All the King's Men

Genre: political drama

With: Broderick Crawford (Willie Stark), John Ireland (Jack Burden), Joanne Dru (Anne Stanton), John Derek (Tom Stark, Willie's son), Mercedes McCambridge (Sadie Burke), Shepperd Strudwick (Adam Stanton, Jack's friend), Ralph Dumke (Tiny Duffy), Anne Seymour (Lucy Stark)

Director: Robert Rossen

Screenplay: Robert Rossen (based on Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize winning novel)  

Release: 1949

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.7/10

The More You Have, the More You Want

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Story-line: the American South in the late 1940s. Journalist Jack Burden is sent to Kanoma County to write about Willie Stark, a local politician who has a reputation for honesty and isn't afraid to denounce corruption in public office.  

Pluses: an impressive, Oscar-rewarded turn by Broderick Crawford (notice his conviction, charisma and firm voice), strong support from John Ireland, Joanne Dru and Mercedes McCambridge as an iron-willed political advisor, snappy and realistic dialogues, a full and flawless story providing great interplay between characters, top-notch direction and Al Clark’s expert editing.

Minuses: none I can think of... except that the movie is so truthful it's rather scary.

Comments: this Oscar-winning study of the political world – its targeted campaigns, high-risk strategies, dubious tactics and dangerous games – hasn't aged one bit in the last 70 years. It all comes down to this: you can't win without support... and support often has a price. Today, ALL THE KING'S MEN is still a remarkable motion picture... and an eye-opening lesson about populism and government.   

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Grande bouffe (la)

English title: Big Feast (The)

Genre: very black comedy 

With: Philippe Noiret (Philippe, a judge), Marcello Mastroianni (Marcello, the airline pilot), Ugo Tognazzi (Ugo, the master chef), Michel Piccoli (Michel, a TV producer), Andréa Ferréol (Andréa)

Director: Marco Ferreri

Screenplay and adaptation: Marco Ferreri and Rafael Azcona; dialogues by Francis Blanche

Release: 1973

Studio: Films 66, Mara Films, Capitolina Produzioni Cinematografiche

Rating: NC-17

MBiS score: 7.9/10

Pass the Pepto Please   

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Story-line: four friends share a secret wish: to commit suicide at a gourmet table.  

Pluses: savoury acting by a rich cast of epicureans, a daring and freewheeling screenplay that doesn't count calories, copious production values and full-bodied direction.

Minuses: certain scenes are truly disgusting and the menu includes sexual appetizers. The word ‟feast” used in the title is appropriate – same goes for the French ‟bouffe” – but it doesn’t fully prepare you for the ‟gorgetainment” you will witness.

Comments: LA GRANDE BOUFFE is not the most digestible movie ever made – nor the most edifying, since it offers little redeeming value – but, even today, it remains an audacious piece of work served with shock value and a dark streak craving for foie gras. Two words of caution: (1) never never never try this at home; (2) don't watch this one-of-a-kind film on a full stomach – the Pantagruelian final act may induce queasiness even in the bravest of movie buffs. What a ghastly gastronomic way to go!

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