What you need to do tomorrow is this. If you have Turner Classic Movies on your TV, you need to watch A Matter of Life and Death. It airs tomorrow, for the first time in quite a few months, at 2:45 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. It will air again in December, but after that, who knows how long it will be? More than likely, you have not seen this great film, even if the title is a cliche to end cliches. You need to watch this movie, and fast.
Why do you need to watch A Matter of Life and Death? Do you like movies? Do you ever feel like, as hoary an idea as it may seem, they don't make them like they used to? This is the movie for you. I won't ruin it too much, but say that it is a whimsical, supernatural romantic comedy about a man who gets a second chance at life and love. Yeah, that sounds like something you've heard and seen a hundred times before--in some ways, it is, but this film was the beginning of the idea. From filmmaking duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, A Matter of Life and Death is one of the most charming, enjoyable, sentimental, sensual, funny films I've ever seen.
I have and will continue to tell you about the Archers (Powell and Pressburger, that is) and their brilliant films; in the 1940s, few filmmakers could match their unparalleled brilliance. TCM is not particularly perfect about getting the word out. The Archers' most famous film is 1948's The Red Shoes--and make no mistake, it is a masterpiece--but it's very rare for the network to show any other of the Archers' films. The Criterion Collection has been doing a sterling job of bringing their work to DVD and Blu-ray, but this is mostly work you have to do for yourself. TCM is making it a little easier on you tomorrow. If you're at work, use your DVR. If you have a VCR, tape it. Do whatever you have to, to watch A Matter of Life and Death. It's one of the best films of the 1940s, one of the best films the Archers made, and one of the best experiences you'll have with a movie. This is what you need to do tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment