing fashions, economics and society, don't usually make for compelling cinema.
"The Magnificent Ambersons" was based on Booth Tarkington's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Several actors from Welles' Mercury Players help form the cast. The story begins circa 1890, ending some thirty years later. The Midwestern town evolves from a picturesque community into a great city, with the horse and buggy replaced by the automobile, and the small shops replaced by factories. The rise of the city parallels the fall of the Ambersons, once the wealthiest and most prestigious family in town.
The film begins with Eugene Morgan (Joseph Cotten) unsuccessfully wooing Isabel Amberson (Dolores Costello). She marries dour Wilber Minafer (Donald Dillaway) instead. She spoils their only son George, who grows up to be a proud, arrogant man (Tim Holt). Eugene makes his own fortune producing automobiles, and returns to town with a widower with lovely daughter Lucy (Anne Baxter). Lucy loves George but refuses to marry him, as he is an idler without occupation. Meanwhile, Isabel's spinster sister Fanny (Agnes Moorehead) is in love with Eugene, who still carries a torch for Isabel.
"The Magnificent Ambersons" is quite different in feel from "Citizen Kane", despite sharing much of the same cast and crew. "Kane" is more imposing and cynical, "Ambersons" is more intellectual and romanticized. George is much like Kane, impetuous, wealthy and spoiled. But Kane had an ambition to accomplish and conquer, while George just wants to be a 'gentleman'. Both characters fail, because their egos prevent introspection. The future always comes as a surprise. (71/100)
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
BrianKoller
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Brian Koller
Location: Plano, Texas
Reviews written: 873
Trusted by: 476 members
About Me:
Conservative grades, but kinder and gentler reviews.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.